Leaving the car to stand for a month or more

mccarf

mccarf

mccarf

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Hey guys I've always thought that I should run the car near empty before leaving it to stand for a month or two. Then when you get back into it you can brim it with fresh petrol and it's good to go.

Having done some reading on the AA website it says - "Unless you are able to ensure a dry stable environment, for periods over a month or so it is best to store a vehicle with a full tank of fuel to reduce the space for water to condense."

then later on - " Stale fuel could be a problem – hopefully there's not too much in the tank so that fresh fuel can be added and can get through to the engine"

So which of these is right? Not sure if it matters, but fuel is Shell V-Power, the car is an Octavia vRS tfsi. It will be left to stand outside on the road.
 
Park it, forget about it. That's all you need to do. A month or two is nothing really. I'd leave the handbrake off though, and leave it in gear.

Can you not park it off the road though?
 
I think stale fuel will be the least of your worrys.

Depending on how long its stood for your tyres could deflate and possably damage your rims,

If its stored on grass the damp will rise and rot the underside

Brake calipers could seize

And so on.
 
Mines just stood just stood for about five weeks following a heart attack and a period of not being able to drive it. The intension was I'd start it up once a week just to check it was OK. I actually never went near it for the whole five weeks and it started first time. (It was parked in the garage, with the handbrake off) I expected at least a flat or low battery, but it was fine.
 
Philz0r said:
I think stale fuel will be the least of your worrys.

Depending on how long its stood for your tyres could deflate and possably damage your rims,

If its stored on grass the damp will rise and rot the underside

Brake calipers could seize

And so on.
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Negatory. We're talking several weeks, not years.
 
DampDog said:
The intension was I'd start it up once a week just to check it was OK..
Click to expand...

Many people seem to think that this is a good thing to do for cars that are rarely used, but it's actually better to either start it and then take it for a proper drive, or not start it up at all.
 
I left an old 106 sitting for 2 years with barely any diesel in it, tyres hardly deflated and it started first time after giving it a bit of gas.
 
Howard said:
Many people seem to think that this is a good thing to do for cars that are rarely used, but it's actually better to either start it and then take it for a proper drive, or not start it up at all.
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Yeah I totally agree with that, it's just I wasn't able to drive on this occasion. I just wanted to get some oil round the engine and warm it up. And just check on the battery in case it needed charging. Modern motors are wonderful things but do have the odd little current drain ticking away in the background, alarms and such.
 
Not relevant to the OP, but Honda recommend their hybrids be driven at least 30 minutes per month to prevent degradation of the IMA battery.

For the OP's car I wouldn't worry about a month or two.
 
My S2000 has been stood for nearly 2 months. I started it this morning and apart from the handbrake needing freeing up it started and drove just fine.
 
Interesting reading this thread, I've left my car(s) parked up as normal for up to 6 weeks sometimes whilst I've been away and apart from my Accord needing a jump start everything has always been fine.

My uncle on the other hand leaves his car in India on axle stands so that the tyres are off the ground before he leaves as it'll probably be a year before he returns. He also takes the battery out and leaves it with a neighbour, then phones a night or 2 before he's due to arrive so that the neighbour can put the battery on charge.
 
Philz0r said:
I think stale fuel will be the least of your worrys.

Depending on how long its stood for your tyres could deflate and possably damage your rims,

If its stored on grass the damp will rise and rot the underside

Brake calipers could seize

And so on.
Click to expand...

If that was the case how many car dealers would have major issues with warranty repairs
 
a month or 2 you should be ok. my cosworth sits in my garage most of the year as only a show car now. i have a battery conditioner on it and tick it over now and then.

as for fuel as long it isnt stood for years its all good.

leave handbreak off, specially if outside. the breaks will rust to the pads. in gear and away you go.
 
I've parked up cars for years with no ill effects other than soft tyres, flat battery and maybe a bit of mould on the seats. It'll be fine.
 
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