Going out of town for a month, car parked outstide..checklist?

[BrooklynMW]

Sorry in advance if there have already been threads on this topic. But here's a new one.

I'm heading out of town for 5 weeks, and will be leaving the e30 behind. I wanted to make myself a little checklist of things to do, and I'd love the forum's help. Also, the car will be parked outside.......which sucks.

All I can think of is disconnect the battery. Anything else?

Since the car will be outside I was thinking of buying a cover for it. On the other hand my current financial situation is shit, so I might not have the budget for one. The exterior of my car is still in pretty bad shape, so I don't think it'll make all that much of a difference on the body. Are there any other benefits of a car cover besides prtecting the paint and interior from sun damage? The car will be parked in an area NOT condusive to rust.

So instead of a full cover I was thinking of getting some sun sheilds for the windows. Because unlike my less than impressive exterior, my interior is spot on. I don't want to come home to cracked dashboard and dried out leather seats. Was maybe thinking of leaving the windows slightly cracked for circulation. Would that be better or worse? It's going to be July in San Diego, so the chances of rain are slim to none.


Anyway, any advice or pointers would be a big help.......and spare the snide comments for a change.

Thanks!!!

[phreshkid]

Lock the doors and remove the deck's faceplate?

[lambo]

Take seats out and store them inside?

[BrooklynMW]

Take seats out and store them inside?

That's not a bad idea.

[M-technik-3]

Stabile in the fuel tank, full tank. Battery tender, tire cradle to prevent flat spots or put winter wheels on it with cruddy tires. Inflate tires to 5 psi higher than normal to prevent flat spotting.

Park car in gear, release parking brake. Cover exhaust pipe to prevent critters from entering. box of baking soda in interior to absorb odors and mildew.

[BrooklynMW]

Now that's a pretty badass list. She's an autotragic, so shouldn't I just keep her in park?

Let's say I can't afford tire cradles. Will filling the tires up an extra 5 be enough to prevent flat spots?

[87e30]

Let's say I can't afford tire cradles. Will filling the tires up an extra 5 be enough to prevent flat spots?

My car was parked outside for several months with 0 precautions taken.

It molded inside...

But no flat spots. :D

[BrooklynMW]

So far, the plan is do park it on my mother in-law's driveway. which would be outside and exposed to the elements, also on a slight incline. However, there is a chance I'd be able to park it at my father in-law's house, which is still outdoors, but covered, there for out of the sun (mostly) and rain. If that's the case, I can leave the windows slightly cracked to prevent mold. But baking soda is definitely gonna happen.

[325ix]

Cover the interior with a nice thick sheet, and maybe put some leather moisturizer on them.

Oh, and I had a car parked for over a year with no precautions done to the tires and they are fine.

[learningcurve86]

depending on crime rates in the area take dated photos of the car prior to leaving?


but maybe that's a bit paranoid...:loco:

[M-technik-3]

I have hate flat spot tires and notice them, I have the cradles that I can move the car around the garage Helps for winter storage.

On a hill you are going to see flat spot on the fronts as the gravity is pulling on the car on the hill vs sitting on a level surface. IE rolling down the hill guys not flying off into space....lol.

Auto, leave in park, makes it just harder to tow away with parking pawl in place. E brake released so shoes don't freeze up to rotors and cables freeze up.

The extra air pressure and only being gone a month your likely not to see any flat spots.

Clean the interior and make sure you have NO food inside, summer equals ants and bugs. And mice/ chipmunks

[BrooklynMW]

Thanks everybody for the great suggestions! Fortunately, I will be able to park the car at my father in law's place, which is outdoors, but is well covered and completely level. So flat spots, sun and rain are not much of an issue. It's in a very safe neighborhood, so the chances of a break-in are slim to none. Nevertheless, here's the list I came up with:

-Sun visor for front window
-clean and condition leather, vacuum the carpets.
-cover seats. (I have a fitted seat cover for the rear already, was gonna just throw moving blankets on the fronts.)
-open a box of baking soda
-leave two windows ever so slightly cracked. I mean slivers.
-Remove deck faceplate
-starter disable code
-disconnect the battery (will this cancel out the starter disable code?)
-inflate the tires 5psi higher than normal
-leave the car facing front, in park, handbrake off

Anything I'm missing?
Thanks again

[BrooklynMW]

Thanks everybody for the great suggestions! Fortunately, I will be able to park the car at my father in law's place, which is outdoors, but is well covered and completely level. So flat spots, sun and rain are not much of an issue. It's in a very safe neighborhood, so the chances of a break-in are slim to none. Nevertheless, here's the list I came up with:

-Sun visor for front window
-clean and condition leather, vacuum the carpets.
-cover seats. (I have a fitted seat cover for the rear already, was gonna just throw moving blankets on the fronts.)
-open a box of baking soda
-leave two windows ever so slightly cracked. I mean slivers.
-Remove deck faceplate
-starter disable code
-disconnect the battery (will this cancel out the starter disable code?)
-inflate the tires 5psi higher than normal
-leave the car facing front, in park, handbrake off

Anything I'm missing?
Thanks again

[Massimo]

Put car on car bricks and remove wheels. Then it looks like it has already been fucked with, and no one else will do anymore fucking.

[BMC227]

lolll don't mean to be rude but i can't believe there's a thread for this.