Car going to be sitting for a while...

[renemesis]

In order to save up some money I've decided to take the insurance off my car for a few months, so it'll be sitting in the driveway for that time. What precautions should I be taking so nothing goes wrong when the car is back in service? Should I be taking it for a spin around the neighbourhood every couple weeks? Disconnected the battery?

[skylinergtr]

disconnect the battery is pretty much all you can do. Since its in the driveway i recommend getting a cover for it. Drive it once in a while with permits. I plan to get an e30 later on to use as a DD then make my e34 a garage whore to only drive with permits on certain days.

[LouieD]

You could leave the battery connected and fire it up every few days. Let it idle to operating temp and maybe once a month actually drive it around the block. If you don't circulate fluids you run the risk of seals/o-rings/gaskets drying out and eventually leaking. If you don't want to take the risk of driving it, then at least jack up the rear end, put it up on jack stands and "drive it" in the drive way. Also depending on what surface it's parked on and direct sunlight, your tires may also be at risk. If you don't have neighborhood restrictions and you don't mind your car up on 4 jacks stands all the time, then I would get it off the ground and cover the tires to protect them from the sun. Wash/wax and protect like normal specially if it's out in the elements all the time. I know nothing about the weather/climate of your area, but here in SoCal I lost a set of perfectly good tires, in 3 months time, thanks to direct sunlight. My son's Mustang was parked out front for two months and an axle seal and trans gasket puked all over the driveway 5 weeks after we stopped using it.

[Binjammin]

Consider corking or capping your exhaust also, otherwise you'll be collecting far more condensation than you'd imagine.

[LouieD]

Consider corking or capping your exhaust also, otherwise you'll be collecting far more condensation than you'd imagine.
Good point. On one of my trucks a complete family of mice moved into one of the mufflers. Burnt mice smell real funky. :eek:

[Binjammin]

Good point. On one of my trucks a complete family of mice moved into one of the mufflers. Burnt mice smell real funky. :eek:

I've seen an engine where mice crawled in and found an open exhaust valve, then nested in the cylinder. Ended up with a seized engine. That was the start of the car getting a full restoration, it was a late 50's thunderbird.

[SSkoda]

being a vancouver child you'll get weather like me - cold and wet? tyres will go flat in that time - consider some bald/part worn scrap ones and some steel wheels from a local shop, or else jack up all 4 corners. Undercover is best, but if not, dont put a cover over it unless its very, very expensive (fully breatheable) or else it will make rust come quicker than without it!
leave the handbrake OFF (use chocks if not on stands) and pump the clutch pedal a couple of times a week.
run a dehumidifier in the car for a day minimum every three weeks, or more if you have known leaks. and wash the car once a month to prevent grime or fungus getting a hold anywhere...

[Steve547i]

I saw the aftermath of a family of some creature in a brand new x6
The owner had more than one car, and clearly too much money. He let it sit for a bit and when he started it the engine caught fire. They never found what it was

[LouieD]

I saw the aftermath of a family of some creature in a brand new x6
The owner had more than one car, and clearly too much money. He let it sit for a bit and when he started it the engine caught fire. They never found what it was
Mouse/rat nests. We used to do engine/vehicle wiring harnesses thanks to those rodents. They would take up home inside the valley of the V6 cars, and eat all the wiring. In many some cases if the car would start, their nesting material would ignite if you ran the motor long enough to get the stuff hot.

[MoTouring]

do you have another vehicle? If not you may want to keep a lower form of insurance, so that you have continuity. Insurance companies ding you if you have a lapse in coverage.

Oh, and it may repeat but:
stabilizer in fuel, with full tank (no condensation issues)
cork exhaust,
cover intake,
put mothballs in interior (rodents do not like the smell),
tie dryer sheets(used) throughout engine bay; have found it keeps critters from attacking wire looms,
pull sparkplugs and squirt a preserver (PB Blaster) in the cylinders
Jack up and support under the suspension(keeping load on it), and cover tires to protect from sun and cold,
dont forget the benefit of good wax job before storing.

[m60b30530i]

I've seen an engine where mice crawled in and found an open exhaust valve, then nested in the cylinder. Ended up with a seized engine. That was the start of the car getting a full restoration, it was a late 50's thunderbird.


i remember that story :lol

[David325e]

I'd take the negative batt cable off. And make sure it isn't near the terminal. Maybe add a gas treatment to the tank (can't remember the brand but theres a red fuel treatment made just for winterizing) make sure the tires are inflated and the fluids are fresh and filled. I'd drive it around the neighborhood long enough to warm it up and open it up a few times a month.If its going to sit very long consider getting the little plastic cups that hold a tire's shape.