I read and comprehend well. The information I offered is from personal experience and is relevent to anyone who is storing or will be storing a vehicle for a short time. I am sure the OP does not need it now, but it is very applicable to anyone reading this thread wanting good general storage knowledge for future reference. That was the intent.
Parking a vehicle for at least 3 months
- Thread starter GSCJR
- Start date
I knew using TCW-3 had multiple benefits but did not know it also works as a fuel stabilizer. I'm curious how it was proved or discovered?
By accident @Dave1027. My 2-stroke seasonal equipment never had or has issues, so there must be something in the oil that has fuel preserving qualities. I have no other proof other than that, and I have no other way to explain it, and as a result, I use TCW-3 as fuel stabilizer. Further, some TCW-3 oil promote the fact the it contains stabilizer. Could it be that brands that don't have it advertised as containing stabilizer actually have it? Maybe.
Stored my 2005 Jeep Liberty CRD diesel for 5 years (could afford to fix a major mechanical issue) . I filled the tank full with diesel, added a heavy dose of stabilizer, and diesel biocide, drained / flushed the cooling system, added brand new coolant (no water) , drained the oil , added brand new Redline synthetic , jacked up the Jeep, put it on Jack stands , so the tires wouldn’t flat spot.
Put the Odyssey AGM truck battery on a NOCO automatic (on/off) trickle charger.
I started it once a week for 5 years to get it hot and circulate the oil, coolant and keep the seals fresh. EDIT:, I also completely flushed the brakes/ fluid, and added brand new fluid. I pressed the brake pedal multiple times during the once a week start up .
Finally repaired the issue last year. Zero issues with storage that long.
Put the Odyssey AGM truck battery on a NOCO automatic (on/off) trickle charger.
I started it once a week for 5 years to get it hot and circulate the oil, coolant and keep the seals fresh. EDIT:, I also completely flushed the brakes/ fluid, and added brand new fluid. I pressed the brake pedal multiple times during the once a week start up .
Finally repaired the issue last year. Zero issues with storage that long.
Our Honda is running just fine once again, with just a top up of the A/C refrigerant and some nitrogen for the tires. The MM is currently at 60% and the oil looks to be a little dark (about 4.5k kms so far) and down about .5L at most, since I last drove it in March (nothing to note then other that A/C and tires then also). Tonight while visiting Walmart to get a few staples, I picked up a quart of 10w-40 SuperTech for it and topped it up in the parking lot before heading home. The value line battery from Walmart, that I installed a year ago, seems to holding up, one year later.
Full tank of gas, Heet Red bottle, stabilizer in tank, run car a bit. Go on Scamazon, buy 4 yellow " no flat spot" tire ramp thingys ( dirt cheap ) No electric ???? Remove battery and store indoors on a tender . Have electric ??? Leave battery alone and just hook up tender. A cheapo outdoor car cover would be a nice touch to save paint from dings, salt air, birds, etc.,,,,over inflate tires by 20 lbs....,,,, fresh oil change.
Exactly! It always makes me laugh when people think they are doing a good thing with starting it. How ridiculous!
The Honda fired right up as expected last night. The A/C works and the oil level is still in the safe zone; I'm going to buy a Powerball ticket!
TPMS has illuminated, so I suspect a sensor has died being an '08, it's not the typical ( i ) icon I get after a several months; MM now at 50%.
TPMS has illuminated, so I suspect a sensor has died being an '08, it's not the typical ( i ) icon I get after a several months; MM now at 50%.
My only concern would be mice if they are around. Moth balls in the car and under the hood? But you will need to air out car for a few hours before driving.
Definitely get a good car cover. I finally got a Budgie brand for my Mazda and it was well worth the $98 spent.
I've been fortunate with respect to rodent damage, nothing to note since the start.
I've toyed with this idea, the salt air is real and it's drying out the weatherstrip. The greater concern would be accelerated mold growth due to the darkness:
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Last week I pulled a 2019 F350 diesel out of outside storage, the truck has been sitting since last August with only a battery tender. The fuel tank was full, and with the diesel fuel was Stabil for diesel and Power Service diesel additive. Additionally, rodent bait packs set on the ground, located at inside of the trucks' wheels. Note I live in a very dry climate.
Pulled off the car cover, removed the battery tender, and the truck started right up. Moved the truck to the street, and inspected the rodent bait pouches-- they were not sampled by any animals.
The truck immediately went on a 3400 mile drive, zero issues. Full gas tank with Stabil as directed by the producer, diesel fuel additive, and battery tender made taking a truck out of long term storage as a very simple process/ solution. The 3400 mile drive immediately after removing from storage was a great test of the process.
Pulled off the car cover, removed the battery tender, and the truck started right up. Moved the truck to the street, and inspected the rodent bait pouches-- they were not sampled by any animals.
The truck immediately went on a 3400 mile drive, zero issues. Full gas tank with Stabil as directed by the producer, diesel fuel additive, and battery tender made taking a truck out of long term storage as a very simple process/ solution. The 3400 mile drive immediately after removing from storage was a great test of the process.
Agreed, it's better off sitting untouched.
On my way home tonight, I stopped by Mavis Tire and topped up the tires using their outdoor tire inflator, they were closed for the night. The TPMS indicator went out immediately upon starting the vehicle. My guess is Honda must use the (i) icon when tires are low, and a TPMS light for critically low pressures. The 10w-40 has helped curb oil consumption; 1500 kilometers since the top off 
TPMS indicator is on again. A stop at Mavis Tire revealed that the LR tire was significantly low. While stopping at the local WM neighbourhood market for groceries, I waltzed into Ross and low and behold a tire repair kit staring at me in the automotive/hardware/tools section. I drove to the back of the Ross parking lot away from the action and removed the tire. Staring at me was the remains of a nail, which some saliva confirmed a leak. I had some hand tools in the car, removed the nail and repaired the tire with the plug kit. I then proceeded to roll the tire to Mavis again, in the adjacent parking lot to refill it. I rolled the tire back to Ross and reinstalled it on the Honda. Before heading home, I drove the CRV back to inflate the spare, since I had everything apart as it was near flat; crisis averted
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