Leaving car unused for months.. advise needed.

[Slowmo]

Any bros have left their cars unused for 3-6 mths or even longer?

 

 

Do I need to get someone to drive it around every month? or is it ok to just leave the car alone for such a long period? Anything I should lookout for?

 

 

also, possible not to renew road tax during this period, while still maintaining insurance and parking charges?

 

Please advise. Thanks.

[Mzrmazda3]

Bro, at least must get someone to start it a couple of times every week

[Slowmo]

a couple of times a week? thats quite a lot right? You might be right, because I left it alone for about 11 days, and the car does feels weird, not sure if it's due to me getting used to the car overseas or the car has to be 'warmed up' often..

 

 

Just start engine? Wait till engine temp goes to normal, no need to move the car?

 

It's a AT btw, so I'm not sure if put at 'P' the ATF will flow...

[Mustank]

nowadays when leaving car unused for a long time must park high high in mscp.....

 

bec my firend ponggol there flood like siao

 

he say his doono what spoil lah....spend how much for repair lah.....

 

come to office whole day k[furious] p[furious] k[furious] b

[Slowmo]

thanks bro... haha. but I usually have to end up parking the car high high anyway... MSCP lvl 4 in fact.

 

Actually I'm thinking if I should 'rent' a pvt property space instead of paying for the MSCP season parking. At least I know no buggers will try to do anything funny because it's alone for so long, and got people looking out for it.

Edited November 21, 2007 by Slowmo

[Carlovz]

bro, best is ask someone like your family members to drive it once a week. Jus a short drive will do. excercise the brake mechanism....gear changes...etc.

[Mustank]

i got one idea but that one a bit hiong.....see wehther you dare to do or not.....

 

llok for one commericial/shopping carpark that got per entry charges one......then park in one super cannot see lot......

 

one idea: KKH.....the max charge i think is $12......

 

best is this card park is still the old system where you got press button then got ticket come out one......then when you collect, go press for another ticket.....

 

one lagi better idea: park in firend's condo's visitor lot

[Slowmo]

hmm... will i need to put them in as named drivers in terms of insurance if i do that?

 

its quite unlikely they will drive my car, because they would prefer to drive the other one... lol.

[Slowmo]

wah.. first idea damn hiong... no la.. going to leave it for months, and i don't want it kenna tow away when i come back. or worse, they upgrade to ERP system when i come back.

 

yeah, either condo or landed property la... pay a small sum to friend can save up on the MSCP and somemore got someone jagar.

 

 

but road tax how ? can don't pay?

[Watwheels]

Just let yout relative or friend use it for that period. Or rent it at a low price for them. Better than let your car sit at the carpark. Your batt will die, tires deflated and worse rust starts to appear around or on your exhaust manifold. Mould will also grow in your car's interior.

 

Not to renew road tax during this period? We are not the ones who have say over this matter.

[Carlovz]

guess no need ba.....tat's y i suggest asking someone u trust to drive your ride for warm up for short distance

 

also remember to coat few more layer of 845 for protections since u leaving it for months.....

[Mustank]

can. contact lta to know the procedure.....

 

my friend car kenna stuck at workshop for a long time, so he apply for raod tax reduction

 

but i am not sure of procedure....

 

got to call lta

[Mzrmazda3]

 

About 3 days start once should be fine

 

Wait til the temperature needle move about a quarter above 'C' marking then turn off

 

Since yours is for months, maybe can pass the keys to your trusted friends or relative or Hia Dees and let them zoom around for you once or twice a week

[Pisces69]

Ok here is some advice for you.

 

Try to get someone to take your car for a short (1/2 hr at least) drive once a week & do use the AC too. Not just start the engine only.

 

If u parking for several months, then u sud:

 

1.Raise your wheels off the ground otherwise your tyre wil get "flat spots".

 

2.Pour some engine oil into the spark plug hole to lube the upper cylinders to prevent rust.

 

3. Disconnect the battery terminals.

 

4. Park in a sheltered place.

 

5. Place some moth balls all over the inside of the car including the boot.

[Lawsu]

you can consider to rent out.

 

Getting someone to pay you to maintain your car.

[Slowmo]

Wow! Thanks for all the replies!

 

Watwheels/Lawsu:

Although the prospect of lower costs, I try not to rent the car out if possible, because I dread what they would do to my car... you know the mentality of 'i paid for this car so i can..etc etc' The car is less than 6 months old somemore.

 

 

Carlovz:

Yes, thats what I intend to do - coat thick layers of wax and not buff them off.

 

Mustank:

I'm not sure how LTA is going to deal with my case, because mine is more like voluntary 'not driving', rather than due to repairs in workshops. But I'll try anyway, thanks for letting me know there is such a possibility.

 

Neutrino:

Insightful information bro! I never thought that the car alarm may drain out the battery after 6 months! Hmm.... but sorry, I've never touched disconnected the battery before, which terminals do I unplug? -Ve or +ve?

 

 

do you mean that if i stop paying for road tax, they will slash my parf?

 

Actually I'm not sure what to expect , as this is the first time I'm going away for so long from the car. Previously got people driving it.

 

 

 

 

Mzrmazda3:

Actually, i got no problem lending the car for them to use, but how do I cover the insurance aspects of this? add their name?

 

 

Pisces69:

bro, #1 quite hard to achieve in MSCP or condo carpark.. hehe. later my jacks (or wheels) all disappear.

 

I will take note of the rest! thanks for the advise!

[Gearoil]

Any bros have left their cars unused for 3-6 mths or even longer?

 

 

Do I need to get someone to drive it around every month? or is it ok to just leave the car alone for such a long period? Anything I should lookout for?

 

 

also, possible not to renew road tax during this period, while still maintaining insurance and parking charges?

 

Please advise. Thanks.

 

No problem, let ME use it for the time that you are not going to use it...and I promise to take 'super' good care of your four wheel baby...in any case, I might even mod the car better for you when I do return the car to you!

[Gadgeter]

Thanks for the info. It will be useful for people who plans to leave their car for a long period of time.

 

My batttery went died after I didn't drive for 6 days.