Car will be unused for 4 months, what should i do ?
Car will be unused for 4 months, what should i do ?
Super Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 818
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta, GA
'02 C230 Coupe (Me) '03 SLK320 6MT (Wife)
We've had this happen with a couple of cars at work from time to time. We jump them off, put them back in service and don't see any unusual problems. (That being said, they do not get treated gently, so I wouldn't say we were the perfect example.) Of course, they are not MBs.
I know Coupe has sat undriven for about 6 weeks at a time. My only procedure was to switch it on and give a few seconds for the fuel pump to do its thing. Each time it fired right up, sounded horrid for the first 5 seconds or so, but that was just oil pressure coming up. I just made sure not to rev it. I did figure that the tranny fluid was just as cold and settled, so tried to give it a bit of idle time before I drove off, but really no idea if that helped or not.
I know Coupe has sat undriven for about 6 weeks at a time. My only procedure was to switch it on and give a few seconds for the fuel pump to do its thing. Each time it fired right up, sounded horrid for the first 5 seconds or so, but that was just oil pressure coming up. I just made sure not to rev it. I did figure that the tranny fluid was just as cold and settled, so tried to give it a bit of idle time before I drove off, but really no idea if that helped or not.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,067
Likes: 11
From: Westwood, NJ
2004 Civic Si. FWD for the Win!
Nate, I would remove the battery then and connect it to a trickle charger.
Then change the oil and filter first thing in the spring before starting it up.
Then change the oil and filter first thing in the spring before starting it up.
Banned
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 910
Likes: 2
From: In Kush Land So cal
02 C320 Sedan
Damn there are people that don't drive there cars in the winter time??? what do you drive then??
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,067
Likes: 11
From: Westwood, NJ
2004 Civic Si. FWD for the Win!
Trending Topics
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 192
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
4 months is nothing - as a previous poster said just lock it.
Keep tyres inflated properly if possible, Get someone to roll it back & forth a few times to prevent flat spotting the tyres. I would not put it on stands for such a short break. Some tyres are more prone to flat spotting if left stationary (Bridgestone for one). This is not a train smash. When you first use the car again just drive it carefully for the first 10 miles or so to let the flat spots settle out of the tyres. You might hear a slight tap, tap, tap initially.
If the vehicle is going to be exposed to conditions below freezing point - make sure your coolant concentration is correct with a refractometer or similar device.
Keep tyres inflated properly if possible, Get someone to roll it back & forth a few times to prevent flat spotting the tyres. I would not put it on stands for such a short break. Some tyres are more prone to flat spotting if left stationary (Bridgestone for one). This is not a train smash. When you first use the car again just drive it carefully for the first 10 miles or so to let the flat spots settle out of the tyres. You might hear a slight tap, tap, tap initially.
If the vehicle is going to be exposed to conditions below freezing point - make sure your coolant concentration is correct with a refractometer or similar device.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 459
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
06 C230 6 Speed FTW
Thanks for the info guys. Yeah have to have two cars up hear. With the snow it can be hard to drive a RWD car. After a few inches its a no go. Then there is the salt that they put all over the roads. Which helps in the rusting of your car. It's great.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,140
Likes: 1
From: Long Island, NY
C3Twon AWD Jumpofffff
i just came back from MN. My sister lives out there in Rochester, MN. I could imagine how harsh the winters are going to be out there... There are so many bugs on the highway too in the summer.... it's baddd
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 8,384
Likes: 800
2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
I can see not driving the car in 6 inches of snow, but not driving it in winter at all? No way. The car was cold-weather tested and should be fine. Plus the 2006 year cars are properly galvanized and rusting shouldn't be a concern.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 459
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
06 C230 6 Speed FTW
No one that has nice cars drives them in the winter up here. The salt and sand on the roads really messes up the car and RWD with ice and snow don't mix. I don't take any chances.
Last edited by omg its nate; Sep 4, 2009 at 07:58 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,263
Likes: 169
From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
Old school wisdom used to be, to pull the plugs, pour a tablespoon of oil in each cylinder,
so they don't rust while sitting.
Put it up on jackstands so the tires don't get flat spots,
put the battery on some sort of trickle charger and a timer.
If it's going to be unattended, and depending the climate, I'd also get a 'desiccant'
bag at the local hardware store, it sucks up moisture, keep your interior from getting musty. And cover the car to protect it.
I'd also try to park it with as little fuel in the tank as possible. Like on reserve.
Syphon it off if you have to, put it in a vehicle you will drive.
When you're ready to drive it, get a 5 gallon gas can of fresh fuel before starting.
Longer periods, drain the tank.
And I'd start with fresh oil....either drain and fill before leaving, or after.
I don't think it matters, if it's just sitting.
Check the belts etc before starting.
so they don't rust while sitting.
Put it up on jackstands so the tires don't get flat spots,
put the battery on some sort of trickle charger and a timer.
If it's going to be unattended, and depending the climate, I'd also get a 'desiccant'
bag at the local hardware store, it sucks up moisture, keep your interior from getting musty. And cover the car to protect it.
I'd also try to park it with as little fuel in the tank as possible. Like on reserve.
Syphon it off if you have to, put it in a vehicle you will drive.
When you're ready to drive it, get a 5 gallon gas can of fresh fuel before starting.
Longer periods, drain the tank.
And I'd start with fresh oil....either drain and fill before leaving, or after.
I don't think it matters, if it's just sitting.
Check the belts etc before starting.
Last edited by C230 Sport Coup; Sep 4, 2009 at 01:44 PM.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 192
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
All good advice apart from draining the tank. You are going into a cold period. Fill the tank to the brim so no condensation takes place in the air space on tank walls. With a full tank in cold weather you won't loose the light ends of the fuel & the car will start fine after the layup. You can do the other things but probably overkill for 4 months.
Moisture in the fuel system will do more expensive damage than any other types of neglect.
Moisture in the fuel system will do more expensive damage than any other types of neglect.
