Truck sits a lot... any additional maintenance?

[MisterBen]

I have a 2009 Tacoma with the V6 engine that sits quite a bit, sometimes 2-3 weeks at a time. We drive my girlfriend's car a lot, and I travel a good bit, so the truck doesn't get a regular workout.

Are there any special precautions I should be taking with the truck, maintenance wise? Change maintenance intervals, or extra checks I should be doing?

I usually try to make a good run up and down the highway with it when I first start it up. I'd like this truck to last a very long time!

 

[demarpaint]

2-3 weeks sitting really isn't that long a time. Since it gets a good run I wouldn't be overly concerned.

Having said that I was in the same boat as you for many years. Actually my van would sit for 2 months or even longer. I fed it MMO via an Inverse Oiler. Adding it to the gas in your case would be a good idea. My logic was the MMO leaves a fine residue in the combustion chamber that will keep things clean and prevent flash rusting, especially if you live in a very damp climate or near the ocean like I do.

 

[unixguru]

I would probably try to oil door hinges a little bit more. Plus put silicon grease on the weather stripping. If you don't drive it that much you might want to expand oil change interval to like 1 or 1.5 years.

Also you can disconnect battery cable so it does not get drained by security & radio systems. In any case I would still let her idle for 10-20 minutes every couple of weeks. But I presume you do it anyway.

I would also try to keep a full tank of gas and put some Techron in there as well. I would avoid strong fuel detergents and Techron seems quite gentle.

 

[Drew99GT]

Originally Posted By: unixguru
In any case I would still let her idle for 10-20 minutes every couple of weeks. But I presume you do it anyway.



Many people would say that's the last thing you want to do. Idling for 20 minutes won't get the oil at operating temp, or things like the exhaust system. You always want to drive it so the engine is under load and actually get to operating temp. Plus driving it will help out with things like tires getting flat spots.

I'd make sure the tires are good and inflated, possibly use a battery tender, and as long as you take it for a good long drive at least once a month (sounds like you're doing that), it should be fine!

 

[bigmike]

Does the truck get stored outside or in a garage?

 

[mechtech2]

Battery. Esp in cold weather, a charger system should be employed.

Also, check for critters under the hood. I'm not kidding - snakes, cats, rodents, etc love engine compartments.
That loud squeal you hear on start up may not be a belt slipping!

 

[unixguru]

Originally Posted By: Drew99GT

Many people would say that's the last thing you want to do. Idling for 20 minutes won't get the oil at operating temp, or things like the exhaust system. You always want to drive it so the engine is under load and actually get to operating temp. Plus driving it will help out with things like tires getting flat spots.

I'd make sure the tires are good and inflated, possibly use a battery tender, and as long as you take it for a good long drive at least once a month (sounds like you're doing that), it should be fine!


Actually oil is the least of my concerns here when giving this recommendation. I was focusing on battery charging more than anything else.

 

[demarpaint]

2-3 weeks should not be long enough to worry about a good battery. As long as the vehicle is started and driven once in that period long enough to reach operating temps and burn off moisture everything should be fine. I've done it with several vehicles over the years exactly as I mentioned above w/o any issues. I've also prepped my son's BMW for storage during three tours to Afghanistan w/o issue. But that maint job is entirely different than letting a car sit for 2-3 weeks.

 

[MisterBen]

Thanks for the replies everyone! The truck is kept in a garage and isn't started or moved or anything while it is sitting. I bought a Schumacher (SP?) battery maintainer (not an overly fancy one), but haven't installed it yet. I am also still under warranty, so I have to stick to 6-mos OCIs for now.

I looked into the 2-cycle oil thing, but thought I read if it sits it can foul the fuel injectors, so I have stayed away from it. I do run some Techron through it every once and a while, and try to stick to reputable fuels. I make sure and fill the tank just before it gets parked.

The main reason I asked the question is a while back when I first started it, it ran a little rough for a while when I first got it out. Maybe though it was just bad gas or something. I hope to keep this truck for many years, so I want to keep it in top condition. We also use it for road trips and stuff, including winter, so I don't want to cause an issue where we might get stuck.

 

[bigmike]

Maybe consider a little stabil. It probably takes you awhile to go through a tank, so it would help keep the gas fresh.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: MisterBen
Thanks for the replies everyone! The truck is kept in a garage and isn't started or moved or anything while it is sitting. I bought a Schumacher (SP?) battery maintainer (not an overly fancy one), but haven't installed it yet. I am also still under warranty, so I have to stick to 6-mos OCIs for now.

I looked into the 2-cycle oil thing, but thought I read if it sits it can foul the fuel injectors, so I have stayed away from it. I do run some Techron through it every once and a while, and try to stick to reputable fuels. I make sure and fill the tank just before it gets parked.

The main reason I asked the question is a while back when I first started it, it ran a little rough for a while when I first got it out. Maybe though it was just bad gas or something. I hope to keep this truck for many years, so I want to keep it in top condition. We also use it for road trips and stuff, including winter, so I don't want to cause an issue where we might get stuck.


