Car in Storage

[nightvision]

Hi all, <br />I have a 1985 500SEL with 112,000 miles. The car stills runs good and is in good condition. Three questions: <br /><br />a. I'm actually car sitting this Mercedes for my parent for a couple years. I don't use it as a daily car. It mainly sits in the garage. Now, how often should I drive the car around to charge the battery? I was planning to take it out every 4 weeks and drive around city steets and for about 5 to 7 miles. Would this be sufficient to charge the battery? Also, can I charge the battery just running the engine for 5 minutes or so? Just want to know the best way to charge the battery without plugging it into a battery charger. <br /><br />b. Is it necessary to take the car out every 2-3 weeks for the purpose of running the engine and getting all the parts moving and lube? If so, will city street driving be sufficient or should I take it on the freeway (high speed)? I figure I put 5-10 miles. <br /><br />c. I just changed the oil and oil filter. I figure this car will just get about 500-1000 miles per year. How often (months or miles) should the oil be changed since it's in storge. At this low milage, is it necessary to change the oil filter everytime I change the oil. <br /><br />So basically, I have a car that is in storage, but want to maintain it. Thanks. <br /><br />Thanks.

 

[stan_deezy]

Re: Car in Storage

My thoughts for what they're worth and from personal experience with German cars:<br /><br />a). It needs a lot longer than 5-7 miles or 5 minutes idling to charge up the battery. The starter circuit draws a lot of current. I'd aim at 10-20 miles and forget the idling: mixture is rich and will wash the oil from the valvetrain/cylinder walls. Also idling won't work the brakes or the aircon.<br /><br />b). Yes: take it for a good run: at least 20 miles and get the engine nicely warmed through to get rid of condensation in the exhuast and to get nice hot oil flowing freely through the engine.<br /><br />c). I'd be changing the oil every six months.<br /><br />In between the running times I'd have the car on axle stands if you don't intend to run the engine/drive the car regular: takes the weight of the sidewalls of the tyres and eases the pressures on the wheel bearings.<br /><br />One thing I've noticed is that leaving the engine standing seems to destroy the oil seals quite quickly (German cars all seem to use similar rubber in the seals).<br /><br />Hope this helps and it's just my views based on sometimes costly repair work from leaving the cars standing too long

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Car in Storage

I would drive it at least once a month. It wouldn't hurt to drive it on the freeway for 10-12 miles. Just make sure you get it up to temp and keep it there long enough to burn off any condensation in the oil and exhaust system.<br /><br />As for the battery, you should get one of these.<br /><br /> http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=42292

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Car in Storage

Stan has pretty much hit it on the head. <br /><br />Driving it every month dosent necetate putting the car on stands.<br /><br />You can change the oil every six months if you want, but once a year would be OK.<br /><br />You deffinatly want to drive the car on the freeway longer than you think to dry out the exhaust system, a least 20-30 minutes. <br /><br />It also takes longer for the oil temp to get up close to the water temp than you think it does.<br /><br />Your main concern will be fuel. If it were long term storage without driving the car I would fill the tank, but because you are driving the car I wouldnt put any more fuel in the car than I had too, and would use a stablizer. I would go on a trip somewhere every six months and burn the fuel out and add fresh. No more than a quarter of a tank. I also would put at least 10 OZ. of marvel mystery oil in with the fuel. If you cant get it there, a little TC-W3 would be good. This will help with rust in the tank.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Car in Storage

I would not make such a fuss over how long you run it or how often.The easiest thing to do is to just use the car for your own purpose once -twice per month.Take it to work and out to lunch or whatever it is you do during the course of the day.By designating a drive of a certain time or milage amount ,you are making a job out of it.Just use it for the day.Always change the filter when doing the oil change and twice a year change will be plenty.Make sure you use the a/c EVERY time you drive or start it.This is VERY important!!Gotta keep that system lubed from the inside and working.If its cold out just turn the dial from blue to red but leave the a/c button ON.Skip the stands,they are not necessary.I have done long term storage on a few cars and have found it necessary to keep a trickle charger on to keep battery charged and fresh.If you let it run down more than one time (and it is inevitable)the battery wil be garbage.I usually leave the charger hooked up and under the hood with an extension cord running from under the car and hook it up to the light in my garage so every time I am in the garage the battery is getting charged.Also very important to keep the windows open a bit so the inside does not get a musty smell.

 

[Bob in Calif.]

Re: Car in Storage

nightvision..........<br /><br />Every time you take the Benz out for a gallop, you should run the air conditioner for about 10 minutes. That year Benz has R12 Freon, which needs to circulate every so often, along with the a/c oil, as all freon charged " apliances" do. This is to keep the seals from drying out and shrinking, thus eliminating the chance the freon and oil from leaking out of the system and causing it's demise. <br /><br />R12 systems are getting quite expensive to restore these day's. R12 Freon is roughly $40.00 a lb., and up these days, plus parts and labor. <br /><br />...Bob in Calif...