# How to Maintain a car left inactive for 1 year

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-maintain-a-car-left-inactive-for-1-year/33296>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** infiniti, fx35\
**Created:** [July 12, 2009, 10:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-maintain-a-car-left-inactive-for-1-year/33296 "2009-07-12T22:51:53Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![TXLonelyCar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b487fb/32.png) [@TXLonelyCar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TXLonelyCar)\
**Post date:** [July 12, 2009, 10:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-maintain-a-car-left-inactive-for-1-year/33296/1 "2009-07-12T22:51:53Z")

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Going away for 1 year. Can you provide a suggested time-table to assist a friend in maintaining it in my absence? 2008 FX35, located in South Texas.

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**Author:** ![Xebadaih](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/d07c76/32.png) [@Xebadaih](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Xebadaih)\
**Post date:** [July 12, 2009, 11:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-maintain-a-car-left-inactive-for-1-year/33296/2 "2009-07-12T23:21:02Z")

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Just have him drive it one day a week and change the oil every 3-4 months, that will do it. He should drive it enough to empty and refill the tank with fresh fuel every 30-45 days. So 300-400 miles every 45 days. No special maintenance beyond that should be required. If it can be garage kept or at least covered that would be even better.

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**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\
**Post date:** [July 12, 2009, 11:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-maintain-a-car-left-inactive-for-1-year/33296/3 "2009-07-12T23:28:12Z")

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Your fried is going to have an easy job.

- Get some fuel stabilizer and follow the instructions.

- Park it in a safe place. Ideally in a garage, second best a carport. I don’t recommend a car cover as they can cause as much damage as the not having one.

- Remove the battery and store it someplace else. It might be a good idea to hook it up to a battery tender or have someone charge it once a month. (removing the battery not only protects the battery, but it will make the car a lot harder to steal, few thieves carry spare batteries in assorted sizes.)

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**Author:** ![TXLonelyCar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b487fb/32.png) [@TXLonelyCar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TXLonelyCar)\
**Post date:** [July 12, 2009, 11:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-maintain-a-car-left-inactive-for-1-year/33296/4 "2009-07-12T23:45:37Z")

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Thank you, Joseph,

1. If I tell you my car will be stored in my carport inside a guarded complex with virtually 0% chance of theft, would you still recommend removal of the battery?
2. I really appreciated your opinion on the car cover.
3. The idea of selling it had not occurred to me; by time I return from my trip it will be paid for (Feb 2011). I wouldn’t think I could get what it’s worth these days. The thought of starting-over with a new car overwhelms me. But your point is well made! I’ll think it over.-Nancy