JW Booth

Planning a trip abroad, possibly for around 3 months.

Hopefully I can leave it with a friend so he can drive it once every few weeks around the parking lot or to the market to keep the tires from flatspotting.

But there's a chance he's moving.

If so, how long is it safe to leave the car without moving it and not ruin the tires?

I've seen "flatstoppers" and similar items for sale:

http://www.raceramps.com/long-term-storage.aspx

Any opinions/suggestions?

Thanks.

JW Booth

PS - Mod(s) - If there is a better forum for this question, please move it.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

there is NO possible way to tell how long the tires will flatspot, as each tire manufacture uses different rubber compounds than the others.
one brand will flat spot quicker than the other, for example. which brands, we possibly couldnt tell you as I dont think we have enough data collected over a long period of time. However, Google might have this data that you can search for.

also, if you are super afraid...put the car on jack stands and take the tires off.
Now, you've solved your problem of flat spots, as there will be no flat spots!!!!!
be sure to fill the tires back up to proper pressure levels when coming back from your trip and installing them.

your friend doesnt even have to move the car. as three months will be fine
if you wanted to preserve your battery, disconnect it.

thoiboi

if it's just on jacks () why would you need to remove tires?

I would put it on a battery tender rather than simply unplug it.

https://www.amazon.com/Deltran-Batte.../dp/B00068XCQU

thoiboi

Woodja lookathat! This one is on sale for $20 ! Battery Tender Jr. 022-0192 12V 0.75Amp Junior High Efficiency Battery Charger/Maintainer-Newegg.com

TacoBello

What I've always done is over inflate the tires for the winter. Assuming none of your tires slowly leak, I'd just put in 5psi more and that's it. I've never had issues over the winter, though, to be honest, I've only stored a car twice during the winter. This will be my 3rd.

TacoBello

and yes, a battery tender is a good idea. Also, put some fuel stabilizer in the gas tank and that's really all you need.

personally, I highly recommend putting a car cover over the vehicle. You'd be amazed how much dust and who knows what else settles on the car over the months. That, and you're less likely to have anything ever damage the paint... trust me... you'll end up doing something and thinking afterwards "why didn't I have a cover on this thing?". Ask me how I know

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

LOL 6am posting.

TacoBello

Also, you're better off not driving it all winter, as opposed to firing it up every few weeks. Unless you let the engine oil fully warm up (the coolant temp gauge on your dash does not indicate how warm the oil is... it generally takes much longer to heat up the oil than it does the coolant).

Just winterize it right and let it sit. Trust.

JW Booth

Thanks for the opinions/info guys.

I'm in Nevada, and it can get cold or below freezing sometimes but not snow.

Was planning to get a car cover as it'll be stored outside, so cannot use a battery tender.


TacoBello - "What I've always done is over inflate the tires for the winter. Assuming none of your tires slowly leak, I'd just put in 5psi more and that's it. I've never had issues over the winter, though, to be honest, I've only stored a car twice during the winter. This will be my 3rd."

"I'd just put in 5psi more and that's it."
5 psi over the tire manufacturer's recommendation?

How long have you stored it for over the winter without moving it?

Edward'TLS

If you are not driving the car for an extended period of time, pump the tires to the max pressure as indicated on the tires' sidewall.

This will help preventing the tires from flatspotting.

However, don't drive the car with the tires inflated to max pressure, because the car will have much reduced traction on wet roads.

potmilkz

id put it on jackstands.. nothing wrong with jackstands.. they are cheap too..

TacoBello

5psi over what the vehicle calls for. If the car calls for 35psi, I put 40, for storage. I store my car for about 6 months of the year.

I prefer this option, but I tuck my car literally 1" from the wall. It makes it impossible for me to put jack stands on the side against the wall, safely.

TacoBello

Max pressure on the tire? I wouldn't recommend that. Especially if it's sitting for an extended period. I wouldn't recommend that at all.

thoiboi

Take out the battery and stick it on a battery tender no one said it had to stay in the car

Edward'TLS

Why not ?

The air pressure will keep the tires from flatspotting, especially so because the tires are sitting flat on the ground for an extended period under the full weight of the vehicle.

thoiboi

so... You're saying that increasing the pressure in the tires somehow alleviates the weight on said tires?


What kind of voodoo physics is that?!?!


you you know what else would relieve the full weight of the car from the tires? Putting it on jack stands...

Mickman

I store my summer car through the winters for the past 7 years now. My tires have never flatspotted. Every year I park the car, leave it on a battery tender, full tank of gas, and do an oil change before I the first start in the spring (I don't start it at all during the winter).

Never had any issues.

Edward'TLS

Due to the fact that the vehicle weight is always constant when the car is stationary, so, the higher the air pressure inside the tires, the smaller it is the contact patch between the tire and the ground.

A smaller contact patch means less flatspotting. It's as simple as that.

If one can blow up the tires like a balloon, then there will be no chance of flatspotting. However, the max tire pressure stamped on the tires is always the limiting factor.

thoiboi

Jack stands = zero contact patch on ground

Kermit drink tea.jpeg

TacoBello

Also, I think it's pretty rare for modern, low profile tires to flat spot.

Eitherway, everyone has their own opinion on the matter. No one has had issues. Just pick and run with it.

csmeance

Many modern tires will flatspot due to the variety of compounds used! It all depends on temp, tire composition and duration the tire is left in the same position.

For the OP, fill the gas tank with fuel stabilizer, disconnect the battery and fill the tires to the MAX PSI indicated on the sidewall. If you oil is going to be older than a year when you return, get it changed before you leave as oil becomes acidic as it ages. Also put a few humidity absorbing packs/damp rid on the inside of the car with a package of moth balls. This will keep mold/moisture from ruining the interior and the moth balls will keeps bugs and critters out.