Getting car minded while going overseas

ItsHectic · 02-11-2012, 06:14 AM

Gonna have a family member mind my car while I am overseas for a while.

I dont wanna do the whole drain the fluids and put it up on bricks thing lol.

I am just wondering what has to be done, is it okay to just reposition the car each week and have it idle for 30mins and rev it a couple times or should the car actually be driven around. The temps in Sydney arnt very extreme roughly 50-97 in summer and 39-77 in winter, it will be during winter.

Tom K. · 02-11-2012, 09:40 AM

I suggest changing the oil, putting fuel stabilizer in the gas tank, inflating the tires to spec and attaching a Battery Tender type maintenance charger.

If the car is to be started at all, it should not be idled - especially for longer than a minute, much less 30. Instead it should be driven for at least 10 miles or so.

Tom

rotts4u · 02-15-2012, 08:49 PM

If you can get ethanol free gas in the tank that will help too. The ethanol stuff doesn't last but 90 days according to my new gas powered generator which specs ethanol free gas

Tom K. · 02-16-2012, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rotts4u

If you can get ethanol free gas in the tank that will help too. The ethanol stuff doesn't last but 90 days according to my new gas powered generator which specs ethanol free gas

This is true, but I've found that Sta-Bil will keep even E10 usable for over a year (but only if I remember to treat the gas).

Tom

ZIPNBYE · 02-17-2012, 05:51 AM

When stored, do not start the car. Treat the gas, Sta-bil, treat the battery, Battery Tender Jr., and leave it alone. Full wash, wax, and interior treatment, and cover.

Dackelone · 02-17-2012, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZIPNBYE

When stored, do not start the car. Treat the gas, Sta-bil, treat the battery, Battery Tender Jr., and leave it alone. Full wash, wax, and interior treatment, and cover.

^^+1

That is exactly what I did to an old Porsche of mine many years ago. I left the states not really knowing how long I would be over here... I just did the above and all was fine when I returned. Only thing I would add is that I over inflated the tires by 15 psi and I disconnected the negative post of the battery cable and fill the tank with non ethanol fuel IF you can!? I left the car parked for almost a year - no problems when I returned to start her up.

Btw... I also changed the engine oil before and after parking the car.

sochermit · 03-21-2012, 07:08 PM

I left a car, for one year, in a storage facility. The put the car up on blocks and disconnected the battery. When I returned I connected the batter, lowered the car and drove away.

I am not saying this was the best way only that this is they way I did it.

smellthebeans · 03-27-2012, 02:48 PM

Another option is to have the person tending the car drive it for 20-30 mins twice per month.

The important thing that needs to happen is a complete run cycle be completed.

I have a classic E30 back home & this is what I do, plus Dad gets to enjoy the ride.

If you cant do this, Zipnby's advice is what I would follow.

ItsHectic · 04-23-2012, 01:17 PM

I know now that I am only going for 3 weeks, dunno if it should driven or not.

Dackelone · 04-23-2012, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustMe

I know now that I am only going for 3 weeks, dunno if it should driven or not.

It will be fine, not being driven for three weeks.

02-11-2012, 06:14 AM	#1
ItsHectic But your honour it's my Affluenza I swear! 58 Rep 533 Posts Drives: at a reasonable speed Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: NSW iTrader: (0)	Getting car minded while going overseas Gonna have a family member mind my car while I am overseas for a while. I dont wanna do the whole drain the fluids and put it up on bricks thing lol. I am just wondering what has to be done, is it okay to just reposition the car each week and have it idle for 30mins and rev it a couple times or should the car actually be driven around. The temps in Sydney arnt very extreme roughly 50-97 in summer and 39-77 in winter, it will be during winter. __________________ 135i M Sport DCT. BSM/Oyster/GP trim. FBO Cobb, Bilstein EDC coilovers, M3 bushings, PSS. Knowledge of the Tapa Tapa Tapa street race start.
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02-11-2012, 09:40 AM	#2
Tom K. Major General 124 Rep 5,627 Posts Drives: '07 328iT, '13 Boxster Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	I suggest changing the oil, putting fuel stabilizer in the gas tank, inflating the tires to spec and attaching a Battery Tender type maintenance charger. If the car is to be started at all, it should not be idled - especially for longer than a minute, much less 30. Instead it should be driven for at least 10 miles or so. Tom
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02-15-2012, 08:49 PM	#3
rotts4u Private First Class 8 Rep 104 Posts Drives: Audi A3 TDI Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: chattanooga, TN iTrader: (0)	If you can get ethanol free gas in the tank that will help too. The ethanol stuff doesn't last but 90 days according to my new gas powered generator which specs ethanol free gas __________________ 2012 Audi A3 TDI www.ppiparts.com
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02-17-2012, 05:51 AM	#5
ZIPNBYE Let's save military ranks for those who earn it! 45 Rep 1,161 Posts Drives: ...on the Ragged Edge Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Edmonton, AB, Canada iTrader: (6) Garage List 2013 BMW e92 M3 Cou ... [7.50] 2013 BMW e84 X1 xDr ... [7.00]	When stored, do not start the car. Treat the gas, Sta-bil, treat the battery, Battery Tender Jr., and leave it alone. Full wash, wax, and interior treatment, and cover. __________________ Richard 2013 BMW M3 Individual -- Fire Orange (sold) 2013 BMW X1 xDrive35i M-Sport -- Valencia Orange (sold) 2011 BMW 1-series M Coupe (#205/220) -- Valencia Orange (sold) 2009 BMW 135i M-Sport Coupe -- Space Grey (sold)
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03-21-2012, 07:08 PM	#7
sochermit Lieutenant 61 Rep 574 Posts Drives: 2003 325i, 2012 135i Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Canyon Lake, TX iTrader: (0)	I left a car, for one year, in a storage facility. The put the car up on blocks and disconnected the battery. When I returned I connected the batter, lowered the car and drove away. I am not saying this was the best way only that this is they way I did it.
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03-27-2012, 02:48 PM	#8
smellthebeans Lieutenant Colonel 87 Rep 1,555 Posts Drives: LPCs Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: San Antonio iTrader: (2) Garage List 1990 325i [0.00]	Another option is to have the person tending the car drive it for 20-30 mins twice per month. The important thing that needs to happen is a complete run cycle be completed. I have a classic E30 back home & this is what I do, plus Dad gets to enjoy the ride. If you cant do this, Zipnby's advice is what I would follow. __________________ Last edited by smellthebeans; 03-27-2012 at 02:55 PM..
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04-23-2012, 01:17 PM	#9
ItsHectic But your honour it's my Affluenza I swear! 58 Rep 533 Posts Drives: at a reasonable speed Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: NSW iTrader: (0)	I know now that I am only going for 3 weeks, dunno if it should driven or not. __________________ 135i M Sport DCT. BSM/Oyster/GP trim. FBO Cobb, Bilstein EDC coilovers, M3 bushings, PSS. Knowledge of the Tapa Tapa Tapa street race start.
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