My '06 Roadster is not a daily driver, in fact, it only recently broke the 3000 mile mark. It is garage kept and has a battery tender connected when parked. I try to start/run it at least monthly.

I was wondering if anyone has any other tips to prevent typical storage problems that may occur?

 

Hmmm - I willl be interested to read what the long time members of this forum post about this. Does it start ok all the time? Can you drive it more than you do? Or you do not want to? Where is Pizza Guy and CICCI who seem to know so much about the how to's ?

Alicia

 

Keep the gas tank relatively full to prevent condensation.

 

LOL! Just don't ask how to change yer oil!!

 

I add a bottle of Heat to dry out any moister.

 

If I don't expect to use a full tank over three months I put in fuel stabilizer. That will keep the fuel from gumming up the fuel system.

 

Yes, fuel stabilizer is good. If you do accidentally leave it too long, I hear a bit of ethanol additive will react with the water and remove it from the gas. Sound legit? Just one idea.

 

I leave my car in the garage over summer in AZ for the time I am in Germany, which is like 3 moths give or a take 2 weeks.

Never had any problems with coming back and firing it up directly and taking it for a smooth drive

I hope it will be the same this year.....

 

My general belief is that a car that sits a lot develops problems. HOWEVER, I THINK they have reformulated gasoline in the past 20 years - because I used to have problems with cars that sat - they'd clog up the bowl in the carburetor and flood easily. Not sure it it's fuel injection or reformulated gasoline that seems to have solved this problem. Anyone know?

I suppose the high pressures invovled in fuel injection could possibly explain this.

But, anyway, first and foremost, I'd use fuel stabilizer. In fact, I DO use it on my lawn/power equipment.

I also think that having the car garaged helps a lot. My garage is (somewhat) air conditioned and heated. I would think the controlling of the humidity helps (if now where you live, certainly here in Georgia!)

 

1. Good quality car cover (breathable)
2. Tennis ***** in tail pipes
3. Dryer softener sheets in interior of car and trunk
4. Crack open hood to release any moisture
5. Keep top up with windows just cracked
6. Top off gas in tank, and use stabilizer
7. Battery tender and test battery yearly.
8. Car on jack stands , or, max air pressure in tires to minimize flat spots
9. Have garage exterminated regularly
10. If.. like you say.. you drive the car monthly, you don't have to do all this. Only if you store for 12 mths at a time.

OR

11. Forget all the above ... and join us all in CAA, Carlisle, Woodward, etc, and let us see that beauty ....

 

Info posted is soo interesting and informative. I like all the tips - tho I'm not the original post person. As a new owner I am gathering all kinds of guidance here for future (as needed) reference. Thanks to all you CICCI knowledgeable folks! Alicia

 

Thanx for all the good tips

Haven't heard of the "tennis ball in the tailpipe" before???
What purpose does that serve?

Always keep the fuel top off with premium and also add Seafoam.
Car is double covered with breathable first then water resistant on to to keep an extra layer of cushion.

Mostly concerned about gaskets, trans., and other working arts that need regular exercise to stay fresh.

 

save yourself a lot of heart ache and work, and just take it for a drive once a month....I have done this for the past 3 yrs without any problems at all. Now I have another to drive once in awhile....no battery tenders, no fuel additive...don't jack the car up...and the exhaust doesn't rust out from moisture collecting...and it is ready for a road trip without a lot "getting ready".....pull the cover off and go....everyone has their way of doing things, but when the time comes that I want to take a drive, it just isn't a big deal to do so....

 

Keeps mice out ........

 

I personally had mice make a nest out of my tail pipes. They found some deer corn and hid it in my muffler. I started the car and heard it all rattle out the exhast. Now I stick a rag in just to be sure. I drive my car every 2 weeks now.... it is not like the car was sitting a long time.

 

Alicia .... why don't you look over into the CICCI forum? It is more of a "club" atmosphere, and a lot of the great folks that hang-out here on Crossfireforum.org, also hang-out there. You'll find it very relaxing AND informative, and you also have the advantage to learn about local and national, GTGs (Get ToGethers) that you are entirely welcome and encouraged to attend. Actually you don't need to be a CICCI member to attend, but you only find out about where and when they are, on the forum. There also is a Club Store where you can purchase unique xFire items. There is a membership fee of $35 first year, $25 thereafter, and you may use my IBLUBYU as a reference. Go there, and take a "test drive"!!!

 

Thanks IBLUBYU. I'm kinda intimidated by my lack of knowledge. I'm also glad you filled me in on CICCI - I had not realized the significance of that designation - just that y'all had super knowledge and expertise! I took a quick Google at the CICCI listing.

I am also very impressed by the skills of the webmaster and the sophistication of this message board. (I think I belong to too many orgs with unsophisticated, and probably volunteer, web folks) Alicia

 

All the moderators here and at CICCI are volunteers. The board at CICCI is all volunteer and then some.

 

Certainly a GREAT group of talented moderators! I'm still trying to navigate my way around the site. Alicia

 

A car that sits for a month at a time can develop flat spots in the tires. They usually come out after they heat up during a short drive, but can be annoying. Rolling the car a foot or two will minimize this. The other suggestion is to use a flattened cardboard box or even a carpet remnant between the tires and the concrete garage floor. Concrete is very acidic and IMHO can cause tire deterioration. Of course, you'll probably be replacing those dried out, cracked tires long before that, but...

Agree with all the other suggestions, especially with the Sta-Bil and gas line antifreeze.