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#1027535 08/13/04 08:24 PM
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I seem to remember a post like this a while back, but couldn't find it while searching, so I apologize if this is a repeated question.

In about two weeks, I am leaving home for college and my 'tour will be sitting in our garage, being driven hardly at all until I return in in December. What kinds of things do I need to do before I leave to ensure that I don't return to a car that won't run? Should I put in a full tank of gas, or leave it mostly empty? Change the fluids right before I leave or right after I come back? Anything else?

Thanks.


1995 Contour GL 2.0L ATX- Teal Metallic+Grey Int. Brown University, Class of 2008!
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Go to a school that allows frosh to drive


-- 1999 SVT #220 -- In retrospect, it was all downhill from here. RIP, CEG.
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You'll only be gone for a little over three months, and you said it will be driven some in the meantime. So it'll be fine. Just do your regularly scheduled maintenance at the regular intervals.

If no one is going to start it up and drive it for you while you're gone, disconnect the battery terminals (you may need to recharge the battery when you get back).

It doesn't matter whether it is full of gas or low on gas, because you are not going to be gone long enough for the fuel to be affected. Fuel is good for at least 6 - 12 months (or longer) when it is in a sealed container (like a Contour fuel tank). Same with the oil, brake fluid, etc.

If you are going to store a car for a long time (more than 6 months), you need to consider adding fuel stabilizer, plugging orifices, putting the car up on jackstands, etc.

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You should be ok. I'd make sure it has a full tank of gas, and if its going to start getting cold while you have it parked, make sure good antifreeze is in it.

Im about to leave for college too, but I bought the contour just TO drive to college.


1998 Contour SE 2.5L Duratec DOHC 5spd. "Who needs a working IMRC? - I don't." 1968 Chevelle 300 Deluxe 1994 GMC Yukon SLE 1972 Plymouth Roadrunner - restoring for a friend.
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If you have someone driving it once in a while, you may want to make sure that they turn all your accessories on for a while while they drive it. Especially the A/C, maybe have them turn on the blower to full for a bit, windshield wipers, spray some washer fluid, etc..

Other than that, I wouldn't really worry too much. 3 months isn't that long a time.


Moderated by  GTO Pete, Trapps_dup1 

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