Well I'm off to Ft. Jackson, SC next week for basic training and the car is staying in my mom's garage. I told her to start it for about 10 minutes once a week with the air conditioner ON. What else should I do to "prep" the car?

 

you might want to buy an additive for the fuel so the fuel do not go stale

 

Well, if someone else(family members) is going to periodically drive the car from time to time for you, then only the basic normal maintenance needs to be done(premium octane, oil change, tire pressure) when needed. But if the car is NOT going to be driven, stuff needs to be done.

I've had my Camaro stored here in Illinois since late November and will be pulling it out in late March(four solid months) and here is what I did along with many other guys I know who did the same stuff.

Changed the oil and oil filter out.

Washed and polished the car/rims. Also cleaned the interior too. Even put a couple cups of baking soda in the car which helps absorb moistures and odor build-up.

Put some STABIL in a FULL tank of gas so the octane won't go bad.

Put some mini-carpeting square rugs under each of the tires so that the tires won't flatspot. Also pumped the tires up to 36psi(can go higher).

Hooked the car up to a trickle charger so that the battery won't die. All I did was leave the hood slightly open with the wiring connected to the battery(still in car). The charger itself sits on a box right in front of the car.

Covered the car with a good quality car cover that won't scratch it.

I however have chosen not to start the car during this storage period. After everything I've read and heard from others who've done this, I'm convinced that it is better for the car to just sit and not be started at all. But everyone has a different opinion on this, so we're all going to do what we want with our car's anyways. Although six months might be a bit long for the motor to not be run. Just make sure that the car is actually driven up to full operating temp if it is started up.

And after storage, I'll just re-change the oil and oil filter, and go from there.

Hope this helps,

Mike

2002 M6 Z28

 

Mike,

Awesome info... I think I will keep rags underneath the tires and keep them around 38-40 psi. The fuel additive I will buy today and like I said, mom will be running the car for ten minutes a week (ten minutes should be good operating temp).

Also, FYI, I've been told to run the a/c system to keep it lubricated internally. So the seals and such won't dry out and potentially malfunction when you turn the system on again. But thanks again for the info, I will cry myself to sleep each night missing my car in boot camp.

 

Your welcome. Will your mom actually be driving the car? A few trips up and down the road or around the block would really help after the car ran for a little while. That would be a lot better for it than just letting it sit there and idle for several minutes. Then again, I wouldn't exactly trust my mom to take out my Z(even for a short time). Thats why I bought a stick! So I wouldn't blame you if you didn't want her or anyone else to drive it. But either way, your car will be fine(I just choose not to start up mine during this period).

Never heard about the A/C thing, but good information. And I can honestly say my Camaro is a bigger part of my life than I realized after being without out it now for over two months. So I know how your gonna feel.

Good luck in the military.

 

Yea, don't get me wrong, she's a good driver. But the idea of ANYONE driving my car around while I'm 2000 miles away makes my skin crawl.. So the idling will have to make due.. Thanks again bro!

Mark

 

Why do you need to change the oil and oil filter BEFORE storing the car, then change it afterward? Why not leave the old oil and filter on, then change to new oil and filter when you take the car out of storage?

Also, I don't have a trickle charger, but will disconnecting the battery help not drain the battery? I disconnected the battery on my bros stored Camaro because we don't have one of those chargers. We used to start it periodically, but now we don't (97 Camaro)

 

if you dont have a charger like that and dont want to get one and not starting it well than yes disconecting the battery prob is the best way to go. but even dissconected it can still lose charge not only that if he disconnectes it his mom wont be able to start it..... and if his mom is like most moms she wont know how to connect the battery up when it comes time to start it...... good thought though

 

Ok look if you want to store it the right way than you should buy the stuff for the gas. Park the car where you want to store it (not outside). Put the car on jackstands so the car is off the ground to preserve the tires and rims. Pull all the spark plugs out and put a teaspoon of oil in each one of the cylinders a box of baking soda in the car. I also think they have an additive for the auto tranny. Than when you get back change all fluids and filters I think I mentioned everything.

 

never put the car on jackstands for such a prolonged period, and the flatspots are no big deal, they go away shortly after driving.
also i have heard of people going as far as to put sheets of drywall under their cars to keep the moisture from rusting the car.
theres a lot of stuff you can do, but how much are you willing to do is the question.

 

Just wondering why not put the car on jackstans? I saw it on car and driver that this is what you should do if you are going to store your car for a long period of time..... I am just passing the info....

 

OK, I just thought of another question...

When it is time to start the car up again and bring it out of hibernation, should I...[list=1][*]Change the oil[*]Start the car[/list=1]orrrrr[list=1][*]Start the car[*]Drive it around for a little bit to warm stuff up[*]Change the oil[/list=1]

 

this was discussed in a magazine somewhere, and also i know quite a few people who must store their beautys annually, ( living only a mile from the famous woodward dream cruise location) they all say not to store it on jack stands and for that reason.


the cars suspension and what not is meant to be on all four wheels all the time whether on the move or at rest. you are just introducing new elements of strain by putting it on jack stands.

 

If you change the car's oil immediately before storage then you do not have to change the oil right after storage(but I would still change the oil filter). This can save you a few bucks. But I'm still going to change my oil since I'll be doing other things with my car anyways.

Yep, leaving cars on jackstands for long periods of time is not good(stretches out the suspension too much). Just use carpeting like I said while inflating up the tires real good. It will help prevent flatspoting and even then, radial tires with minor flatspoting will quickly go away after a few miles of driving.

 

i wouldnt worry about it too much....

put carpet under wheels and put a cover over the car