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How To Best 'Store' an Unused Car

20 years ago

Have a 90 Toyota Celica that I want to keep as a "spare" in case one of my other cars dies or needs repairs that will take awhile. Dropped insurance, so can't drive it around to keep all the fluids moving. What should I do to minimize seals drying out, gas getting stale, battery discharging, etc.? I've got it parked in the rocks next to the drive now. Can start it up weekly and let it sit there with engine running, but what else should I do? Not too worried about body, mainly operating components.

I had a 96 Toyota Avalon w/ 225K miles that sat and waited for my son to turn 16 and drive it. Only thing I did was put gas stabilizer in the gas tank. Started it up weekly for about a month until the battery died then just let it sit for 1/2 yr. The PS unit was out of fluid when we started it up (had a slight leak when I parked it initially), the battery was dead and there was rust on the rotors. Put in PS fluid, some PS stop leak, BG44K engine cleaner, new oil and OF and it now drives really good (so far).

Thanks in advance!

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Comments (4)

gooseberry_guy
20 years ago
At least one thing to be concerned about is the tendency of brake shoes and pads, as well as clutch linings to rust and stick to the metal they contact. I'm not sure what to recommend to prevent that, other than just driving the car.

GG
earthworm
20 years ago
Rather than letting her and idle, why not exercise her a little, on a weekly basis.
Some people change the fluids, fog the engine, remove the battery, and place the car on blocks...
Hard to say which is better....
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gary__
20 years ago
I understand the spare car idea. I don't think it's a great one though assuming that your daily driver is in decent shape. Talk to your insurance company. See if they will let you cover the spare and drop your daily driver for a week at a time. Then switch cars for a week every two or three months. If it were me, I'd forget the spare car idea and just get rid of it. Keep the money you get from it asside and rent a car if you need one for a few days. Odds are you won't ever have too.
bucky
20 years ago
Also a good idea to put some "gas stabilizer" in your fuel tank and run the engine so it circulated through the fuel system. Gas sitting for for any length of time can turn gummy and can foul the fuel system over time. With fuel injection systems this is even more critical. Gas Stabilizer is not expensive and works very well. I store my old classic car for several months each winter and use stablizer in the tank and carb. Never had a fuel related problem. Also use it in my motorhome and lawnmower.

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