I have a 2000 Dodge Durango and still owe 9,000 on it! We recently got orders to Japan and we want to put our vehicle in storage for 4 years! What will need to be done to insure my truck still runs when we return? I will have my parents to look over my vehicle but need to know WHEN and WHAT needs to be done!
2007-02-05 11:02:18 · 4 answers · asked by lil mami 4 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
I can tell you what I do to my older car, but that probalby won't work for your fuel injected vehicle. Your best bet is to call a Dodge dealer ship, or if you have it, check your owners manual.
Some things to do:
Put D-con mouse baits under your hood and around your vehicle. This will make sure no rodents make a home of your vehicle while it's parked, and It will make sure your wiring is still in one piece also.
Put fuel stabilizer in the fuel tank, and make sure it get's parked with a full tank. Or just drain the tank and crank the car until it stops running, then crank it a few more times to make sure all the fuel is out of the system.
Give it a fresh oil change before parking, and then pull out all the spark plugs and spray some Marvel mystery oil in the cylinders. This will make sure the cylinder walls don't rust while it sits. Be generous with the Marvel. And make sure you reinstall the plugs afterwards, and don't start it once this is done.
You might want to put some moth balls in the interior, to repel snakes and insects.
Disconnect and remove the battery, and give it to someone else to keep for you, or just have it recycled.
You may want to put some rags in the hole where air enters the airfilter housing, so small animals don't make it their new home.
This is all I can think of for now, jus check your owners manual, or call a dealership.
2007-02-05 11:25:46 · answer #1 · answered by quick_ridez 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
After having stored cars for extended periods of time, the following would be my recommendations: Flush and change the coolant and oil just before storing. Jack up your Durango, using good quality jack stands and solid jack points, so that all the tires are off the floor. If you do not, the tires will have flat spots. Store inside, a clean, dry inside - not on a carport or sitting outside under a tarp. Cover the vehicle with a good quality fabric cover. Recharge the battery and run up the vehicle every couple of months. Since the wheels are off the ground, the caretaker can put the car in gear and give the drive train a little work out. When running the vehicle, operate all options, especially the A/C. Run the gas tank almost dry. Leave only enough to start and run the vehicle. Keep comprehensive insurance in force. Do not loan your vehicle to any friend or relative.
That said, remember that your vehicle will still depreciate in your absence and you will be paying for a vehicle you will not drive except when on leave. So whether you lose money now or lose it over four years, there is no escaping the fact that vehicles you actually drive are almost always a financial loss.
2007-02-05 19:38:33 · answer #2 · answered by db79300 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have your parents drive the vehicle. Start it up and drive it around every couple of weeks, and put fuel stabilizer in the gas tank. As long as you don't let it sit for too long (over a month) then it should continue to start up and run fine.
2007-02-06 22:41:14 · answer #3 · answered by Doug 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
DB's got it right. Even if you have to sell it at a loss, its STILL cheaper. No insurance, no storage, no maintainence. No chance it'll get stolen, or fall off the jackstands and kill somebody. No chance it'll depreciate or rust shut. No worries.
4 years? Time to cut bait.
2007-02-06 18:26:46 · answer #4 · answered by electron670 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