Hi Guys,

I have business trip, and I'm leaving for 8 days starting tomorrow. I don't think I have ever let me car sit for more than a few days ever.

I was wondering if there was anything I should do to the car before I leave? I understand 8 days isn't that long, but just wanted to be cautious. I don't want to come back to a dead battery, or any other problems.

I have 35-40 min 10 mile drive home (traffic) and then I will park the car outside.

Is there anything I should do to the car when I get back? Drive for a certain amount of time? etc.

Thanks!

Brad

 

8 days shouldn't really be a problem, I've left my car sit for about a week once and started up with no problem.

 

Your car will be fine after sitting for a week. I've done it with my car for 2 weeks with no problem at startup. Just make sure you warm it up well when you return.

 

tires might flat spot, but after you drive it a few miles they should be fine. I left my car in the garage for 9 days over Christmas while I was out of state, no issues starting up or driving. I just started it and let it idle for 3 minutes before taking off and took it easy the first few miles.

 

You'll be fine...just let it idle and warm up for 3-5 minutes before driving.
Enjoy

 

8 days? I wouldn't be too worried about it to be honest.

 

I work at home, and with winter still here (dragging on and on), sometimes a whole week can slip by without driving my G... sitting there all lonely in an unheated, detached garage.

As said, just let it warm up for a minute. You're fine, and you're in Florida. That, and it's just a car, not a horse.

 

Left the G at home for 2.5 weeks and just kept the gas tank full and when came back started up just fine and let it run for a while before driving it. You will be good!

 

Are you saying I should have a full tank of gas? Currently have about 1/4 tank, does it matter?

 

No. It doesn't matter at all. Eight days is nothing. I leave my car for 5 1/2 months every year, disconnect the battery, reconnect when I return and it starts right up and runs fine, no matter how much fuel is in the tank. I'm in Florida too.
Don't sweat the small stuff.

 

don't worry. im a weekend driver. i leave the car garaged for a week or 2 all the time. sometimes more.
there won't be any problems, full tank or 1/4 tank.

 

No, you don't need to do anything for just a couple weeks. For a few months, disconnect the battery, fill it up, change the oil, put it on stands if you have a garage.

 

I can understand the other things that should be done when leaving a car sitting for a while, but why should the gas tank be full? And does anyone know if there are any other things that should be done when not running a car for a long time (3-6 months)?

 

^^ To minimize exposure of gas to the air (oxygen) with which it oxidizes. The best of course is to drop the tank and drain it dry, but it is way overkill even for a year of sitting.

 

Some years back, a relative was in a bad car accident (in a different car). Their car sat for 3+ years in a somewhat temperature controlled garage, with likely premium fuel in the tank. Car would not start due to a dead battery. We replaced the battery, and it fired right up on the 2nd crank. Ran a little rough, but ran none the less. Just goes to show, those chevy lt1's will run on anything!