Storing car outside for 4 months – Advice?

[Chris Salvato]

My 2010 Nissan Versa hatchback has fallen victim to the Takata airbag recall, and Nissan is so paranoid that they’re offering loaner vehicles for affected drivers until March, when the recall repairs are scheduled to begin. Part of the loaner agreement is that I cannot drive the recall vehicle until it is time to get the repair done.

This leaves me with the task of parking my Versa out on my driveway for the duration of a Chicago winter (garage is too small and too full of other crap to store it there).

I’ve read all sorts of advice on how to store a car for the winter, but a lot of the tips I’ve found are for folks trying to protect vintage or specialized cars; all I want to do is make sure the car doesn’t get any serious issues over the idle time, without spending a ton of money.

My initial plan is to simply cover the car with an inexpensive (but not cheap) car cover, top off all fluids, run it at idle for an hour or so every weekend, top off the gas every month with treated gas, and keep the tires inflated.

I’ve read all sorts of other advice, but what else, if anything, are realistic precautions for a 4-5 month outdoor storage on a 92,000-mile economy car that I’ll realistically only be keeping another 2-3 years?

Thanks! and Stay Dirty!

Topic

[Richard Kirshy]

Fresh anti freeze.
Oil & filter change.
Keep the gas tank full
Might consider getting the car up on jack stands under the rear axle and front lower control arms (Keep the suspension under load, and prevents flat spots on the tires)
Silicone all the gaskets.
Get a trickle charger for the battery

[Chris Salvato]

Is the trickle charger necessary if I plan to run the car every week for an hour or so? I’d rather not invest in a piece of equipment I’m only going to use once.

[Richard Kirshy]

That would be your choice.
But considering the cost … $10.00 – $20.00.
Not a bad investment for long term storage of a battery.

[Author]

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