Vehicle Storage

Greetings TW,

Been lurking around this website for a couple years now. I have read a lot about lifts in the suspension section, great info. I am deploying soon, was wondering if anyone has tips for storing your vehicle for about 14 months. I have no one to look after it so I am leaving it in a storage unit. I’ve been told just to leave it on jack stands so the tires won’t deflate and disconnect the battery. Would that be recommended? If anyone has good tips please share.

 

How long?

Along with disconnecting the battery, run a little Stabil in the tank before storing it, toss some jumper cables in just in case, and put a 12V air compressor behind the seat so you can air up the tires if too low.

Depending on the age of tires and length of tax free vacation, I would skip the jackstands.

 

Where are you located? Depending on your level of trust I’m sure another military TW member would help you out by driving it once a month.

 

About 14 months to Kobani. The tires have about 5k miles on them, do you think the tires will be inflated still during those months?

I’m in Salt Lake City. I’ve had bad luck with someone watching my old car when I was just on leave. Nothing against TW members but I’d rather just store it for $130.

 

Will the military not store it for you? When I deployed in 2010, the Army payed for me to store my car in a facility that takes great care of them. They stored indoors, did regular checks, and drove them every so often. Mine was in perfect shape after a year of them babysitting it.

 

If they're new tires you can put on jackstands to reduce the possibility of flatspots, but either way the tires will be low on air when you return.

Since you won't actually be deployed for 14 months, and given the location are likely reserve component, you can't leave it at home or take it to your mobilization station and store it there?

 

The facilities are hit and miss depending n location(never seen indoor storage), but yes they'll likely store it for you.

 

2 months in El Paso then heading straight out. I’m terminating my lease and just paying for insurance and storage.

Should I get an oil change or just wait until I get back? Got one about less than 5k ago.

 

If it were mine, I'd change the oil. Also, whether you disconnect the battery or not, I'd put a trickle charger on it so it won't drain. Good luck on your deployment and stay safe over there.

 

Id change the oil (but use a dino oil to save $ since it will just sit) put the car up on stands, top off all fluids, pull the battery and keep it on a tender out of the cold if possible

 

Talk to your 1sgt, there should be a .gov sponsored storage option for a deployment of that length. Otherwise, jack stands, disconnect the battery, stay built the fuel, oil change as soon as you get back would be more important than before.

 

Alright thanks for the info, what do you mean by “stay built the fuel”?

 

Sorry should be STA-BIL fuel additive, prevents the fuel from breaking down and gumming up your injectors and fuel lines.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/STA-BIL-...35&wl11=local&wl12=16879745&wl13=1376&veh=sem