Laying her up for 5 months

skipperstu

skipperstu

skipperstu

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22 Jun 2011
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Hello - I have a 2001 318i.

I am going to be abroad for 5 months.

My plan was just to inflate the tyres up to around 45psi and leave it there. I hear mixed things about disconnecting the battery (some say the car can manage its power itself and so don't disconnect or you have to reset the radio) whilst others say it will be flat etc.

Engine - some say to tell my parents to start it and run it from time to time whilst others say that starting the engine for a short period will do more harm than good? So is the solution to just tell them if they're going to get it out to move it around to do that but then to leave the engine on for at least 1 hr afterwards? But then I've heard idling for long periods is bad too! The other option is just to leave it completely alone!

Fuel - some say brim it to stop condensation others say leave it empty to stop fuel bug.

Any other advice?

Thanks!

Stu
 
You could get one of those battery minder thingies. Think they just top your battery up every now and then to stop it going flat. Worth looking into.
 
5 months is no great length of time.

Overinflate tyres, disconnect battery, take for a good drive when you get back.
 
If I was leaving my car for five months, I'd probably chuck it on axle stands and make sure the handbrake was left off.

As for the battery, I'd try leaving it connected with one of these battery managers or a trickle charger (even a solar one would do the trick!) personally.
 
Disconnect battery.
Handbrake off, chock wheels.

That's all I did to my S2000 for 6 months. On return the battery had juice, she started instantly and did not lose any PSI in any tyre.

Largely a miracle but for 5 months I would not be inclined to do anything more than the above.

On return I did put £5 worth of fresh fuel in from a jerry can just in-case though.
 
I have just returned to my car that has been left for 8months. Tyres are great, no loss in PSI and handbrake was on but doesnt seem to have done any damage. My battery was flat, but it was an old battery anyways so I replaced it. It started great and runs fine. Thats on a Primera GT btw.
 
Rich_L said:
I'd just let my parents run it to the shops at the weekend or something :p
Click to expand...

This.

I left my (9 years old at the time) micra stood still for 10 weeks and it started like I had used it the day before, even though nobody had used it.

If your parents take it out for a spin (say a 10 mile one so the alternator does some work and the engine warms out) every month then I see no issue.
 
In it's life it could have been sat on an airfield completely unloved for upto 12months anyway, oh yeah, then ragged to the redline the second it was turned on to load onto the transporter :) Don't sweat the small stuff!
 
I leave mine for 4 weeks at a time. This is the first time Ive done it but I have to leave the handbrake on as my drive is on a slope. Hope its ok when I get back!
I get my brother to run it once a week so dont think there should be much of a problem.
 
if you can leave it somewhere where you can leave the handbrake off but lock toeing eye to a post of summat. reason being after 5 months brakes will seize on and you may have trouble initially getting it freed off.

it's only 5 months but still.... if he brakes were warm when you left the car and apply the handbrake to it then they will seize...
or park it up, leave it with handbrake off for a day(to ensure brakes are cold) then just apply handbrake on bottom click. :)
 
Yep leave handbrake off and don't worry too much. Try and leave it out of sight so some scrote doesn't realise it has been left and tries to pinch it!
 
Same as above, inflate tyres, release handbrake.

Also would brimming the fuel tank help against moisture building up in the tank?

Make sure the windows are up and the car has nothing inside that will cause problems like food or damp clothes.
 
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