Jn_small
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What should I do with a car that is going to be undriven over a winter?

This summer, I moved to Maine. Unfortunately, because of a family medical emergency, I had to fly back to the west coast and I won't be able to go get my car (which I hope to keep for a long time) until the spring. Should I

A) Ask a friend to put the car in a car storage unit

B) Ask a friend to cover it with a tarp and let it sit all winter

C) Talk a friend into driving it at least once a week

I know someone who completely ruined a car by letting it sit, unused, for several years - and that was in temperate Seattle! I'm worried about what a Maine winter will do to my poor abandoned baby.

JN asked in Cars & Motorcycles about 1 year ago | Report

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  • Avatar_default
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    Option B minus the tarp is probably the best option. Letting a car sit for a few months isn't a problem at all. Just make sure the gas tank is full to prevent condensation in the tank. Fuel stabilizer is cheap peace of mind, but probably isn't necessary for a few months.

    Also, don't bother putting a tarp over it-- unless you have an actual purpose-made car cover, a tarp will just trap moisture and scratch the paint. Just leaving a car out in the winter isn't bad for it at all-- it's driving around in the snow and sand and salt that ruins cars out in snow country.

    Pulling the battery and storing it inside is also definitely a good idea, although if it's a few years old, you might just plan on getting a new one when you get back. If nothing else, you should just disconnect the (-) cable. Also, if the car is due for an oil change, do that now.

    Jack answered in Cars & Motorcycles about 1 year ago | Report
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  • 1061873134_seconddoc_small
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    I would suggest a combo of options A and C. I know that I take Bessie out at least a couple of times a month. It's not just the fuel but you want the engine to turn over for a while to keep the valves oiled as well.

    Option B is probably okay but without knowing where you live it's kinda hard to say.

    The Doctor answered in Cars & Motorcycles about 1 year ago | Report
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  • 2008_0522stuff0016_small
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    Have someone park it inside if possible, but also have that someone fill the gas tank and add Sta-Bil to it so that the fuel doesn't gum up your entire fuel system.

    You might also consider having that friend pull the battery from the car, charge it, and then store it inside (where it can't freeze) overwinter, but this isn't as necessary as the fuel stabilizer.

    Griffin answered in Cars & Motorcycles about 1 year ago | Report
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