Club Lexus

tim5055 · 04-20-11, 02:07 AM

Well, our 2000 RX has treated us well and it is time to retire it. We take delivery Friday on a 2011 RX450h.

So, to the question at hand. We plan on moving the 2000 to our land in North Carolina. It will be in a garage so not out in the elements. I already plan on installing a battery mider (OK, maybe not this exact one) , but what else should I do if it will not be driven on a regular basis?

Having the 2000 in NC will be nice as when we visit we tow a camper with the pick up so this will give a nicer vehicle available to drive.

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bob2200 · 04-20-11, 04:06 AM

You don't say how long between visits, so I'll take a 10-month case.

If you have a heated interior space (i.e., cabin), I'd move the battery indoors, whether trickle charged or not. I learned this in a Saab owner's manual. I would consider using a deep-cycle battery and just charging before use. Even with a regular car battery, I personally (if stored in an interior heated space) would not trickle charge, and just charge once-a-year before use. What you want to avoid the most is the freezing of a discharged battery.

If you want to baby the RX, I'd change the oil shortly before leaving it.

I think I would fill the gas tank and use some gasoline stabilizer, that you can buy at a West Marine or other boating store, making sure to run the stabilizer through the system before leaving. I'm not sure about this one, but that is what I would do.

I would put the car up on four jack stands (to avoid any flattening of the tires).

tim5055 · 04-20-11, 04:14 PM

You pointed out something I should have mentioned. Between us and family visiting the property it should only sit 3 to 4 months between visits. We keep a golf cart (6 batteries) and a pop up camper (2 batteries) there all winter and with them a charger have never had a freezing problem.

Thanks for the other suggestions!

hypervish · 04-20-11, 04:56 PM

3-4 months isn't too long, so you don't need to take any major precautions. Just make sure that you do frequent oil changes with synthetic oil to help with all the moisture.