Leaving the car sitting for 4 months
10-11-2015, 04:28 PM
#1
Super Member
Thread Starter
Leaving the car sitting for 4 months
Okay guys, I need your help here.
I am going to leave my car sitting in a garage from November all the way up to March next year. That's 4 months. Is there anything I should do with the car? The car is 2009 CL63 AMG.
A few questions:
1) Should I leave a full tank, or better 1/4 or less? Any difference at all?
2) I heard that after a while suspension will just lower the car all the way down? Is this true? I don't want to come back and see my car sitting literally on the floor.
3) Should I unplug auto-battery?
4) Oil change is due in next 1500 miles or so, should I change it now,or rather in March?
5) Should I ocasionally start the car in a garage and let it run? If so, for how long and how often?
I am not even getting winter tires as I won't really drive the car until March. I would be very glad to hear any suggestions. Your help would be greatly appreciated. Absolutely no experience here. Thanks.
I am going to leave my car sitting in a garage from November all the way up to March next year. That's 4 months. Is there anything I should do with the car? The car is 2009 CL63 AMG.
A few questions:
1) Should I leave a full tank, or better 1/4 or less? Any difference at all?
2) I heard that after a while suspension will just lower the car all the way down? Is this true? I don't want to come back and see my car sitting literally on the floor.
3) Should I unplug auto-battery?
4) Oil change is due in next 1500 miles or so, should I change it now,or rather in March?
5) Should I ocasionally start the car in a garage and let it run? If so, for how long and how often?
I am not even getting winter tires as I won't really drive the car until March. I would be very glad to hear any suggestions. Your help would be greatly appreciated. Absolutely no experience here. Thanks.
10-11-2015, 06:11 PM
#2
MBWorld Fanatic!
Keep it dry.
Fill the tank - keep water vapour out.
Keep the car on the wheels.
Keep the tyres pumped up.
Keep the front wheels straight.
Keep the battery charged up to at least 12.4V.
Suspension may drop, but not a great problem.
Open the doors from time to time.
These cars like to be driven, not stored.
Nick
Fill the tank - keep water vapour out.
Keep the car on the wheels.
Keep the tyres pumped up.
Keep the front wheels straight.
Keep the battery charged up to at least 12.4V.
Suspension may drop, but not a great problem.
Open the doors from time to time.
These cars like to be driven, not stored.
Nick
10-12-2015, 02:44 AM
#3
MBWorld Fanatic!
Yep, like Nick said, I'd change the oil, fill up the tank, put on a battery tender, make sure the wheels are straight.
If you can, fire it up and let it run for 10 minutes every couple weeks. Even if you don't move it more than a few inches at least shift it trough the gears to keep tranny fluid moving.
If (LOL) I mean, when it does sag, just shift it in to neutral after you fire it up and take your foot off the brake. It should hop right back to the correct height.
If you can, fire it up and let it run for 10 minutes every couple weeks. Even if you don't move it more than a few inches at least shift it trough the gears to keep tranny fluid moving.
If (LOL) I mean, when it does sag, just shift it in to neutral after you fire it up and take your foot off the brake. It should hop right back to the correct height.
10-12-2015, 03:44 AM
#4
Your battery will go dead in 3-4 weeks if you don't keep it hooked to a battery tender
Your suspension will drop too. Best to start it at least every 2 weeks for 15 minutes or so
Your suspension will drop too. Best to start it at least every 2 weeks for 15 minutes or so
10-12-2015, 09:43 AM
#5
Super Member
Thread Starter
Thanks a lot, guys!
Why does the suspension drop anyways? Are you sure it doesn't hurt anything? As tires go inside (under) the fenders, does it not create the pressure on the plastic inside the fenders? (don't really know how to describe this...)
I have no problem starting it every 2 weeks for 15 minutes or so, as it is parked in an underground garage, I might be even able to drive it for like 200 yards around the particular floor of the parking lot. I won't take it out due to winter conditions ~ with summer tires.
Why does the suspension drop anyways? Are you sure it doesn't hurt anything? As tires go inside (under) the fenders, does it not create the pressure on the plastic inside the fenders? (don't really know how to describe this...)
I have no problem starting it every 2 weeks for 15 minutes or so, as it is parked in an underground garage, I might be even able to drive it for like 200 yards around the particular floor of the parking lot. I won't take it out due to winter conditions ~ with summer tires.
Last edited by GMBALL; 10-13-2015 at 07:05 AM.
10-12-2015, 03:47 PM
#6
It drops because it's a hydraulic suspension and it cannot hold that pressure constantly without the pump being on to repressurize the system
Yes it much better for the car if you drive it in the garage every couple weeks
Yes it much better for the car if you drive it in the garage every couple weeks
10-13-2015, 02:52 PM
#7
MBWorld Fanatic!
No, it won't damage the fenders if you keep the front wheels straight.
What it may do over time is stress the rubber suspension bushes, which are installed and tightened at normal ride height, so the bushes are normally unstressed.
I would consider putting wooden blocks under the subframes, so that if it does sag, they will take some of the weight off the tyres and suspension, and stop the suspension sinking too far.
Nick
What it may do over time is stress the rubber suspension bushes, which are installed and tightened at normal ride height, so the bushes are normally unstressed.
I would consider putting wooden blocks under the subframes, so that if it does sag, they will take some of the weight off the tyres and suspension, and stop the suspension sinking too far.
Nick
