frankfast

I've taken a job outside the states that could last four years. I'll be returning about once every month for a couple of days at a time but it's not worth insuring and registering my beloved '01 C4 Cab. Outside of selling it, what might be the best way to keep it in good shape. Obviously, I'll start it and warm it up each time but is there anything else I should do to keep it in good shape. It still only has about 22000 miles on the clock but with all the attention given to cars with failed IMS bearing and RMS issues from lack of use, I'm a bit concerned. Any help would be appreciated.

ivangene

4 years - sell it, you will have less to worry about, and when you get done you can start searching for the "next one" which is fun too...

keep it simple

frankfast

No, I can't bring myself to sell it. If I did I'd probably never get another one. The money would go to something else. That being said, what is the best way to keep it stored. Right now I have a trickle charger on it but that's it. I can roll it around in the driveway so the relatively new tires don't develop a flat spot. Can anyone tell me why the lack of use might cause an IMS or RMS failure?

jeneric996

I would recommend Stabil gas treatment and change your oil at least once a year. Get a good battery charger like Battery Tender. Get a good indoor car cover and ensure no rodents can get into your garage.

Your tires make get out of shape from the prolong sitting but should go back to round after several miles. You may want to increase the tire pressure +5 psi but remember to adjust it back.

You also want to change the brake fluid every two years per the manual's recommendation.

Macster

I'm with ivangene. Sell it. Even though you ask for advice on keeping the car in good shape outside of selling it the deck's stacked against you.

You still need to insure the car though you might get a discount if the car's registeration is changed to inactive.

However, if the car ever sets foot, err tire, on a road (and this includes a parking lot) it should be licensed and insured for that use.

The car is subject to deterioration from lack of use (seals/gaskets/o-rings dry out and will leak once you resume using the car on a regular basis.

Not sure I'd want to leave a car hooked up to a battery maintainer/charger for nearly a month with no one to check on the car every so often.

Even if you start and run the engine every once in a while unless you start out with the gas tank low (not recommended) or run the tank down every couple of months so you can add fresh gas (via a can cause you can't/shouldn't drive the car to station) that gas will be 4 years old. I've been told a car that has just 2+ year old gas can suffer from the gasoline's deterioration to require a new fuel pump, filter, injectors and fuel line cleaning to resurrect the engine from the ravages of leaving the gas in the car too long.

You still need to consider the cost of registeration, licensing, insurance, etc.

It will depreciate, too.

And it is at risk of rodent damage from sitting idle so long.

Sell it.

Sincerely,

Macster.

frankfast

At this point the only option other than selling would be to have someone drive it once in a while. I'm sure my son would be thrilled to exercise it on a bi-weekly or monthly basis and yes I can trust him with it. At least it stays in the family.