Parking vehicle for 3 months

3 months isn’t that long. Rodents would be the biggest concern. Wouldn’t worry about anything else. Some cars sit on car lots longer than that.

 

Think about it. Wheels down, first contact is tires. Suspension bears the weight and the impact. With the frame on jack stands, you have the weight of the vehicle on 4 spots on the frame. Tips of the stands are probably 1”x5” so that’s a lot of weight on a small portion of frame. Just seems like that could be a bad thing over time

 

Clean oil, a full tank with fuel stabilizer, a battery tender and some rat poison and you’ll be good to go.

Don’t worry about your tires and jack stands unless your using old school bias-ply tires. The newer radial tires will be fine and I had mine parked for 6 months without any issues....

 

The steel in the frame and cast iron in the jack stand don't care if it's 5 minutes or 5 years, they'll either hold up the weight or they won't. The stand manufacturer anticipates this when they rate it, a 3 ton will have a smaller bearing surface than a 12 ton. Toyota also anticipates this. You'll notice they give suggested points where the frame is folded or thicker just for you to use for a jack or stand.

For example, these are the floor jack and support (jack stand or post lift) points from the 2005 Factory Service Manual.

 

Where are you located OP? I'll make sure your truck gets plenty of attention and gets out to the woods for some off roading action. Hate to see her get lonely. Oh yeah!

 

SoCal. I appreciate that! Nothing like having so many helpful people on this site!

 

Good idea to leave on a battery tender especially if you have an older battery.
Modern radial tires don't get flat spots or at least any that won't work themselves within the first few minutes of driving.
Old bias-ply tires did get flat spots.
No need for fuel stabilizer for that short period of time.

I routinely store Corvettes for 6-9 months with no issues. Storing over a year and you need to take precautions.

 

Thanks for the info!

 

When you get back, push the start button and go.

 

I just started my car the other day after sitting for 2 months and 5 days, fired immediately as if it only sat overnight.

 

My Truck sits 75 to 90 days at a time outside in the AZ Heat (work 75-90 off 75-90) the wife is supposed to start it but most the time she never dose, been doing this since New June 2017 never had any problems

 

Cool. I really appreciate the help. I’m feeling better about the whole situation now. This will be my last deployment and I shouldn’t have to leave the truck again.

 

I just did this with my Nissan, put a battery tender on it and parked it for 7 months, drove it, ans then parked it for 3 more. Started it up Sunday and drove it 6 hours no issue


If you're worried about rodents, Irish Spring soap is a good repellent, it has formaldehyde in it, they hate that. Buy an economy pack and distribute throughout cab and engine bay.

 

Like a kid, got to get dirty!

 

I put LED drop lights under the hood to detour rodents, easy to do since I already have power there for a battery tender. I've found it works better than peppermint extract or Irish spring soap.

 

Hi speed rated, low profile performance tires are the most prone to flat spots. Modern radials don’t really have this problem if it’s only a few months.

 

Three months is no big deal, mechanical. Retired from a career in the Navy I parked many times. Rodents are always a problem though. Poison or traps away from vehicle if in garage. You don't want to lure them to your truck.

 

Think the ideas above are all good.
Take what you need and go for it - lots of good experiences above.
Down to how bad your OCD is.
Personally - Oil Change if it is above 50% life of oil, Full fuel tank and a battery tender or disconnected battery
If you are putting out poison put it away from your area you want to protect - it is an attractant and you don't want to give critters any ideas.

 

In regard to fuel levels, you don't need to be a bit concerned if just leaving vehicle inactive for 3 months or so.

For extended periods, the safest inactive fuel tank levels can vary depending on the vehicle.

It's most always been the preference to leave fuel tanks full when vehicles are being stored as it will reduce condensation in the tank, however leave some modern vehicles (C7 Corvette, for example)
inactive and full of gas for 10-12 months and you could have a $2,500>$3,000 repair bill on your hands.

 

Stored my Explorer Platinum in my garage for 4 months. Hot and humid Florida. It was perfect upon my return. Here is what I did:

Cleaned inside and out, including engine compartment.
Fresh oil change
Full tank of gas
Overinflated tires 5 lbs
Rolled rear windows down 4”
Small portable fan inside blowing from back to front
Temp/humidity reader placed on dash
Hood left open
Battery tender installed
Pulled Arlo cameras off house and installed as follows:
One watching engine compartment
One watching overall interior
One watching temp/humidity sensor
Installed ceiling fan and left it running
Installed air exchanger from stall where Explorer was parked to actively used section used by vacation rental guests

*This year I am going to use Jack stands to get the tires off the concrete.