So I'm going to Iraq in April and need to leave my car in a friends backyard for 12 months.

I've searched the archived thread and came across some very good points on how to store my car.

The car will be in the backyard. This is what I was thinking about doing.

1) Lay down tarp on ground
2) Build a cover for the top (so the sun/rain won't keep beating on my car)
3) Use a good car cover (is oem any good?)
4) Give it a good cleaning
5) Crack window about 1/2 inch
6) Fill up with gas and change oil

Now I'm more concerned with the mechanics of the car. My buddy will be around, and it is possible he won't be going to Iraq. He is semi-mechanically inclined and I can trust this guy with my car and not abuse it.

Some say it's better to start it up every now and then, some say don't.

What say you S2Ki? I'm going to have to worry about getting shot at in Iraq, I don't want to have to worry about my car.

Thanks.

 

You absolutely have no option to park in a garage??

If this is the case, I would try to use your service to our country to your advantage. There's got to be someone who will allow you to park for free, or rent a space in a secure garage from them for a nominal fee because of your situation. Either way, just follow the steps for prepping the car found below (minus some if you're parking outside) - but really try to get a better place than someone's back yard - - you have a few weeks to investigate.

Be safe, and thank you for your service USA!

1. Change the oil and filter, unless you are still within the

 

Great advice, thanks man. Unfortunately, the only option that the military will give me is to store it on a open concrete lot. It just sits there for 15 months.

I was considering storing it in a public storage lot, but they wanted $130/month. 130x15 = Rims. Also the guy is having a baby soon and I decided to give him a couple hundreds bucks to wash my car every now and then.

 

MRJJ,

If you don't mind post which state you reside in, maybe a S2KI member would be willing to store your car inside. I know if you live in Texas I would be willing to let you for free!

Good luck finding a storage facility, and thank you for your service!

 

good advice above
I have the OEM cover and would only add that it's not designed for long term outdoor use---it's cotton so it will deteriorate over time if left outside in extended bad weather--it's really more of an indoor dust cover.
In addition to an outdoor cover, you could also rig up a frame of PVC pipe over the car and throw a tarp over it if the weather where you live is rainy or snowy--just an extra layer of protection for the cover

 

Sorry no advise about car storage, but I would like to add one thing:

Thank you for your service to our country. I look forward to hearing about your first drive when you return.

 

The more that I look through these posts, the more i'm sure the S2ki community locally can pull through and find some place to store your car. If not, let me know. I owe alot to you soldiers.

 

my brother stored his neon when he went to iraq. here's what went wrong and maybe it will help some:

the car was stored in my great grandmother's basement garage in CT. we didn't know it was damp, and we didn't know it had rodent issues. we basically parked the car and asked them to drive it once in a while, so no prep. i dont think they drove it, but they did start it and let it warm up regularly for most of the time my brother was away.

when i came to get the car, here's what i found:
the tires were dry-rotted
battery was dead, and the terminals were corroded awfully due in part to a custom stereo amp wire (bad choice of metals i guess)
mice/squirrels chewed the spark plugs and keyless entry unit (it doesnt work anymore)
i don't know how sludgy the oil/gas were, but i changed the oil and burned through the tank rather quickly.
i think there was something else, but that's the main stuff.

 

Contact your local storage company. Many of them rents out a space large enough to fit a car in. Charges around $50.00 per month.

 

Everybody- Thanks for the comments

S2KBDUB- Thanks a lot, but I am unsure of wheter I can trust a complete stranger with my car. I know there are good people out there, but I have been burned by my kindness/being naive.

I'm going to be driving a 10,000 lb armored Humvee instead of a 2800 lb Roadster. I am sad