4Runner V8 will be on storage for 2-3 months

[hyperthread]

Hello everyone,
I will be on a assignment that requires me to be out of the country from March to May. What should I do to prevent any damage to my 4Runner because it will be kept unused for 3 months? Any kind of suggestion will help me I am pretty sure.

 

[M1911]

Do you have a trusted friend who could drive it every couple weeks?

If not, I'd put some gas stabilizer in the tank, put it up on jackstands if possible (to avoid flatspotting the tires), and change the oil when you get back.

 

[Conspearasea]

Mine routinely sits for 4-6 weeks in a dusty and sunbaked parking lot, I have had zero issues with leaving it sitting for that period. I would not hesitate to leave it for longer w/o any special treatment....the industry I work in guys are routinely gone for several months or longer and do nothing special for their trucks.

Gas stabilizer like mentioned couldn't hurt, but if it were me I would just be sure to have a jump box and air compressor handy in case you come back to a dead battery or flat tire....

JMO, based on the fact mine sits for extended periods all the time.

 

[G.I.G.]

I wouldn't do much. I would add gas stabilizer as others have mentioned. Make sure you have driven it a bit with the stabilizer in the tank so it gets through your entire fuel system. I might disconnect the battery but that isn't even necessary.

I wouldn't worry too much about flat spots on the tires. That can occur in far less time (like having your car sit for a few days or a week) but it goes away quickly from driving it.

Enjoy your trip.

 

[Skywlkr]

If you park it on concrete and choose not to use jack stands, I would try to find some carpet peices or rubber mats to put under the tires. Concrete can wick the moisture out of your tires and can cause dryrot.

 

[hyperthread]

Thanks everyone for your response! This board rocks!

 

[MikesToy]

When i was AD, i flushed and changed my oil and added B&G. I washed, waxed, and detailed inside and out. Then i covered it even tho it was staying inside the garage due to dust. I got back 6 months later and it started like a champ.

 

[Nuke]

The effects of 2-3 months of storage are benign. To play it safe, though, here are the things that I do when I used to store my Stang every winter (4 months or more) before moving south:

1. Stablizer in the fuel tank, car driven at least 20 miles to get treated fuel throughout the fuel system.

2. Relatively fresh oil change (if using synthetic blend, no more than 3 months prior to storage; if using full synthetic then no more than 8-9 months prior to storage).

3. If your battery worries you, either disconnect it or connect a Battery Tender (or any other brand) trickle charger

4. If rodents are a concern, stuff wadded steel wool or aluminum foil in the tailpipe and intake openings (just be sure to remove later!)

5. Place cardboard, carpet or some other vapor barrier under each tire or jack up as mentioned earlier

6. If you want the cabin to smeel nice after storage, place a scented dryer sheet or other "smelly" air freshener in the cabin


Starting the car and letting it run at a standstill is more detrimental than not starting it at all. If it's to be started, it should also be driven at least 20 miles to drive off moisture and to get the seals heated up.

 

[gm350reratliff]

Since I'm such a nice guy, I'm volunteering to drive your 4runner for you while your away. I always wanted to try out a V8 runner anyway.



I used to have a tall lifted chevy truck that I only drove once in a while due to mpg's. I had to park it outside the whole time. Things I noticed were:

The battery would go dead after a while. The alarm on the truck seemed to be the cause of this.

When the battery goes dead, the alarm does no good for protecting the truck.

After so many times of the battery going dead, that fairly new battery would no longer charge

Tires do dry-rot on concrete. Fairly fast as well

Seals seem to get dry then leak (2+ years of barely driving, mostly sitting).

Paint fades fast so wax, wax, wax before sitting.

 

[galactic_04]

Like they said, fuel stabilizer and maybe some rat traps around.

I leave my 49 chevy parked and it moves about every month for just a mile or two and goes back and I haven't had a problem with it.