[Mattjkilo]

Gentleman I am soon to leave the UK and any form of modern civilisation for the next 4 months and would like any pointers you may have on preparing my car for the duration of my time away.

It's going to be garaged throughout and has just been detailed before being stowed away.

Any points to take away will be thoroughly appreciated.

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Ok, having done same before.

Make sure tires fully inflated, correct levels.
Pop a bit of grease on bonnet catch .
Make sure you have all your codes (if required)
Make sure your keys are in a (wife can't move them) safe place.
I usually shove some desiccant sacks in car - just prevents any dampness.
I tend to fully fuel it to brim.
Make sure tax, insurance are actually in date for return.
Previously I have chocked wheels and left hand brake off.
Make sure oils, fluids all ok.
Check the floor under the car has no oil or leak marks, as when you get back, it's a good pointer if you have a low pressure leak.
For winters, obviously anti freeze and screen wash to winter mix.
Make sure no fruit, sweets, or other perishable stuff in car.
Make sure someone knows where keys are and how to connect battery.
Make sure nothing near can fall on it.
Think about an indoor car cover.
Disconnect battery - making sure windows closed.

Bound to be more lol although 4 months is nothing really
6-8 is much more manly

[Mattjkilo]

I did a full 12 month tour less than a year ago! This is something a wee bit different! Nuff said!

Didn't think of the bonnet catch grease actually!

[....,,,,..,,..]

Originally Posted by Mattjkilo

I did a full 12 month tour less than a year ago! This is something a wee bit different! Nuff said!

Didn't think of the bonnet catch grease actually!

Tbh not really needed, however I used to be at Lossiemouth and leaving car from october to March and it gets bit cold n damp etc.

That and it was left outside, I came back one January and had like 4 inches of ice on the car in about a foot on snow lol. It started first time
Although taking it for a drive at -10 proved fun lol.

I soooo don't miss 12 month dets.

[Tengocity]

Indoor dust cover would be good.

Leave it in gear and hand brake off.

I'd be tempted SORN it and save the road tax

[Mattjkilo]

I'm potentially thinking about letting my other half take the car out after each month to give it a 90 mile round trip commute. Trying to toss up between that or getting it SORN.

[....,,,,..,,..]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

Indoor dust cover would be good.

Leave it in gear and hand brake off.

I'd be tempted SORN it and save the road tax

If it's a 6 monther it's worth doing, gets to be a pain with 3-4 months, invariably you need the damn car to get to bloody post office 10 miles away lol.

However good point.

[gadget32]

I store cars for clients for 6-12 month stints and my advice is, check antifreeze, handbrake off and leave in gear, disconnect battery close windows and all will be fine when you get back.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by Brigand

If it's a 6 monther it's worth doing, gets to be a pain with 3-4 months, invariably you need the damn car to get to bloody post office 10 miles away lol.

However good point.

Depends on how much your road tax is and how tight you are I suppose!

I think you can sort it all out online these days, so as long as you had internet access before you returned then I'm sure you could have new tax disc waiting for you. The tax disc is being done away with soon, so hopefully that will really make things easier.