Hibernating for a couple of months

[sidhu2909]

If there is some other thread that already talks about the same issue, please post the link and accept my apologies for starting a duplicate thread. This is my first car and being in a place where we have snow for almost half of the year, I really have very little idea on how to maintain my car for winters and I'm still learning on it.

I'll be on a vacation for a couple of months and I was wondering what needs to be done before I leave so that my car would be in a good shape when I come back. I live in Minnesota and snow is expected to be here in a couple of weeks. I only have an open parking spot, so I was wondering if there would be any cosmetic damage to the car if left in snow for 2months without any cleaning. Also, I was thinking about the battery. My open parking doesn't help me with a battery trickle charger and the solar wouldn't work because of the snow. Do you guys think it's a good idea to disconnect the battery for 2months or would it sustain and have some charge left even if I leave it connected? It's usually suggested for all cars, but with so many things depending on the electrical systems like the parking brake, would it be an issue if I disconnect the battery?

Also, is there anything else that can be done to leave my car in a good shape?

Thanks and I really appreciate any suggestions you might have.

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[davidgostbo]

http://www.civicx.com/threads/i-have-to-put-my-car-in-storage-for-the-winter-yes-already.4348/

 

[inv4zn]

Wash and dry your car and then get a quality car cover, overinflate your tires to avoid your tires cupping, leave your fuel tank nearly empty and add fuel stabilizer, and max out on storage insurance if applicable.

When you get back deflate your tires to proper PSI, add fresh gas and moisture remover, and go for a nice long drive.

 

[Civics4Ever]

Man, no relative that has a place you can park it? If it was my car, I'd be paying for 2 months at a heated storage place.

 

[sidhu2909]

Wash and dry your car and then get a quality car cover, overinflate your tires to avoid your tires cupping, leave your fuel tank nearly empty and add fuel stabilizer, and max out on storage insurance if applicable.

When you get back deflate your tires to proper PSI, add fresh gas and moisture remover, and go for a nice long drive.

Thanks. Regarding to leaving it nearly empty, why do you think that's advantageous than leaving it full with fuel stabilizer? I've read somewhere that leaving it full doesn't allow moisture to build up. Do you have a different opinion on this?

 

[inv4zn]

Thanks. Regarding to leaving it nearly empty, why do you think that's advantageous than leaving it full with fuel stabilizer? I've read somewhere that leaving it full doesn't allow moisture to build up. Do you have a different opinion on this?

There's different schools of thought, both of which are understandable.

My camp comes from the fact that if there's less fuel, there's less fuel to separate, and it's much easier to add fresh fuel from a jerry can.

 

[sidhu2909]

Man, no relative that has a place you can park it? If it was my car, I'd be paying for 2 months at a heated storage place.

Unfortunately no, and all my friends have open parking spots. I'm kind of hesitating to store it in a strangers heated parking spot by paying almost $100 per month. It's not just the money, but I somehow feel uncomfortable with having it in strangers place for 2months.

 

[sidhu2909]

There's different schools of thought, both of which are understandable.

My camp comes from the fact that if there's less fuel, there's less fuel to separate, and it's much easier to add fresh fuel from a jerry can.

But wouldn't that less fuel have more moisture % and thus adding more fuel would only reduce the % but not the total amount of moisture mixed in the fuel?

Regarding the car cover, I was thinking if it actually beneficial or harmful to do so. If there is snow above the cover, and once there is a layer on it, it forms like an insulating sheet (that's how igloos work by the way). So it is possible to build moisture between the layers of car cover and paint even though there is a layer snow on top of the cover. Wouldn't this trapped moisture leave marks on the paint? What do you think of this?

 

[inv4zn]

But wouldn't that less fuel have more moisture % and thus adding more fuel would only reduce the % but not the total amount of moisture mixed in the fuel?

Regarding the car cover, I was thinking if it actually beneficial or harmful to do so. If there is snow above the cover, and once there is a layer on it, it forms like an insulating sheet (that's how igloos work by the way). So it is possible to build moisture between the layers of car cover and paint even though there is a layer snow on top of the cover. Wouldn't this trapped moisture leave marks on the paint? What do you think of this?

Moisture doesn't just appear. It'll condensate depending on humidity levels and temperature differences.

If you have a nicely washed car w/ a coat of wax, under a cover, that'll be far far better than leaving it exposed to all the elements.
Not to open a can of worms, but it's like not vaccinating your children from polio, chicken pox, hepatitis, etc., just because you didn't want your child to maybe have a fever.

Same thing with moisture in the gas. The fuel system is inherently a "closed" system. Any moisture comes from the gasoline breaking down and evaporating. I'm pulling numbers out of my ass, but 500mL of gas will evaporate 50mL of water, while 5000mL will evaporate 500mL. Yes, the latter will take longer to do so, but you're gone for so long that it doesn't matter.

I know you're not trying to be argumentative and trying to do what's best for your car, but simply googling "Not driving my car for months" will yield you lots of 'expert' advice.

 

[Browncoat3000]

Have you considered a paid secured lot?

In my town there are a couple of places by the airport that cater to snowbirds with covered parking options, free jumpstarts if you have a dead battery and even offer a concierge package where they wash your car for you when you get home.

Whichever way you go, as a pilot I leave my Civic sitting for as long as 8 days with no issues, but the battery has occasionally been a problem in other cars. My Jetta had a solar charger, I still have it but don't know if it will work with the Civic. The security folks used to jump, but some bean counters decided that was a liability, so now I have AAA. I'm sure that two months will deplete the battery, but I'm not sure what Honda recommends.

As for car covers, don't go cheap Walmart style. A friend at work tried this with his M3, the loose fabric let the wind get in, the fabric tore, then the straps beat the crap out of his quarter panel. He now has a good quality tailored cover he uses. But at north of $350 for a cover, the airport parking might be cheaper unless this is going to be a recurring trip.

Personally I just keep the car well waxed, put in a sunshade and leave her. Did this with my Jetta for 10 years with no issues*. He still looked great when I sold him.

*actually, he did get $2300 worth of damage in a hailstorm, but that could have happened any time it was outside.

 

[MrVvrroomm]

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/search/bbb?sort=rel&query=car storage

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