Long term car storage - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Tobeit · 08-03-2009, 07:16 PM

I have not posted much lately, life is very busy again. As some of you might remember, I bought my Camry when I came back from working in Asia. I am now seriously considering to go back for some more years- too many good chances their I can't pass up.

I am planning to keep my house and Camry in Florida - kind of summer residence for the family to get a break from busy life in Asia.

Now to my question: How would you store the car - I want to be able to drive it when I come for vacation w/o having to go through a lot of hassle. Possible? The car will be in the garage, no frost, no really cold weather.

So, what are your recommendations? I hope not to drain any fluids....

PS: If it is too cumbersome, I might just sell it - but don't like the idea.

08-03-2009, 07:20 PM

sell it, that or drain the fluids, place it on jack stands and cover the garage floor with a vapor barrier.

Tobeit · 08-03-2009, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pedron

sell it, that or drain the fluids, place it on jack stands and cover the garage floor with a vapor barrier.

Thx, I get the reason for draining and putting it up on jacks (just don't like it) ..but why putting a vapor barrier on the floor? I have a closed garage with concrete floor?

***Punks_Not_Dead5*** · 08-03-2009, 07:45 PM

don't put the parking brake on.........i made that mistake, i just got home from a week in Cali, and i left it on and now it's stuck....ugh!

08-03-2009, 07:50 PM

i think u should part out the car n sell it since u wont be here that much, idk just my opinion

workerant · 08-03-2009, 07:54 PM

Sell it.. and.. what is that thing that's like renting the car? This way the car don't need maintenance or other stuff.

***darksparkz*** · 08-03-2009, 07:54 PM

I'd say don't keep it on jack stands, just inflate the tires to around 40psi or so, keep the exhaust holes covered with a sock or something (Make sure to leave a sticky note so you remember to uncover them), and just leave all windows closed and do not engage parking brake.

Have someone start it every now and then, starting it and driving it around the block for 10 minutes at least once or twice a month will do great.

Otherwise, just do oil changes and fluid level checks everything you come back to drive it.

GeneW1 · 08-03-2009, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tobeit

I have not posted much lately, life is very busy again. As some of you might remember, I bought my Camry when I came back from working in Asia. I am now seriously considering to go back for some more years- too many good chances their I can't pass up.

I am planning to keep my house and Camry in Florida - kind of summer residence for the family to get a break from busy life in Asia.

Now to my question: How would you store the car - I want to be able to drive it when I come for vacation w/o having to go through a lot of hassle. Possible? The car will be in the garage, no frost, no really cold weather.

So, what are your recommendations? I hope not to drain any fluids....

PS: If it is too cumbersome, I might just sell it - but don't like the idea.

In addition to the good suggestions of elevating the car on jackstands (to reduce the likelihood of flat spots on the tires) and adding fresh oil each time that your store it consider these ideas...

1. Put "Stabile" in the gas tank. This substance is used to reduce aging in gasoline and diesel fuel. Do this before you intend to store it and drive it about to let it get into the fuel system.

http://www.parkeryamaha.com/fuelconditionerqanda.aspx

If you can find any you can add BHT to the gasoline. This will accomplish roughly the same effect. I'd guess a few grams per gallon of gasoline in the tank will do the job.

You car automatically works to make the fuel system air tight, even "testing" it from time to time. It's probably water tight too.

2. Remove the battery, place it on a non-conductive and dry surface, and consider putting a solar trickle charger on it. Do not put it in the sun. The charger will use what ambient light is around to keep the battery charged. This will also frustrate joy riders if they break into your garage.

3. Provided that your systems are reasonably air tight I wouldn't sweat AT fluids or other lubricants.

4. Make a point of insuring that your car cannot be flood damaged and if it can be flood damaged be sure to get flood insurance for your home and possessions. "Flood Cars" are never ever quite right after their exposure and submersion in water.

Hope that this helps

Gene

workerant · 08-03-2009, 08:24 PM

pay me and I'll use it for U until you come back. LOL

GT-R · 08-03-2009, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TTM77

Sell it.. and.. what is that thing that's like renting the car? This way the car don't need maintenance or other stuff.

It's leazzee yo.

thrawnis · 08-03-2009, 08:27 PM

If you were just going to be gone for a year, storing it (draining the fluids and putting the car on jackstands) makes sense. I'm not sure how to deal with the battery and whether you should disconnect it and/or use a trickle charger. Also, the tires will likely be useless by the time you get back so you might as well just sell the tires as used before you store it.

But any more than a year and you will be losing quite a bit of value on the car. Sell the car now and get a newer car when you get back..

workerant · 08-03-2009, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GT-R

It's leazzee yo.

Always drive new car and return when the OP is not here to use it.

CamrySExxx · 08-03-2009, 09:26 PM

nothing crazy, its not like the car is gonna fail on you.

dont put it on jack stands though. As stated just overinflate the tires and dont put the ebrake on.
Make sure to FILL the tank up with gas. Also I believe you need to add an additive to the gas. Can't remember, but if you dont the gas ends up deteriorating.

Cover openings such as exhaust and intake.

And just throw a car cover over it.

You should be good.

Oh, throw in 1 or 2 things of baking soda in the cabin of the car (trunk too if you wish)

***lammydi*** · 08-03-2009, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thrawnis

If you were just going to be gone for a year, storing it (draining the fluids and putting the car on jackstands) makes sense. I'm not sure how to deal with the battery and whether you should disconnect it and/or use a trickle charger. Also, the tires will likely be useless by the time you get back so you might as well just sell the tires as used before you store it.

But any more than a year and you will be losing quite a bit of value on the car. Sell the car now and get a newer car when you get back..

I agreed that you should sell it. Cars in general are depreciated theirs value everyday. So you just losing money by having it sit in a garage + insurance!!!
Sell it and when you come back... buy the Gen7 V6 SE!!!

GT-R · 08-03-2009, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lammydi

I agreed that you should sell it. Cars in general are depreciated theirs value everyday. So you just losing money by having it sit in a garage + insurance!!!
Sell it and when you come back... buy the Gen7 V6 SE!!!

NONONO!!!

Just send it to lammy's house, and we'll beat the hell out of that car while you're gone.

Unless Lammy don't share well with me...