Keeping a car off road

BloodThirsty

If taking a car off road for a couple years is there anything special to be done regarding keeping it in good condition.? It would be parked on cement. Will the tyres in constant contact need protection? It will be covered in winter. Is there anything else?

should it be valeted before being stored or after when ready to go back on road?

punisher5112

BloodThirsty wrote: »

If taking a car off road for a couple years is there anything special to be done regarding keeping it in good condition.? It would be parked on cement. Will the tyres in constant contact need protection? It will be covered in winter. Is there anything else?

should it be valeted before being stored or after when ready to go back on road?

Tyres will be damaged if not rotated and rubbers will perish.
Damp conditions will ruin the interior so if can be parked up in a shed or garage would be better.

Oil and fuel should be removed if for very long period as this will go off and oil turn to sludge.

Clean the outer and interior of the car as to keep down risk of stuff growing(food and other unwanted bits)

Don't use handbrake as brakes will seize and also rust will take hold on discs or drums.

There are probably more tips some may have help with.

Eric Cartman

buy those little supermaket passive dehumidifiers, they actually work, leave one in a central spot in the car and change every 6 odd weeks or so , will keep the moisture out.

goz83

I will also be doing this when I get my car back from garage. I may have it put on blocks, so the tyres wont need rotating. I bet there is also a way to prevent the tyres and other rubber from perishing. Maybe a silicone spray, or something? Could save an extra expense

CJhaughey

I'd give it a good service before you lay it up.
I wouldn't recommend draining the oil and fuel, it won't turn to sludge in my experience and will stop corrosion.
Partially full tanks can suffer from condensation so I'd brim it to avoid any chance of that happening.
Parked outside, things will all corrode over time braking components especially and any corrosion in the body will accelerate due to lack of airflow.
Inside must be kept dry or it will become a petri dish.
Sunlight will degrade rubber, so keep the tyres out of the sun if possible.Maybe make up some covers that shield the tyres?
In truth laying up a car outside is sub optimal.
Better to keep it in a shed if at all possible covered in a natural fibre dustcloth like a painters dropcloth.

Sobanek

I actually found this out through a classic restoration show:

Keeping the car on a lift is a good way to prevent the suspension from sagging over time.

BloodThirsty

i went to see a relative since i asked this. a neighbour of hers has a car parked in open on cement for 7 years and the tyres are ok and there is no condensation. maybe he opens it up in summer

seamus

Tyres perish whether or not they're in use (though there are no doubt methods of storage which reduce it). If you present for an NCT with tyres over 6 years old, you'll be given an advisory warning.

If I was putting a car back on the road after 7 years with the same tyres, I'd be inclined to change them.