[s-cars] Re: CQ/S6 Storage

[Brett Dikeman]

At 7:25 AM -0400 5/11/03, Christopher Gharibo wrote:
>I drive my CQ in the winter and S6 avant in the summer (6 months each).
>
>For ideal storage, what're the steps I should be taking as I store either one
>for 6 months. Some thoughts come to mind, butb please feel free to add:
>
>1. Shoul I disconnect the battery? Should it be hooked up to a trickle charger
>or should I just let it drain?

   Remove the battery from the vehicle(after making sure you have the
radio codes etc), clean the tray on the car, clean the surface of the
battery(especially the top- believe it or not, battery fluid residue
on top of the battery will cause discharge) and terminals- anything
that looks like battery fluid should be neutralized with baking soda
dissolved in warm water and THEN mopped up.  Check the levels of all
the cells and top up as necessary with distilled or deionized water.
Place on the maintenance charger and check up on the battery
regularly.

A multistage maintenance charger is the best choice.  Battery Tender
makes two models, and Yaesu(a battery company) makes what is probably
the fanciest.  Many motorcycle/atv dealers stock these chargers.
Note- you do NOT want a "deep cycle" or marine charger, nor just a
regular "automatic" charger.


>2. Is it OK to leave the used oil in engine for 6 months, would this
>facilitate corrosion? Or should I do an oil change and then store.

Yes, do the oil change first.  Used motor oil is acidic, among other
things.  Check the oil filler cap after a day or two to make sure
there's no 'milkshake' from condensation- if so, drive the car until
the oil temperature gets up, then let it idle for a while to really
heat up(don't just start it and let it idle, it'll take forever.)
Synthetic will be much better than dino oil for storage, by the way.

>3. Should the fuel tank be full or empty?

Full, but run it to empty in the days before, add some stabilizer,
and then fill it up so it mixes well(just like you would with
additives.)  Make sure the stabilizer is for automotive use.

>4. Any pressure issues with the tires?

Long as they're not loosing pressure, no.  As for them going square,
there are round-shaped widgets(picture a set of chocks,basically)
that keep the tires from getting a flat spot.

>5. Any issues that apply to the S6 and not the CQ, or vice versa?

Not that I can think of.

>Plase feel free to address any other areas I might have left out.

a)change the brake fluid, since brake fluid retains water, and if the
car sits unused, any water in the fluid will cause corrosion+pitting,
which will destroy seals.  Don't forget the clutch circuit.

b)fully clean and condition all leather surfaces(Lexol works great
for both) and clean+protect seals(window, door, hatch, etc)

c)if the coolant is within 6-9 months of its end-of-life(2 years),
change it before the storage.  Do not use tap water, particularly if
you have high mineral content in your water.

d)drive the car with no A/C for a few days before you store it to dry
out the A/C condenser so it doesn't have funky stuff growin' on it.
If you're a contortionist, spray a lysol/water mix from the floorwell
up at the condenser.

e)take the oppertunity to clean up the wheels if they're dirty. Brake
dust is very corrosive and will do a number on the wheel finish if
you leave it there for 6 months.

f)if the timing belt is nearing 60k or 6 years, do it before, not after

There are also those who say you should regularly start+drive the
vehicle until it gets up to temperature, and then re-garage.

I'm assuming you're not storing the car(s) outdoors, that's yet
another set of problems... :-)

B
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"They that give up essential liberty to obtain temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." - Ben Franklin
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