What can I do to stop the car deteriorating?
Discussion
We have had a 1998 Toyota Corolla for a fair few years as a family hack. It’s a mint car, one previous owner, now done 55000 miles . It’s been well looked after, it’s been well over serviced, new cam belt and clutch last year (clutch had gone heavy for some reason, it was like new when I took it out).in fact I probably spent more time on it than I should have, but I enjoy tinkering and have time on my hands…
Thing is I got bored with it and last month bought another car and have taken the corolla off the road. It’s now sitting on the drive and I had thought about selling it… However, it’s not really worth much, but as a “spare car” for any of our kids it would be invaluable to be able to just give them a car quickly in the event of a problem with theirs… They all run older cars and are dependant on them…
I can’t garage it as I don’t have room in the garage with the other cars in there. There is not a speck of rust anywhere on it, and I fully Waxoyled it a few years ago, even though these don’t tend to rust.
So the plan is to leave it on the drive... Run it up now and then, Drive it up the quiet private road at the side of the house... Is there anything I should do to slow any deterioration?
Thing is I got bored with it and last month bought another car and have taken the corolla off the road. It’s now sitting on the drive and I had thought about selling it… However, it’s not really worth much, but as a “spare car” for any of our kids it would be invaluable to be able to just give them a car quickly in the event of a problem with theirs… They all run older cars and are dependant on them…
I can’t garage it as I don’t have room in the garage with the other cars in there. There is not a speck of rust anywhere on it, and I fully Waxoyled it a few years ago, even though these don’t tend to rust.
So the plan is to leave it on the drive... Run it up now and then, Drive it up the quiet private road at the side of the house... Is there anything I should do to slow any deterioration?
If you can't put it on axle stands, pump the tyres up really hard and roll it about regularly so the tyres don't flat spot.
If possible put it on a trickle charger.
When you do run it, run it for a good length of time so you don't leave loads of condensation in the exhaust.
Don't leave the handbrake on.
If possible put it on a trickle charger.
When you do run it, run it for a good length of time so you don't leave loads of condensation in the exhaust.
Don't leave the handbrake on.
If you're going to put it on axle stands, put them under the hubs not the sills. Modern cars' suspension bushes are not fully free to rotate but rather work by twisting the rubber; they are clamped to be under no stress with the car's normal weight on them - if you leave it jacked up with the suspension hanging loose, the bushes will be under constant stress and will perish significantly faster.
I'd probably leave it on its wheels. If it's going to be sitting there for a few years, the tyres will almost certainly need replacing when it's going to be used again anyway.
I'd probably leave it on its wheels. If it's going to be sitting there for a few years, the tyres will almost certainly need replacing when it's going to be used again anyway.
RicksAlfas said:
If you can't put it on axle stands, pump the tyres up really hard and roll it about regularly so the tyres don't flat spot.
If possible put it on a trickle charger.
When you do run it, run it for a good length of time so you don't leave loads of condensation in the exhaust.
Don't leave the handbrake on.
Actually really informative advice, for anyone. Thanks!If possible put it on a trickle charger.
When you do run it, run it for a good length of time so you don't leave loads of condensation in the exhaust.
Don't leave the handbrake on.
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