Problems when a car is stood still for a period of time..

[Dom]

Thinking after this month to get uninsured on my car, few reasons, saving it from being driven in the winter, insurance currently £3k, drops to £1200 in Feb/March.

What are the problems that could happen if the car is left stood still for 3-4 months? Apart from the battery dying.

& Whats the best way from protecting it from the rust on the body over the winter? & which places should I expect to see the rust occuring?

[rushy_23]

I dont think rust will be an issue matey. As your driving it less so less chance of water and salt being thrown up your arches.

Id regularly start it, say once a week and ge the tyres moved from time to time. Really you should disconnect the battery to avoid it becoming totally drained.

I had my car off the road for 3 months initially and it wasnt touched during that time. Started perfectly fine afterwards.

Its now been 12 months, and yep. Wont start :D

[holdawayt]

Golf was off the road for 2 years, just got a new battery and gave it a service and it's good as new!

3-4 months shouldnt be a problem dude.

[Si-Gore]

I bought my saxo in july and didn't drive it till last week. Worked just fine :-)

[Dom]

So not as bad as I expected!

I ain't worried about the battery, need to get a new one as the current one is way too big! haha

Just for the sake of it, I hammerite'd the underside of the rear of the car as a precaution a few days ago, now after reading this, seems like a waste of time! lol

[mechsman]

If it physically stands still for that amount of time the tyres will start to oval. The petrol might start to go off as well (depending how old it is).

If you can start it and move it around a little every week for the 3-4 months then it will be fine. If not, either jack it up and support on something sturdy so the weight is off the tyres, or, increase the tyre pressures up to the max to help stop them ovaling.

If it's not going anywhere I would drain the fuel down and put it in a sealed container. Might be worth doing the same with the oil unless it's been changed recently as that will go crusty and sludgey if it hasn't been circulated for 3-4 months. When you come to start it again put some fresh stuff in the top which will help lubricate the cam etc before first cranking. I would also put the car under a cover. (Make sure the car is clean and dry before you do that though).

[Si-Gore]

So not as bad as I expected!

I ain't worried about the battery, need to get a new one as the current one is way too big! haha

Just for the sake of it, I hammerite'd the underside of the rear of the car as a precaution a few days ago, now after reading this, seems like a waste of time! lol

Car's can stand on a drive for a good while and even at the most all they need is a new battery and a service. I've never heard of a car breaking just because it wasn't used for a period of time.

When my old Fiat broke, it was on my drive for a good year, that inc all that snow, rain and heat. Yet it still started first time.

Only problem you will find is you gain spider webs LOL mine does even after a day :wacko:

[mechsman]

Oh and yeah, battery. If the car isn't going anywhere it might be worth bringing it inside, might stand half a chance of surviving the winter. Make sure you keep it charged though as once the voltage drops below a certain level (self discharge) the battery will start to sulphate. If the sulphation is bad enough the battery will be useless as it will no longer be able to supply the amps required to crank the engine.

[Meto]

Leave the handbrake OFF as well, but leave it in gear so it won't roll anywhere. If not the handbrake might stick on.

[mechsman]

^ Good call, forgot about that.