Need advice on storing a car for 3-4 years?

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blac2k8cs

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I will be storing my car soon for a 3-4 years while in Japan. I thought about selling it but I am really attached to the car and I have invested to much in to it to see it go. It is a 2008 Mustang GT/CS with a manual transmission and 7500 miles on it. The car will most likely be in a storage building and will see some temps in the 20 to 30s during winter. The car will NOT be started during the time it is being stored. I've done some research online and am not finding to much on storing for more than a year. Here is my plan so far not in any paticular order..
  • Wash and seal/wax the car including undercarriage, clean the interior
  • Change the oil/oil filter
  • Top off the fuel tank and add a fuel stabilizer
  • Place a plastic sheet or tarp down to park the car on
  • Remove the battery
  • Leave the car in gear and release the parking brake to prevent pads from sticking.
  • Place the car on jacks raising the car slightly to prevent flat spots in the tires
  • Place chock blocks.
  • Plug the exhaust and intake to prevent rodent infestation
  • Place a dessicant or baking soda inside to prevent any odors from forming and to absord any moisture
  • Cover the car with a breathable car cover
This is pretty basic for car storage but I feel like I need to go a bit further because of the amount of time the vehicle will be stored. Any other tips or advice would be appreciated.
 
I've used Marvel Mystery Oil for years (decades) in engines. If you wish to pull the spark plugs and squirt a tablespoon into each cylinder, the internal components will be coated. Crank, but not start the engine to distribute the MMO. I would suggest supporting the car at the suspension components, not by the frame with the suspension hanging. I use clothes dryer anti static sheets in the interior and around the engine to keep the critters away.
 
I don't know why you would top off the fuel tank. It seems to me that the more fuel is in it, the more varnish can occur. Plus, some of it might just evaporate anyway, so some will likely be wasted for that reason. I realize you are adding fuel stabilizer (Which you should add before driving it around a bit, to be sure it is thoroughly mixed with the fuel, and then store it.) but even with fuel stabilizer, I don't see the point of a full tank.

If you are going to be just storing the car, maybe you could not remove the excess wax or sealant, since it will be much thicker then. Need more opinions on that however.
Perhaps a rubber protectant for the tires and other rubber parts.
 
I would recommend treating all weather stripping with silicone.
 
Everything you've mentioned is what I would do. Additionally, get yourself a box of dryer sheets and stuff them all over the place under the hood especially near and around wiring. These do a nice job at keeping mice from nesting and chewing wires and hoses.

Do the same on the interior under the dash, seats, trunk. Stuff these sheets in areas that nests could be built.
 
bugeye said:
I've used Marvel Mystery Oil for years (decades) in engines. If you wish to pull the spark plugs and squirt a tablespoon into each cylinder, the internal components will be coated. Crank, but not start the engine to distribute the MMO. I would suggest supporting the car at the suspension components, not by the frame with the suspension hanging. I use clothes dryer anti static sheets in the interior and around the engine to keep the critters away.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info. I've never heard of using the dryer sheets for this. Great info. I read about pulling the plugs as well and putting oil in the cylinders. However, these factory plugs are notorious for breaking off in the cylinder head. I might have to skip this step!

Blackthornone said:
I don't know why you would top off the fuel tank. It seems to me that the more fuel is in it, the more varnish can occur. Plus, some of it might just evaporate anyway, so some will likely be wasted for that reason. I realize you are adding fuel stabilizer (Which you should add before driving it around a bit, to be sure it is thoroughly mixed with the fuel, and then store it.) but even with fuel stabilizer, I don't see the point of a full tank.

If you are going to be just storing the car, maybe you could not remove the excess wax or sealant, since it will be much thicker then. Need more opinions on that however.
Perhaps a rubber protectant for the tires and other rubber parts.
Click to expand...

I read that it is good to top the car off to prevent moisture from forming in the fuel tank.

mswerb said:
I would recommend treating all weather stripping with silicone.
Click to expand...

I will do this during the cleaning step. Thanks for the input.

BobbyG said:
Everything you've mentioned is what I would do. Additionally, get yourself a box of dryer sheets and stuff them all over the place under the hood especially near and around wiring. These do a nice job at keeping mice from nesting and chewing wires and hoses.

Do the same on the interior under the dash, seats, trunk. Stuff these sheets in areas that nests could be built.
Click to expand...

Do you think the chemicals on the dryer sheets would cause any discoloration on leather or carpet if in contact for an extended period of time?
 
blac2k8cs said:
Thanks for the info. I've never heard of using the dryer sheets for this. Great info.

Do you think the chemicals on the dryer sheets would cause any discoloration on leather or carpet if in contact for an extended period of time?
Click to expand...

No, I've never had a problem but I wouldn't place them on the surfaces you sit on or see just in case but I've never seen one issue..

Mice build nests where you don't see them so if some slight discoloration did occur you'll never see it.
 
blac2k8cs said:
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blac2k8cs said:

Do you think the chemicals on the dryer sheets would cause any discoloration on leather or carpet if in contact for an extended period of time?
Click to expand...


It's unlikely they would, however you can place a paper towel under them just in case.

I'd suggest pumping the tires to a much higher pressure than normal. There are wheel blocks that you can place under the tires that will "prevent" flat spotting. For the length of time you are talking about it might be a good idea to look into them.

Other than that it looks like you have most things covered.

We generally have a great bunch of people here on AG but I notice no one has offered to drive the car for you...so I'll step up and drive it for you while you are gone :laughing:.
 
everything you listed is good except if the temps of the garage are suitable and insulated dont use a cover cause covers leave marks and ive seen it (specially if your going to detail it first) ive had numerous classic cars where they're stored for a long time and will be all set once they're started up again sometimes 10-30yrs later. only thing you'll probably need to do is change the other fluids that do not have stabilizer in them. other than that, yur good to go. hopefully you get back sooner than 3yrs to drive your baby. i know id be going crazy not driving my car for that long let alone a whole weekend! get back safely!
 
I would also recommend storing it with the clutch pedal depressed to prevent the clutch disc from sticking.

Flush your brake system to remove the moisture from the system and prevent corrosion.

Wrap your wiper blades in plastic to prevent them from sticking to the glass or remove and wrap the ends of the wiper arms with foam or a towel to protect the glass.

Leave the windows cracked open to allow for some air to flow through the interior.
 
mdb917 said:
We generally have a great bunch of people here on AG but I notice no one has offered to drive the car for you...so I'll step up and drive it for you while you are gone :laughing:.
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I thought about it but wanted to see just how long it took for someone to make the offer! :laughing: :props:
 
I stored a 04 Mustang GT vert for about four years. Bought it for my wife and she refused to use it. The car typically sat for months and all I did was put a battery minder to the battery and started it and from time to time ran it until warm. I put stabilizer in the fuel and it had fresh oil in it. Rolled it to keep tires round.
It was as new when I got rid of it...
 
Change out the air in the tires for nitrogen....change out brake fluid to DOT-5 (at least I think that's the stuff for long term storage).
 
:D:DI suggest letting me use the car for three years so i can keep it clean and waxed:D:D:D:D kidding of coarse
 
Are you in the military?




Everything looks good, only thing I would be careful of is keeping the car jacked up. You don't want to keep the suspension hanging if you support the car by the frame. that will mess up the springs. One thing to consider is to replace the tires when you get home since they will be 4 years old and will probably start to deteriorate anyhow.

I have seen some sort of tire cradle for long term storage to prevent flat spots where you drive the car on to them and they are rounded so the tire sits in a rounded support, maybe that would be better?

Another thing you can do is spray the under carriage/suspension with wd40 or something to help prevent rust
 
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