GhostMeat

Hey all, I need to kind of "shelve" my 2007 TSX for about 6 months while I'm away on biz. Anything I should do to keep it in reasonable shape? I assume disconnect the battery? That it? Any of my fluids going to give me problems if they settle in the engine for a few months?

Little background: I live in the Washington DC area -- it's winter, but not, I dunno, like Boston. The car will have to be in my reserved spot outside though. I know. Sucks. I'm not really much of a car guy who can take his TSX apart blindfolded (like many of you are). I just lurk here for knowledge. Fortunately, my TSX has never really given me any problems. But I've never let it sit for an extended period of time.

horseshoez

iTrader: (2)

Park it; disconnect the battery. When you get back, change the oil, reconnect the battery and drive; simple as that.

mrgold35

I would change the oil if you use conventional oil and you are close to 15% mark. It might help to up the PSI to 40 since you will drop 1-2 per month and the higher PSI will help with flat spots. I would also keep the gas around 1/4 tank or less. Hate to have an issue with the gas after +6 months and you have a full tank to use before you can replace. The best thing is have a buddy start the car once a month are driving it around until it hit operating temp for 20 mins or so.

horseshoez

iTrader: (2)

Starting it once per month, unless it is driven say at least thirty miles, will be of zero benefit, and in fact, might be a negative. Just park the car and disconnect the battery; you'll be good to go.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

sometimes my car sits for a month or two.
if the battery isn't too old, the car will start every time.

and of course; I have a takeoff checklist;
- Check tire pressure in all 4 tires.
- check oil level
- check for any sort of leak
- check mirrors
- start up
- listen for strange noises
- take off

WheelMcCoy

Agree with everything except for the "1/4 tank of gas or less" part. Isn't it preferable to leave a full tank to give less room for moisture to condense?

mrgold35

I was thinking winter blend gas with ethanol in there now and it will be close to the end of summer when the TSX hits the road again. The OP can always add something like Heet and the alcohol will bind with any water in the gas tank. If Heet isn't enough, adding 3/4 of fresh summer blend gas should dilute the winter blend. There are also so many opinions about how long does it take for gas to go bad and the answers vary from it starts within 30 days with ethanol to 3 years with regular gas with a 6-12 month average depending on what website. The OP might think about using Sta-Bil if the car will sit for the +6 months. There is a 99% change of just leaving the TSX alone for 6 months will be just as good as doing all the other extra stuff.

My choice would be wash any winter salts/dirt, garage kept, put in fresh syn oil, have a someone drive to operating temp every two weeks, run the A/C, make sure tire PSI stay in normal range. My choice isn't right or wrong, just what I would do.

BROlando

There are storage instructions in the manual.

Unplug the battery. Put it on a battery tender if u can.

Maybe change the oil before OR afterward.

Fill the tyres up to max PSI. Adjust it when u get back.

Fill the tank. Use some stabil if you're worried.

Leave your parking brake OFF. Park it in gear if its manual trans.

That's about it.


You'll likely need new brake rotors when you get back.

9000revs

Inflate the tires to something like 45 and park it on a tarp to prevent flat-spotting.

Wash the car very well, clean int/ext and put a cover on if you have one.

WheelMcCoy

+1 on the car cover... once you know the car is completely dry after cleaning. I left my TSX Wagon at the airport for about 10 days, exposing it to a lot of rain. When we got back, rust had formed on the brake rotors. There was enough to feel vibration in the steering wheel and chassis. And it wasn't the thin layer kind that you can just drive off. It took about 3 days before the car felt normal. I'd hate to think what happens in 6 months.

Also, I agree with @BROlando to keep the parking brake off. If you're on an incline, chock the wheels.

horseshoez

iTrader: (2)

Kind of funny, I've found regardless of whether it is three rainy days or three months of weather between drives, amount of rust on the rotors is no different. In either case, a small amount of driving will clean them off and they'll be good as new.