Taking my Subaru off the road for 6 month!

Wheels · 10-26-2003, 12:59 PM

Should I do anything else besides disconect the battery?

Taking it off so I don't need to insure it. We only realy use one car and with my insurance going up 300% we might as well remove one till my two(my-fault claims) come off in April. Then either put it back on the road or sell it with even lower than average miles on it.

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X1_SRT · 10-26-2003, 07:04 PM

i did the same thing with my car when i was sick, and out of work. but the best thing to do is to get storage insurance. i think mine was $40ish for 2 months. this way its still protected if something should happen to it (i.e. tree falls on it, garage burns down...)

-PJ

2wheelsx2 · 10-26-2003, 07:08 PM

Fuel stabilizer, change the oil and filter. Lube everything (hinges, etc.) Thoroughly clean, dry and wax the car. Put tires up to max. pressure, or better yet, put the car up on blocks and store the tires on their sides if you can covered up away from ozone or UV.

marcus12 · 10-26-2003, 07:09 PM

6 months, no drivin?
-Jack up car, put blocks (or jack stands) under Frame, and remove wheels (saves your shocks/struts)
-Get a "Fogging spray" (auto zone) and Fog the engine like it tells you on the side of the can
-Put some fuel stabilizer in the tank (preserves fuel)
-Remove battery from car, store in a cool, dry place, and charge it about once a month
-Try to get you car inside, but if not possibe invest in a GOOD exterior cover, or at the very least, some blankets and a Waterproof tarp.

Best to drain fuel tank but if not fill to top to reduce air in tank. Air has water which condences as air cools this is heavier than gas and goes to bottom of tank. Layer of gas over water prevents evaporation. Drain tank or fill it to very top.

that should just about do it...I've heard people removing the spark plugs, but that's just hearsay...not sure myself.

If you don't want to go through all that, make sure the gas tank is full to the very top, remove battery, and then plug in the battery once a month and start her up...

happy winter

//marcus

nosoupforyou · 10-26-2003, 09:20 PM

How about in a heated garage environment? I'm going to be parking the STI for the winter, however it will be in heated storage. What would you all recommended doing for that? I've never parked a car for a season, so I'm unsure.

Snowphun · 10-26-2003, 09:31 PM

Temperature has little to do with any of those precautions. Fuel will go off over time, tires may develop flat spots. Rodents and wildlife may be more of an issue in winter.

FWIW, I leave a car covered in my driveway for 5+ months every winter (so far it's been a 944 for 3 winters, a Miata for 2), with nothing more than a tarp. I drive it around the block a few times over the winter, but otherwise have not had issues.

Paul

doppelganger · 10-26-2003, 09:49 PM

These cars are JUST Subaru's.
Am I missing something?

I know people who collect some seriously valuable cars. One single car is easily worth MORE than 10 new STi's COMBINED. They do nothing to prep the car for this. Just start it up once every 5-6 weeks or so.
Up on blocks? Total overkill.

nosoupforyou · 10-26-2003, 09:55 PM

The only reason I'm parking my STI for the winter, is I figure it will run me 1,400 or so to put winter wheels/tires on it, and I can get a great dependable car from a friend of mine for that price.

So, I figured it just made sense to park the STI, keep the winter wear and tear off of it seeing how buying my buddies car would cost the same as putting wheels/tires for the winter.

lotusTT · 10-26-2003, 10:52 PM

Yes the car might cost the same as the tires, but what about all the other stuff. Maintence on the other car, insurance/registration for it, storage costs for it over the summer, storage costs for the STi over the winter...I'm doubting it will be cheaper to have a second car.

nosoupforyou · 10-26-2003, 11:13 PM

Well, the owner of the car is a mechanic, mechanically the car is perfect, the car only needs to run 4 or so months out of the year, heated storage for the STI during the winter is free (friend owns a mall, and stores classic cars in a room underneath it) Storage for the winter car I would buy during the summer is also free. Insurance will cost me nearly nothing. Plus, should I ever need the car for something rather than the winter, I'll have it, rather than having a set of wheels.

Its not this easy for everyone I'm sure, for me its not bad. I figure the little amount I spend on insurance will surely be repaid in keeping the milage, and wear and tear of winter off the car when I decide to sell it or trade it.

