Leaving your car stored for 6 months
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Driver School Candidate
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
Leaving your car stored for 6 months
Hello, my family & I have a very pressing situation whereby we MUST be out of state for 6 mo.
What are some ways to keep my LS460 from problems being in our basement that long. I agree
with having the gas tank full and tires properly inflated. Which is better, put a "trickle charge" on it
or just let the battery go down and charge when we return? Thanks for your help.
What are some ways to keep my LS460 from problems being in our basement that long. I agree
with having the gas tank full and tires properly inflated. Which is better, put a "trickle charge" on it
or just let the battery go down and charge when we return? Thanks for your help.
CL Community Team
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,265
Likes: 482
From: MA
Here is my advice -
1. Inflate the tires to 45 to 50 pounds. There are pads you can buy to put under the tires. I never used them, but I know guys who do. They may or may not help. I would advise against raising the car on jack stands. The suspension is not meant to be dangling all that time. If you do use them make sure the tires are not completely off the ground so that there is tension on the suspension.
2. Fill the tank with gas and add Stabil.
3. Use a battery tender.
4. Place a desiccant inside the car to absorb moisture.
5. Change the motor oil (synthetic is best).
6. Wash the car, clean the interior and treat the leather surfaces with a non-silicone conditioner.
1. Inflate the tires to 45 to 50 pounds. There are pads you can buy to put under the tires. I never used them, but I know guys who do. They may or may not help. I would advise against raising the car on jack stands. The suspension is not meant to be dangling all that time. If you do use them make sure the tires are not completely off the ground so that there is tension on the suspension.
2. Fill the tank with gas and add Stabil.
3. Use a battery tender.
4. Place a desiccant inside the car to absorb moisture.
5. Change the motor oil (synthetic is best).
6. Wash the car, clean the interior and treat the leather surfaces with a non-silicone conditioner.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 26,184
Likes: 4,378
From: Alberta
I don't think it makes the slightest difference. Example, when you buy replacement coils from the dealer they have been sitting in a container for years uncompressed that's similar to if the car was on jack stands. Now if you just let the car site versus driving it, not much difference there the coils are loaded just not moving around as you drive.
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Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,696
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Yes, if possible, but tires should not be inflated higher than the maximum-allowable PSI, which, by law, is printed on the sidewall of the tire. This is NOT the figure, of course, recommended for everyday driving, which is usually on the inside of the drivers' door jamb.
BTW, welcome, cwsouthern, as a brand-new CL poster....and good luck on your trip.
BTW, welcome, cwsouthern, as a brand-new CL poster....and good luck on your trip.
Last edited by mmarshall; Jun 15, 2014 at 03:33 PM.
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Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 11,204
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From: The Woodlands, TX
if raised, shocks/struts are fully extended which they are not meant to be (for 6 months anyway) among other things.
CL Community Team
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,265
Likes: 482
From: MA
I don't think it makes the slightest difference. Example, when you buy replacement coils from the dealer they have been sitting in a container for years uncompressed that's similar to if the car was on jack stands. Now if you just let the car site versus driving it, not much difference there the coils are loaded just not moving around as you drive.
I put in a range, but wasn't clear on why.
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