[laceylady]

This is our first year with two homes. We drove here from WA state and have decided to fly back and leave our Subaru Impreza in the garage until we get back in 10/2013. We have read several things on the Internet re what to do for the car while we are gone. Some of it seems like overkill. Many people in the Villages probably leave their vehicles here every year. If you do this, could you explain what you do that works considering the heat here, etc..? We do have someone watching our house and coming in every week. Thanks for your help.

[Mikeod]

My neighbor leaves his car here year round and only uses it a few weeks at a time. I have a maintenance charger on the battery, and I take the car out for a drive around TV every few weeks or so. Perhaps the neighbor who looks after your house can drive the car a bit. Driving the car helps the tires and the lubrication.

[George Bieniaszek]

I have an older Corvette that I keep in Connecticut. The car hibernates from November till April every year. Other than putting in some fuel stabilizer, filling the gas tank to reduce condensation in the tank, and tucking it away in the garage, it fires up first time, every time for the past 12 years when the weather turns nice. Pretty soon, the Corvette will be enjoying the Villages lifestyle with us when we go fulltime

[Dcljake]

I have a couple older cars that get very limited use. I make sure they have a stabilizer in the gas tank (Sta Bil at WalMart) and a battery tender connected. Leaving a car for several months like this is not a problem. This is the same thing I do for my boat that sits for about 8 months Starting a car and running it for a few minutes does more harm than good. If you are not going to start it and run it at temperature to get the moisture out, don't start it.

[ricthemic]

I always disconnect the positive (red) line from the battery and put a glove over it to insulate it from contact. Been told that newer cars have constant battery draw for electronic/computerized controls. Disconnecting line eliminates the need for a trickle charger, which could also malfunction. One time I did not do this and had to replace the battery. PS: I really do not know much about cars. Those of you that do please comment. Thanks

[laceylady]

Thanks to all of you. Your responses are very helpful.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by ricthemic

I always disconnect the positive (red) line from the battery and put a glove over it to insulate it from contact. Been told that newer cars have constant battery draw for electronic/computerized controls. Disconnecting line eliminates the need for a trickle charger, which could also malfunction. One time I did not do this and had to replace the battery. PS: I really do not know much about cars. Those of you that do please comment. Thanks

This is so true. My husband's 2005 Dodge Magnum has sat as long as 6 months and fired right up. Ditto our '67 Mustang. My 2011 Chrysler 200, however, sat for three and had to be towed to the dealer and a new battery installed. We should have had a charger on it or disconnected the battery. Fortunately it was still under warranty, so we paid for nothing, not even the tow. But lesson learned.

Also consider the age of your battery. We did have a problem with the Magnum once after 2 months of sitting. But it was in 2011, and it was the original battery. Had to replace the battery, and since then no problem with it sitting for length of time.

[Skip]

For only 6 months the car does not have to be driven around if inconvenient. Make sure your battery is in good condition, not ready to be replaced. Make sure any interior lights are not on. Do not disconnect your battery cable; if you do, your car computer may resort to default settings, TPMS may need to be reset, clock and radio station memory will need to be reset too. Don't have a trickle charger on the battery either. The cause of a fire is too great. (Ask many electric golf cart owners. Chargers can catch fire if the battery fails.) A good car battery will last 6 months without a charge and keep the car electronics energized. Fill the tank with fresh gas. Gas stabilizers are controversial. Some swear by them, others shun them. If you use some, the additive goes in just before the tank is filled. Make sure your tires are at maximum pressure and leave the car doors unlocked. Give your car keys to a neighbor, don't leave them in the house or car (in case of burglary). When you return, charge the battery first for a while and then start it up. You should have no problems. Recheck your tire pressures.

For a longer hibernation, I'd have it driven periodically right after a periodic battery charge.

Also turn off the house water supply and your water heater. This may save you a house flood. Set your house A/C thermostat to maybe 80-82 degrees, so the house stays dehumidified during warm months or you'll return to black moldy walls.

Skip
(Lots of experience with stored cars, modern and antique.)

[chuckinca]

We left our '07 Lexus in CA for 8 months for two years. Disconnected the negative (black) cable from the battery. When we got back we put the battery on a overnight charge and it fired right up with no issues.

.

[CFrance]

I would still be careful with a newer car. Call the dealer and ask. I will not leave my car again without disconnecting the battery or using a trickle charger. It has a lot of electronic frou-frou in it. If I have to reset a few things, not a big deal. A lot less hassle then replacing the battery. And mine was new, about 6 months old.

No lights were left on in the car. Everything was closed up and shut off. The dealer suggested disconnecting the battery next time we leave it that long. We're going to leave the '05 Magnum instead.