Check out the 7 ways keep downtime from trashing your ride below -- the good, the bad and the rusty.
Make sure your stored vehicles wake up recharged, rust-free and ready to go.
1. Top off the tank
Fill the tank and add the recommended fuel stabilizer to keep the gas from deteriorating and leaving muck on your carburetor. Turn on and let it run a few minutes to cycle through.
2. Fill up fluids
Replace or refill fluids as recommended by vehicle’s manufacturer or drain all fluids from vehicle. If you live where temperatures reach sub-zero, check the antifreeze to prevent engine freezing.
3. Oust old oil
The contaminants in old oil can corrode engine parts in just a few months. Change oil and filter before storing to avoid a sticky situation later.
4. Conserve the battery’s charge
Batteries experience a slight charge drain even with the ignition off. Use a battery maintainer or trickle charge it when not in regular use. Give a fully charged battery a charge monthly while not in use.
5. Tend to your tires
Avoid flat spots or uneven tire wear by storing vehicle with the tires off the ground. Alternately, fill tires to the maximum recommended volume and remember to move the vehicle to rotate tires to a new resting spot monthly.
6. Wax on, rust off
Unattended vehicles are subject to rust. Washing, drying and waxing before storing prevents corrosion and other damage. To keep critters out, stuff a towel or crumpled bags into the intake and exhaust pipes. Remember to remove them before you drive the vehicle.
7. Location, location
Sunlight can damage leather and cause paint to fade. Park your ride in a cool, dark place without an earthen floor. A breathable cover will prevent dings and protect your vehicle from dust, grime, moisture and scratches.
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