If you're planning on leaving for a while or relocating, you may not be using your car for a long time - or at all. In this case, you can just forget about it and leave it to collect dust and weather on the driveway. However, if you only have to keep it on standby for a specific period of time, say more than a couple of weeks, you should use some precautions to keep it properly. Otherwise you may find yourself with mechanical problems.
Steps
Step 1. Change the oil and filter
If the machine is stored for an ongoing period of time, say years, talk to the mechanic to have additives added to the oil that may include a mild caustic cleaner.
Step 2. Fill the tank
Condensation in the tank is a problem for vehicles that remain stationary for a long time, and it is best to use premium quality alcohol-free petrol to avoid gaps where condensation can accumulate. However, over time the gasoline becomes thick so it is better to add a stabilizer than those used for lawn mowers and other garden tools. In some areas, premium quality gasoline does not contain ethanol which is corrosive and can release water if left in storage for long periods. Check with your gas station attendant.
Step 3. Make sure the coolant levels are correct
Step 4. Inflate the tires
If you put the car away for the winter in a cold climate, check the pressure. Inflating the tires a little more can help prevent crushing. Once you get the car back, expect some hard tires, at least until you have covered twenty kilometers.
Step 5. Wash and polish the car
Remove dirt, especially from the rims. Clean the inside thoroughly, especially removing food residues that can attract animals. Remove the mats to prevent them from developing mold. Do not use products such as Armor All® or similar: they contain water which could get trapped in the passenger compartment.
Step 6. Consider spreading a vapor-proof plastic sheet on the floor if you put the car indoors
This will prevent vapors from collecting in an unheated garage and will more easily discover any fluid leaks when you resume moving it.
Step 7. Roll down a window
If you put the car indoors, roll down a window a little, but not enough for small animals to enter. Raise the top if you have a convertible. Slip a rag into the exhaust pipe to avoid nests, then cover it with a net (a square piece of a couple of centimeters will do). Some suggest using strong smelling products like soap or mothballs to keep animals away, but in this case the smell would be absorbed by the car.
Step 8. If you intend to leave the machine to rest for more than a month, use a battery charger
They are small and only activate periodically. For a short time (a few months) they can be connected to the battery inside the hood. For long periods and only if you know the principles of mechanics, remove the battery and connect it to the charger outside the hood. If you choose to do this, you should first check with the manufacturer that removing the battery does not affect the on-board computer or you will have to write down all the necessary codes for stereo, anti-theft etc.
Step 9. Place a plastic on the windshield under the wipers to prevent their rubber from sticking to the glass
Even better, remove the wipers entirely and store them in a dry place (perhaps along with the battery and mats). If you remove the wipers, put a piece of plastic on the end of the arm to prevent it from inadvertently scratching the glass. You can also leave them and cover them with regular plastic. If it sticks to the glass, you can still remove it by gently scratching. Alternatively, if your car has those windshield wipers that open out of the way, you can put them in the "open" position.
Step 10. If you have some knowledge of mechanics, remove the spark plugs and spray some oil into the cylinders to avoid rust, then put the spark plugs back
The special "mist" oil for boats in storage will also be good for the car. Use a candle lube on the filaments to prevent them from sticking. It will facilitate disassembly when it is time to replace the spark plugs themselves. If you prefer to avoid this procedure, there are non-alcoholic additives that can be added to cover the upper parts of the engine.
Step 11. If the machine is stopped for a long period, it is recommended to place it on jack stands to avoid crushing in the tires
The "height" in this case depends on the type of tires: the bias-ply ones should be raised, like the high-profile ones. A "classic" car with chunky bias-ply tires should be raised if it is kept stationary for more than a month, while a modern sports car with low profile radials can stay that way during the winter.
Step 12. Lower the handbrake
If left pulled, the brake pads can stick to the discs. Put blocks behind the tires to keep them from moving, which is more effective than the handbrake.
Step 13. Put a note on the steering wheel, indicating which steps you have taken (rag in the tailpipe, removal of the mats, battery, etc.)
). If you reset your machine in the spring, make sure you do the opposite of every operation you have performed, checking everything you have marked. The list must be as detailed as possible: "rags in the pipes" can mean many things and lead you to forget something.
Step 14. Lock
If someone tried to steal the car, you'd be safe.
Step 15. Use a cover only if you keep it outside or in a dusty place
Leaving the car open indoors will allow moisture to escape on bad weather days.
Advice
- Before removing the spark plugs be sure to use a compressed air gun to clean any residue from the housings and prevent them from entering the combustion chamber.
- Lead acid batteries should not be kept indoors. Under certain conditions they can release toxic or explosive gases.
- If the machine has been standing still for more than three months, change the oil and filter again before putting it back into operation. Sometimes the oil decomposes even if the car is indoors.
- It is not unusual for rust to develop on the brake discs. Often it is just a cosmetic problem that is eliminated after a few braking. The most stubborn rust can be worn by the brakes after approximately 15 braking at a moderate pace (45-60 km / h).
- When applying anti-seize lubricant to spark plugs, try to apply it only to the wires and not all over. A drop or two covers a lot, so don't overdo it.
- Putting the battery on concrete will not drain it any faster than other surfaces. A battery discharges over time, not contact. An unused battery should not last more than six months without being recharged.
- If you still have access to it while you keep the machine at rest, squeeze the brakes and clutch once a month to prevent the sealants from sticking to the hydraulic components.
- If you have to use a cover, usually in the case of outdoor spaces and dusty places, use a ventilated one that allows the elimination of steam. Usually for these covers are used breathable materials similar to those used for sports cars.
Warnings
- Add stabilizer to gasoline. If you don't, you may have engine trouble and the car may not start. You can minimize the problem by leaving only a minimal amount of petrol in the tank, adding the stabilizer and, once you get the car back on the road, filling up the tank. Obviously you have to calculate if it suits you, considering the condensate in the tank.
- Watch out for rodents and other small animals that may choose your vehicle as a lair. You could put traps around the car and, if possible, check them periodically. Straps and seals are the most affected by rodents. The seats and the ventilation system, on the other hand, are ideal for parasites.
- Remember the wipers. If you raise them and by chance they snap against the glass they could break it, especially if it is cold. Wrap them with a cloth and tape them, then replace them as normal. This way you will also avoid rust.
