Car in storage

[kerr004646]

I am going away for a yr, I will defo need my car when I get back, but wont be able to afford to get a new one, so will have to store mine. Its a Citroen Saxo VTR 2001. Will it be ok after a yr - ie will it start? Will the brakes be ok? Or should I leave the car in gear with the handbrake off? With it being an old car can anyone offer any advise please.

Thanks :-)

[bite-me]

cars are really designed to be driven,

storing long term doesnt do a lot of good
as a minimum I would do a service,
oil change and all fluids
full vallet in side and out,
leave one window slighly open and put an air freshner in and some moth balls
possibly a plate with a few of thoes gell things which absorb water moirture from the air
and cover it up
(disconnect battery but leave in situ)

place must be cool, dark (out of the sun) and dry

then hope !

[slipstream 1985]

sell it. its not likes its rare?

[Ponk]

I'd also put it up on axle stands so the tyres don't deform.

[kerr004646]

Have any of u guys come to terms with the fact I dont want to sell my car, thats why I asked for advice...Not smart comments! So I know cars are made to be driven, and I know I may as well sell it, but maybe I dont want to! Thats why I asked for advice!

[AndrewW-G]

kerr004646 said:

Have any of u guys come to terms with the fact I dont want to sell my car, thats why I asked for advice...Not smart comments! So I know cars are made to be driven, and I know I may as well sell it, but maybe I dont want to! Thats why I asked for advice!

Get somebody to drive it round the block once a month and it will be fine. If you cant do that, hand brake off, in gear, with chocks infront and behind all 4 wheels, make sure the petrol tank is almost dry (unleaded degrades with time) put more air in the tyres, disconect the battery, leave a note on the steering wheel advising you to put fuel in and check the tyre pressure before driving, then put a cover over it (including the wheels if outside)

You may also want to come to terms with the fact that people will post funny comments, ignore the ones you dont like and be careful not to come across as being rude

Edited by AndrewW-G on Thursday 12th November 09:58

[exitwound]

If you can't get anyone to run it for you, sell the battery to a mate, stick 40psi in the tyres, and garage it if you can. Maybe put a cover over it too. It should still be fine after a year or so.

If you want, pull the spark plugs and squirt loads of WD40 down the plug holes and leave them open. This stops condensation from building up in the bores.

[kerr004646]

Oh thanks so much for the comments guys, yeah maybe I should watch what I should say lol, but I only got funny comments that didnt help at all. The last two comments are great tho, cheers guys. :-)

[anonymous-user]

When I store my race car, I always let it run out of petrol. Modern stuff evaporates and leaves crudge everywhere.

[M3 Mitch]

I would suggest change the engine oil soon before storing it, top off all fluids, put a Battery Tender on the battery, if possible put it up on stands or put extra air in the tyres, put some stabilizer in the fuel, here in the States we have Sta-Bil, you probably have something similar.

Store it somewhere rodents won't mess with it. Definitely don't have any sort of grass seeds, etc. near the car.

Honestly if you do the above it should be fine.

I would not suggest having someone start it occasionally or just drive it around the block. Ideally it would go out for a 10 to 20 mile jaunt weekly to monthly, but if this is not practical, I'd just leave it sit. Would be good if someone could turn the engine and actuate the fuel pump, yet not start it (I don't know Citron well enough to suggest how to do this, but if it's possible would be good)

[kerr004646]

Cheers, all your comments are great and noted.. :-)

[bite-me]

[b]as a minimum I would do a service,
oil change and all fluids
full vallet in side and out,
leave one window slighly open and put an air freshner in and some moth balls
possibly a plate with a few of thoes gell things which absorb water moirture from the air
and cover it up
(disconnect battery but leave in situ)[/b]

kerr004646 said:

Oh thanks so much for the comments guys, yeah maybe I should watch what I should say lol, but I only got funny comments that didnt help at all. The last two comments are great tho, cheers guys. :-)

[turbo-ww]

Leave it parked somewhere nice, Southall, or anywhere in South London.

Make sure you have comprehensive insurance.

So when you come back, make a claim and buy another!

Simples

[f1nn]

It'll be fine, cars sit on dealers forecourts for longer these days.

[thepeoplespal]

worth doing a SORN as well, don't wanna get fined for not being taxed.

[fast_eddie]

Wait a sec, I have had my car in storage for about 5 years. I took the top off my webbers and cleaned the filters, bought a new battery, put in fresh super and oil, pumped the pedal 20 times and cough cough bang bang she was alive!

Store it dry and empty and you will be fine...

[Neil MG]

Really we need to know where you are going to store your car, as the advice should be entirely different depending upon whether it is on the drive or in the garage and whether you have access to power or not. If you have a garage with power, your car can be waiting for you, pretty much just as you left it. See here:
http://is.gd/5lD3i
If your car is outside I would recommend that you do NOT use a cover. Condensation can be a big problem, as well as chaffing on the paint from the wind.

[sonny.j.h]

Most points have been covered already, I did come across these cool devices, they are called Tyre shoes, basically blocks hat you drove onto, the blocks are curved out (Conclaved) so the tyre sits in them, this is to stop the tyre from forming flat spots. rather nifty. http://permabag.com/index.php?locus=http://permaba...