Hey guys...

Since my circumstances have changed over the last year, I find myself not driving the S nearly as much as I would like. The registration is coming due again in October and I'm seriously contemplating registering the car non operational to save on registration fees and insurance. I'll be dd our SUV so the S can stay in the garage while not in use. I do not want to sell the car due to the fact that I do not see myself being able to get back into an S anytime in the near future if I sell it now.

My question is regarding the storage of the car for the next year, or possibly 2 years. What's the best way to maintain the car while not being driven? How often should I change the oil and other fluids? Anything else I'm forgetting? I guess I'd be able to take the car for a spin now and again around the block to keep battery and engine running periodically. However, for the most part it'll be just sitting in the garage.

Just a little background on my S... it's a MY 2000 with 130K miles. The car has a hardtop so the convertible top won't be exposed while being stored.

Anyone have experience storing their S? Thanks.

 

1) Fresh wash and wax
2) Change the oil
3) Full tank of gas with Stabil
4) Pull the battery out and put it on a tender
5) Put a few mothballs in 3 plastic containers without lids. Place one in the trunk, one on the passenger floor, and one in the airbox. (The car will smell bad for awhile after storage, but the mice won't nest in it.)
6) Pull the spark plugs and pour a spoonful of oil in each cylinder.
7) Pump up the tires to ~40 psi.
8) Cover it with a breathable cover.
9) Walk away and don't start it until you are ready to put it back on the road.

 

Conedodger pretty much covers it. Also put steel wool in the exhaust pipes and I also had the car on jacks with the wheels removed. I stored my '86 Z for 8 years like this and after draining the fluids the car started right up.

 

one more thing you could add to that list, like NDAZONE said is putting the car on stands. Just make sure to use the proper jack points! you dont want the chassis sagging the wrong way

 

If it's not practical for you to use jack stands....I would just park the car on rubber mats or carpet mats to help prevent flat-spots.

Conedodger has good advice....especially the Sta-Bil.

\rlr
Carolina

 

i've used engine fogging oil instead of just oil in the cylinders and drying pellets in a dish to keep the interior and trunk from becoming musty.

the other option is to sell it and purchase another when you're ready to blast around again.

darcy

 

Sorry if I'm bringing up an old old thread, but I'm in a similar position myself. My question is, how can I keep rats away from the car let alone now chew on things in my engine bay?

 

moth balls, peppermint oil or dryer sheets I've heard keep pests away.

I would go with 1 of the last 2 so your car doesn't smell like your grandmother when you want to drive it again.

 

I put some mice traps around the car with cheese in case they decide to wander around. That way I also get to keep checking to see if there is any action going on while the car is in storage.

Sent from my LT30a using Tapatalk

 

I wouldn't recommend mouse traps they may attract mice towards the car. even though it may also kill them and give them an opportunity to join the party. Maybe spreading some decon might help