Keeping a car off the road for up to 6 months

[sparks_E39]

I have an E39 petrol, soonish all being well I'll be away overseas quite a lot, potentially half a year at a time. I want to keep the car in good condition but it may need to stay outside It will be off the road, on a drive. What could I do to ensure that it's not going to incur masses of bork? I can get someone to turn the key every so often but I'm not so sure I want anyone to drive it, the only person I'd trust to drive it is away a lot anyway.

[smileymikey]

I think the whole starting the car every couple of weeks thing is a myth. Unless you are going to run it up to full working temperature and drive it for a couple of hours at least you will be doing more harm than good creating moisture to rot out the exhaust etc etc. Your better off changing the oil and filter just before you lay it up, connect the batter to a trickle charger, a big dose of moisture repellent on the electrical connections under the bonnet. Don't pull the hand brake on leave it in gear, and chuck some of those silicon moisture absorbing bags in the passenger compartment.

Don't store it with a full tank of fuel, as unleaded goes off pretty quick, and its easier to drain five liters than eighty.

If at all possible dry storage will pay dividends, look in the back of classic car mags for storage firms that don't charge the earth

[mrmr96]

^ mostly that, except:
I WOULD brim the tank, because the tank being full will reduce the risk of condensation in the tank. Also, unleaded will not "go off" in 6 months. If you were concerned about that they you can get "fuel stabiliser" which helps prevent it.

One other thing, is to put it on axle stands, or use "tyre savers" else the tyres may flat spot at the bottom.

[ctdctd]

I once acquired a Fiat Bravo that had been stood in a garage for 16 months after the owner gave up driving.

No preparations for storage were made.

Turned up, fitted new battery, started it, drove to the dealer where they gave it an annual service.
Tyres and petrol were fine.

Keep it for four years with no problems.

[sparks_E39]

Thanks for the replies. I'm starting with the Royal Navy (date pending) and I don't think there is any provisions as far as they are concerned with keeping it somewhere.

[J4CKO]

Sic months the fuel wont go off that much, cars get left with fuel in on forecourts and in fields when new for longer than that, would leave a little in to get it started and get to a garage, then it it is going off at all you can just dilute it out with fresh.