I'd use MMO it won't foul injectors, will keep things very clean and won't cause any problems. I prefer TCW3 for an old oil burner. I like the idea that MMO will prevent flash rusting in the combustion chamber. IMO if you are going to have a problem with an engine sitting 2-3 weeks that will be your problem. Mine sat that way or longer for years and all I did was the MMO thing. MMO also acts as a fuel stabilizer, but it is not as good as Stabil for longer term storage.

 

[MisterBen]

I usually try to use a tank a month (about), so I don't know if I need Stabil--but that is a good idea.

I will look into MMO, I have been interested in that in the past, but was on the fence. I like the idea, anyway.

 

[bigmike]

MMO gets a thumbs up from me. Been using it for 15 or so years in gas and quite often in the oil as well.

Going through a tank/month, I wouldn't worry about the stabil. I was assuming it was every few months or so.

 

[morris]

i have a 1975 case garden tractor, that has been moded, it has a reg car battery between the rear tires. that sets till winter then it pushes snow. i got tired of putting a new battery in each winter. so i bought a battery charger that charges max 2 amp. and i got a timmer that plugs into the outlet. then i set the timmer to be on 1/2 hour each day. even though this is the first year my voltage checks are good.

 

[M1Accord]

Why not just drive it once a week leisurely? If gas price was such a concern, you wouldn't have bought a truck, let alone a new one to sit. Vehicle get damage from sitting there unused. Things like battery, oil seals/rings, and the engine itself get more wear from lack of use. Two weeks is a long time and you are much more likely to cause more damage from cold start than someone driving their vehicle regularly. Additionally, that old gas can't be that good unless treated properly and I prefer not to put too much additionally chemical into my gas tank/car.

If I was you, I drive it either leisurely or take it to work on Friday if you work where there is good parking that won't destroy it. I don't know if you get cold weather in Washington area you live but that could cause additional problems as well.

 

[MisterBen]

I would drive it to work, but I don't commute by car. I travel a lot for work, and when I am gone it sits. That's why I try to drive it enough to go through a tank a month, and it goes on any of our trips. Fortunately, the weather here is very moderate and it doesn't get too cold much in the winter.

If I am going to get more cold start wear like this, would this be a good application for a pre-oiler system? I've seen both the pressurized systems, and the motorized pre-oiling systems, but never thought of it until now.

 

[M1Accord]

Originally Posted By: MisterBen
I would drive it to work, but I don't commute by car. I travel a lot for work, and when I am gone it sits. That's why I try to drive it enough to go through a tank a month, and it goes on any of our trips. Fortunately, the weather here is very moderate and it doesn't get too cold much in the winter.

If I am going to get more cold start wear like this, would this be a good application for a pre-oiler system? I've seen both the pressurized systems, and the motorized pre-oiling systems, but never thought of it until now.


You are a perfect candidate for pre-oiler system if you can find a good shop or mechanic to install it. I wanted that done on my 02 Accord when I got done with warranty but no taker from any shop I talk to around here. Recently, I became good friend with a master mechanic and he has worked on my vehicles for the past month, getting a lot of work out of the way. I am thinking of asking him to do it to my Corolla first to test out the procedure. I wonder if it is an expensive work in term of labor. His rate is 50 an hr according to the hrs in the book.

Other than cold start and battery, which I think you already have the solution to, I wouldn't worry about anything. I would still change the brake fluid once every 3 years though, regardless of mileage. Your tires won't have dry rot problem if you park in the shade or in garage and put wet towel over them. I know a fellow that does it to his Corvette and get his tires to last 12 years because they aren't exposed to harsh element. He drive it once in a awhile and spray it down completely after a run. Then he applies the tire shine stuffs on it and cover the tires with wet towels. I told him to just drive it and enjoy it since it's not a collector edition but he just keep it garage. Of course, he is also from that same school of thought that he must drive relatively new cars purchased new instead of second-hand or 6th hand in my case. I drive my cars every where but I take good care of them as far as maintenance go.

 

[bigmike]

Originally Posted By: M1Accord
Why not just drive it once a week leisurely? If gas price was such a concern, you wouldn't have bought a truck, let alone a new one to sit. Vehicle get damage from sitting there unused. Things like battery, oil seals/rings, and the engine itself get more wear from lack of use. Two weeks is a long time and you are much more likely to cause more damage from cold start than someone driving their vehicle regularly. Additionally, that old gas can't be that good unless treated properly and I prefer not to put too much additionally chemical into my gas tank/car.

If I was you, I drive it either leisurely or take it to work on Friday if you work where there is good parking that won't destroy it. I don't know if you get cold weather in Washington area you live but that could cause additional problems as well.



The talk of gas prices? How did that even come up in your response? Nowhere is there a mention the OP is discontinuing driving this vehicle based upon a price decision.

Engines get more wear from lack of use? I can understand you're explaining a cold start means more additional wear, but that's a stretch. The OP states his vehicle is stored in a garage - how cold does this garage get?

Going through a tank per month won't produce undesirable gasoline deterioration.

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/how-fast-does-gas-go-bad-in-your-tank.124021/

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/how-fast-does-gas-go-bad-in-your-tank.124021/