leaving car unused for over 5 weeks ...

[woojya]

Hi all,

This is my first post since buying my Camry Sportivo V6 (2004) model last month. So far I’m very happy with this vehicle.

Just a quick question while I’m here. I am going overseas for 5 weeks during the Xmas break and I was wondering if it’s a good idea to leave the car in my garaged during this time or leave it with a close member of the family who will drive it once a while.

In other words, will leaving the vehicle used for 5 weeks be damaging?

Your input is much appreciated!

[lammydi]

Originally Posted by woojya

Hi all,

This is my first post since buying my Camry Sportivo V6 (2004) model last month. So far I’m very happy with this vehicle.

Just a quick question while I’m here. I am going overseas for 5 weeks during the Xmas break and I was wondering if it’s a good idea to leave the car in my garaged during this time or leave it with a close member of the family who will drive it once a while.

In other words, will leaving the vehicle used for 5 weeks be damaging?

Your input is much appreciated!

Welcome to TN. You're only gone for 5 weeks. You should keep it inside your garage. When you come back after 5 weeks, when you first started a car just wait till the RPM go down to normal then drive the car gently until it reach normal operating temperature. I have left cars for 2 months before and I never had any problems.

[clarkgrizwald]

what does a 2004 sportiva look like? show me some pics of it. btw leaving your car in the garage for 5 weeks will ruin it. its good practice to just disassemble the vehicle and fed ex the parts individually to wherever your going.

[lammydi]

Originally Posted by clarkgrizwald

what does a 2004 sportiva look like? show me some pics of it. btw leaving your car in the garage for 5 weeks will ruin it. its good practice to just disassemble the vehicle and fed ex the parts individually to wherever your going.

That's a good one.

[touringcamry]

You should be fine. I left my car outside in a parking lot for one month and it was just fine when I came back. Some people suggest you put the car on jack stands to prevent the tires from flatspotting, but I did not that issue even though I had low-profile tires on - I did inflate the tires to 38 PSI but I do not know if that helped because that's the pressure I liked to run in that car.

[woojya]

Originally Posted by lammydi

Welcome to TN. You're only gone for 5 weeks. You should keep it inside your garage. When you come back after 5 weeks, when you first started a car just wait till the RPM go down to normal then drive the car gently until it reach normal operating temperature. I have left cars for 2 months before and I never had any problems.

Thanks for your reply .. i think i will leave my car at home. My mind is now at peace. Cheers ...

[woojya]

Originally Posted by clarkgrizwald

what does a 2004 sportiva look like? show me some pics of it. btw leaving your car in the garage for 5 weeks will ruin it. its good practice to just disassemble the vehicle and fed ex the parts individually to wherever your going.

Thanks for the reply dude ... i will try to get a photo up as soon as i take some ... or maybe i will disassemble the vehicle and fed ex it to you

[JSM1284]

Some people like to spray a quick shot of fogging oil in the cylinders before letting it sit that long. Thats whatI do to boats when I winterize them. Also it may be wise to add a fuel stabilizer such as sta-bil(sp?) to the tank.

[TRD VVTi]

You don't need to do anything if it's only going to sit for 5 weeks.

[JSM1284]

Oh, he said 5-weeks, I thought he said months. Correction, you will be fine not doing anything.

[marc780]

I'd disconnect the battery before you go, the computer draws a little bit of voltage with the car just sitting.
Somebody at work left their solara sitting in the employee lot for a few weeks and i could glance over and see the front rotors were already rusting. So its better if the car gets driven at least once a week - i'd be happier letting somebody drive it rather than it sits idle. Even though 5 weeks isnt really all that long for anything worse to happen, either way you'll probly be fine

[woojya]

Considering the xmas break here is typically a dry summer so I am not too concerned about rusting or being exposed in harsh winter weather (as it is being garaged). Just concerned abt the condition of the engine and parts if left for a long time. By the sound of things, I don't have to worry too much.

[keisuke]

have u changed ur oil recently, if not do it just before u leave

[gdanaher]

I'd disconnect the battery or plan on charging it before you start it up the first time after your return. The minor electrical drain will take a toll after 5 weeks and leave the battery drained.

[woojya]

Originally Posted by keisuke

have u changed ur oil recently, if not do it just before u leave

It needs an oil change pretty soon ... I was going to do it when I came back.
Any reason for changing oil before I leave?