Wheels · 10-27-2003, 02:38 AM

Car will be stored in a none heated garage. The wheels will be removed. The tank will be full.

now to decide if I should sell it or store it

Siper2 · 10-27-2003, 07:55 AM

Wheels,

Just give me the car for the winter. I'll take care of it for you.

-S2-
(turbo envy)

paultg · 10-27-2003, 08:05 AM

Quote:

but the best thing to do is to get storage insurance. i think mine was $40ish for 2 months. this way its still protected if something should happen to it (i.e. tree falls on it, garage burns down...)

That's as far as I'd take things personally, along with making sure the fluids are all topped off (gas, etc..) likes folks have suggested.

When I was ready to get the car back on the road I'd probably change the oil.

Insurance is important though, especially if the car has a lien on it. Most lenders require a certain amount of insurance.

Paul G.

Jack ffr1846 · 10-27-2003, 08:09 AM

Wheels, if your plan is to sell it after this 6 month period, you may want to rethink. Depreciation is eating away at the value of the car, even if mileage depreciation is not. If your plan is to sell it, do it now. Your cost to store it (it will cost you something) plus whatever insurance and (biggest cost) depreciation will make it very unworthwhile in the spring, when you put it up for sale. Sell it now and pay off some loans or buy US Savings bonds or something. Figure on losing about $300 a month (average) for every month you store the car, just on time depreciation.

then, of course....you'll have money to buy my old S4 wheels to go on your A6

jack

10-26-2003, 12:59 PM	#1
Wheels Scooby Specialist Member#: 5410 Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Wappingers Falls, NY Vehicle: 2013 BMW X1+335XI Blue and Black	Taking my Subaru off the road for 6 month! Should I do anything else besides disconect the battery? Taking it off so I don't need to insure it. We only realy use one car and with my insurance going up 300% we might as well remove one till my two(my-fault claims) come off in April. Then either put it back on the road or sell it with even lower than average miles on it. * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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10-26-2003, 07:04 PM	#2
X1_SRT Scooby Newbie Member#: 31323 Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Rockport, ME Vehicle: 02 RS midnight	i did the same thing with my car when i was sick, and out of work. but the best thing to do is to get storage insurance. i think mine was $40ish for 2 months. this way its still protected if something should happen to it (i.e. tree falls on it, garage burns down...) -PJ

10-26-2003, 07:08 PM	#3
2wheelsx2 Scooby Specialist Member#: 44045 Join Date: Sep 2003 Chapter/Region: VIC Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada Vehicle: 2004 Impreza WRX White	Fuel stabilizer, change the oil and filter. Lube everything (hinges, etc.) Thoroughly clean, dry and wax the car. Put tires up to max. pressure, or better yet, put the car up on blocks and store the tires on their sides if you can covered up away from ozone or UV.

10-26-2003, 07:09 PM	#4
marcus12 Scooby Specialist Member#: 45613 Join Date: Oct 2003 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Columbia, CT Vehicle: 2005 Legacy GT Ltd. Satin White Pearl	6 months, no drivin? -Jack up car, put blocks (or jack stands) under Frame, and remove wheels (saves your shocks/struts) -Get a "Fogging spray" (auto zone) and Fog the engine like it tells you on the side of the can -Put some fuel stabilizer in the tank (preserves fuel) -Remove battery from car, store in a cool, dry place, and charge it about once a month -Try to get you car inside, but if not possibe invest in a GOOD exterior cover, or at the very least, some blankets and a Waterproof tarp. Best to drain fuel tank but if not fill to top to reduce air in tank. Air has water which condences as air cools this is heavier than gas and goes to bottom of tank. Layer of gas over water prevents evaporation. Drain tank or fill it to very top. that should just about do it...I've heard people removing the spark plugs, but that's just hearsay...not sure myself. If you don't want to go through all that, make sure the gas tank is full to the very top, remove battery, and then plug in the battery once a month and start her up... happy winter //marcus

10-26-2003, 09:20 PM	#5
nosoupforyou Scooby Newbie Member#: 45621 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Uxbridge, Ma Vehicle: 04 STI Black/Silver	How about in a heated garage environment? I'm going to be parking the STI for the winter, however it will be in heated storage. What would you all recommended doing for that? I've never parked a car for a season, so I'm unsure.

