Auto Storage
 

Never having to do this before I am not totally sure what should be done.

I am leaving the area for several months and do not wish to give a friend keys to my car
so that it can be started on a weekly basis. I also do not wish to give them to the house-watchers either.

So can anyone suggest what I should do to the car, so that on my return I won't have any problems getting it up and running.

I have heard elsewhere that the battery/s should be disconnected but is that all?

Re: Auto Storage
 

Remember - If you disconnect the battery you may have to reenter your radio code on lots of cars - especially more expensive cars. Make sure you know if you have that kind of radio and where the code is.

Re: Auto Storage
 

If it's a really nice car, preferably a convertible, I have a two car garage. And you know you can trust me. :bigthumbsup:

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Fill the gas tank, add a fuel stabilizer. Change the oil and filter. I'm assuming this is a newer car but, if not, remove the spark plugs and put a few drops of oil in each well. Get a trickle battery charger for the battery -- do not just disconnect it but remove it from the car in case a leak develops. Top off all fluids.

The ideal thing to do when storing a car is to actually have someone drive it for about 10 minutes a month but I do understand your reluctance on this one. Next best is, as you said, the start up weekly. If you're going to be gone more than 3 months, then I'd suggest you find someone you trust to start it up for you.

Don't forget that your golf cart needs to have water checked at least monthly and it should be driven a little at least once a month.

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We used to top off the gas tank to keep water out of the fuel. Now with the new pressurized fuel systems you do not want to fill the tank. You will only end up with old fuel.

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Find a New friend ô¿ô

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Car is a 1994 Mercedes Benz SL 500 Convertible. I agree with the fuel stabilizer, and I have a trickle charger. However finding a timer that will come on once or twice weekly will be a hard find. Or should my trickle charger be run daily and for how long?

Isn't that to much over a long period of time?

I agree removing the battery/s from the car is a good idea.

Since car is now 14 years old does it matter how much fuel remains in tank?

Most neighbors are seasonal guests anyway. Besides I don't know them other than to say hello. So thats out. BTW, thanks to all that have responded.

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Handie, is that what you use for the "blow up doll?"

Oops, is it too early in the day for "that" kind of joke?? Sorry, Couldn't resist!

Kath

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Stupid question -- why don't you just have the people who are watching your house start the car? If they're doing this as a business, it should be part of the things they do for your home and they should be insured and bonded. Besides checking the house to make sure everything is okay, they should be adding water to the golf cart batteries, keeping it charged, driving it around the block on occasion, starting the car weekly (doesn't need to be driven unless the gas is low). I know these are part of my services (along with the insurance and bond), whoever is watching your home should have it be part of theirs.

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Liability, liability, liability. Never give your car keys to anyone thats watching your house. Should they drive your car bonded, insured or not it will be a nightmare waiting to happen if they cause a serious accident. You will be sued even if their insurance is the first one that gets hit. Your carrier will still need to defend any excessive claims awarded to the plaintiff.

Now if you have a limited amount of liability and the house watchers insurance doesn't cover the amount awarded be prepared to pay the difference if found guilty of any negligence on your behalf. Now that seems highly unlikely but do you want the headache. NOT ME.

My golf cart has a switch that is changed to tow rather than run. During tow all power is stopped at the batteries and upon return all I need to do is flip switch to run and charge the batteries for 24 hours making sure levels are correct.

I will google for the right trickle charger since my charger doesn't go off when charge is complete. Again thanks for the replys

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I can appreciate the practical suggestions you've been given, but really, don't you have a friend whom you can trust to simply come in once a week or whatever and simply start the car and let it run for a few minutes? Wouldn't you be willing to do that for a friend? I understand your concern about liability, but I'm talking about a trusted friend!!! Hmmm....

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Larry, I understand your fear of liability but why in heck would someone watching your house drive your car? There is no way I would even consider doing that (well, maybe if it were Testarosa but nothing less), let alone do it! I think the same would be true of any service. It's just not worth the risk and loss of business to drive someone's vehicle. Write down the odometer mileage (better yet, take a picture of it), let it be known that you did so and then don't worry about it. Obviously, you would know they did in fact drive your car without permission and, if they did, I'm sure you could report it to the police and press charges for, at the very least, joy riding.

I do understand wanting to protect yourself from liability but why hire someone if you can't trust them? Or, as Sidney said, asking a friend you can trust? (Personally, I'd trust the service more than a friend because a friend might use the logic that a quick trip to the store won't hurt.)