Hey Guys,

I'm going to Iraq (again) next month for 12 to 15 months. I'm leaving my car in my garage. My son will be able to start it and move it in and out of the garage but I won't let him drive it on the road (he's 16). I just put Mobile One in it. What other things should I do for long term storage.

Hopefully I'll have internet access over there so i can get my TMS fix.

 

Nothing to offer as far as your car goes - I just wanted to thank you for your service to our country.

 

If you look in the Canadian forum or the Car Care forum it'll give you some more ideas.

When I store my car during the winter:
1) I put in Fuel stabilizer in the tank (double the dose - rated for 2 years storage) - I use Stabil - If during the winter you'll want a full tank to reduce the moisture forming in the gas.

2) I increase the air in the tires by about 5 psi. Current tires do not get flat spots like the old days - but you'll might notice a bit of bumpy ride for a few miles but it'll come out.

3) If he does start it let run for a while - as starting and shutting it off right away can be worse for the car.

4) When you come back... Change the oil before driving the heck out of it

Also if possible put a fresh coat of wax/polish on her, and put a car cover on to reduce the dust build up.

My car is in a heated warehouse for 5 months with the battery disconnected. And it starts right up in the spring without even charging the battery.

Good luck in Iraq

 

Hey Kirby,

First off....thanks for your service to our country.....

I store my car in winter as well....along with the tips above, a couple others, I place an open box of moth ***** under the car, right on the garage floor, to keep the critters away from it....seems to work real well and you can't smell it in the garage, unless you get down on the floor, and the car doesn't smell like moth ***** either. Keeps the mice and other pests away since they can't stand the smell down under there.....
I change my oil right before I store the car and top off the fuel tank right to the top....add the Stabil....remove the battery and hook it to a trickle charger.....I place some rechargeable desiccant packs inside the car to absorb any moisture that gets in the car.....close it all up and put the cover on it.....I don't start mine until spring, so it sits for 5 months and looks the same as I left it when I pull the cover off....I usually dump in some fresh oil before I start it in the spring and I get the oil changed right away when it comes out of storage.....
Others here may chime in, but I'm not sure it's even necessary to start the car at all, but I've never stored it for a year or more like you are.....

that would drive me nuts....

good luck, and stay safe......hags1

 

Seems like all the bases are being covered for storage. Being started and moved often i wont suggest the normal removal of the battery and such.

God Speed friend. Thanks for your service.

 

Personally, I'd vote against starting it and running it in place once in a while. If you don't want it to be driven, prepare and store it properly for non-use.

To me, just starting it once in a while amounts to superstition...the battery will not get charged properly, mechanical components (i.e. transmission, rear end) will not get lubricated and it won't get hot enough to burn moisture out of the exhaust.

Just my two cents - YMMV.

Best of luck to you over there.

 

Thanks for serving our country, and god bless you and your family.
Maybe a fuel stabilizer would be a good idea.

 

Best of luck in Iraq. Thanks for serving our country. My brother in law who is currently in the Navy and is retiring with over 30 years in the service. May God bless you and keep you safe until you return to your family and your car!

 

thank you kirby for all you do.

i will offer another solution. ill drive up this weekend and keep the car in great running order. the fuel will be changed on a regular basis.. oil will be changed every 3k miles with M1 full syn.. and i will replace the tires at the end of your tour just think of the money you will save on sta-bil

 

Great idea but I think I'll pass.

Thanks everyone for your kind words and suggestions/recommendations

 

I would agree 100%, that's why I recommended that if he must start it, let it run for a while (most say until it's up to operating temperating temperature).

However... with the Stabil in the tank, I think it'll be fine to sit - RUn it a few miles to get the Stabil in all the fuel components.

 

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It takes at least 20 min to heat up enough to vaporize the moisture.
You can feel the heat at the end of the exhaust pipes.
Moving it in the driveway will throw some lubrication on the gears.
The battery will get charged enough in 20 mins. if you do it often enough (with my car once a month).