10-26-2003, 09:31 PM	#6
Snowphun NASIOC Supporter Member#: 1800 Join Date: Jul 2000 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Way South Shore MA Vehicle: WRX /Cooper S/Miata awd/fwd/rwd	Temperature has little to do with any of those precautions. Fuel will go off over time, tires may develop flat spots. Rodents and wildlife may be more of an issue in winter. FWIW, I leave a car covered in my driveway for 5+ months every winter (so far it's been a 944 for 3 winters, a Miata for 2), with nothing more than a tarp. I drive it around the block a few times over the winter, but otherwise have not had issues. Paul

10-26-2003, 09:49 PM	#7
doppelganger Scooby Specialist Member#: 23007 Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Massachusetts	These cars are JUST Subaru's. Am I missing something? I know people who collect some seriously valuable cars. One single car is easily worth MORE than 10 new STi's COMBINED. They do nothing to prep the car for this. Just start it up once every 5-6 weeks or so. Up on blocks? Total overkill.

10-26-2003, 09:55 PM	#8
nosoupforyou Scooby Newbie Member#: 45621 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Uxbridge, Ma Vehicle: 04 STI Black/Silver	The only reason I'm parking my STI for the winter, is I figure it will run me 1,400 or so to put winter wheels/tires on it, and I can get a great dependable car from a friend of mine for that price. So, I figured it just made sense to park the STI, keep the winter wear and tear off of it seeing how buying my buddies car would cost the same as putting wheels/tires for the winter.

10-26-2003, 10:52 PM	#9
lotusTT Scooby Specialist Member#: 23359 Join Date: Aug 2002 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: San Francisco Vehicle: 2002 BMW M Coupe Steel Gray	Yes the car might cost the same as the tires, but what about all the other stuff. Maintence on the other car, insurance/registration for it, storage costs for it over the summer, storage costs for the STi over the winter...I'm doubting it will be cheaper to have a second car.

10-26-2003, 11:13 PM	#10
nosoupforyou Scooby Newbie Member#: 45621 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Uxbridge, Ma Vehicle: 04 STI Black/Silver	Well, the owner of the car is a mechanic, mechanically the car is perfect, the car only needs to run 4 or so months out of the year, heated storage for the STI during the winter is free (friend owns a mall, and stores classic cars in a room underneath it) Storage for the winter car I would buy during the summer is also free. Insurance will cost me nearly nothing. Plus, should I ever need the car for something rather than the winter, I'll have it, rather than having a set of wheels. Its not this easy for everyone I'm sure, for me its not bad. I figure the little amount I spend on insurance will surely be repaid in keeping the milage, and wear and tear of winter off the car when I decide to sell it or trade it.

10-27-2003, 02:38 AM	#11
Wheels Scooby Specialist Member#: 5410 Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Wappingers Falls, NY Vehicle: 2013 BMW X1+335XI Blue and Black	Car will be stored in a none heated garage. The wheels will be removed. The tank will be full. now to decide if I should sell it or store it

10-27-2003, 07:55 AM	#12
Siper2 Scooby Guru Member#: 1134 Join Date: Mar 2000 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Dillsburg, PA Vehicle: 2007 BMW 328xi wagon Silver	Wheels, Just give me the car for the winter. I'll take care of it for you. -S2- (turbo envy)

10-27-2003, 08:09 AM	#14
Jack ffr1846 Add Lightness Moderator Member#: 13699 Join Date: Dec 2001 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Hopkinton, MA Vehicle: 2007 Lotus Elise (From General)	Wheels, if your plan is to sell it after this 6 month period, you may want to rethink. Depreciation is eating away at the value of the car, even if mileage depreciation is not. If your plan is to sell it, do it now. Your cost to store it (it will cost you something) plus whatever insurance and (biggest cost) depreciation will make it very unworthwhile in the spring, when you put it up for sale. Sell it now and pay off some loans or buy US Savings bonds or something. Figure on losing about $300 a month (average) for every month you store the car, just on time depreciation. then, of course....you'll have money to buy my old S4 wheels to go on your A6 jack