# Six-month hiatus for My car, what do I need to do? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [January 7, 2015, 12:45am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/six-month-hiatus-for-my-car-what-do-i-need-to-do/88586 "2015-01-07T00:45:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![NothingbutaGthang](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/74df32/32.png) [@NothingbutaGthang](https://community.cartalk.com/u/NothingbutaGthang)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2015, 12:45am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/six-month-hiatus-for-my-car-what-do-i-need-to-do/88586/1 "2015-01-07T00:45:55Z")
Hey everyone I drive a 2005 Infiniti G35. I am leaving for Spain for six months this weekend. What things should I do to make sure my car will be driveble when I get back? I’m worried that since my car is older and it won’t run for six months that it will die a slow death. Please help with some advice!! Thanks ---
**Author:** ![Honda-Blackbird](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/honda-blackbird/32/3159_2.png) [@Honda-Blackbird](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Honda-Blackbird)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2015, 1:04am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/six-month-hiatus-for-my-car-what-do-i-need-to-do/88586/2 "2015-01-07T01:04:09Z")
Honestly…The only things I would do would be to fill up the gas tank to at least to halfway…Add STA-BIL to the fuel and run the vehicle to get the STA-BIL into the injectors. The other thing I would do would be to raise the vehicle off the ground with jack stands…to protect the tires. In light of ALL of these things…You could have someone drive it once or twice a month and then not worry about ANY of the above stuff. Not sure what your situation is however. Blackbird. ---
**Author:** ![NothingbutaGthang](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/74df32/32.png) [@NothingbutaGthang](https://community.cartalk.com/u/NothingbutaGthang)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2015, 1:20am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/six-month-hiatus-for-my-car-what-do-i-need-to-do/88586/3 "2015-01-07T01:20:18Z")
So if someone drives it twice a month none of these problems will arise? ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2015, 4:17am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/six-month-hiatus-for-my-car-what-do-i-need-to-do/88586/4 "2015-01-07T04:17:11Z")
Yep. Just have someone drive it a few times a month to keep the battery charged and there shouldn’t be a problem. Tester ---
**Author:** ![DrRocket](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/drrocket/32/2603_2.png) [@DrRocket](https://community.cartalk.com/u/DrRocket)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2015, 4:19am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/six-month-hiatus-for-my-car-what-do-i-need-to-do/88586/5 "2015-01-07T04:19:08Z")
I would second the idea of adding Stabyl to a FULL tank of gas, (read the instructions and make sure you have a proper ratio.) and running it (To full operating tempurature before you park it.) so that it reaches the fuel injectors. Make sure the battery is fully charged, disconnect the negative terminal. Get a “battery tender” from the parts store and hook it to the battery to maintain the charge. It probably wouldn’t hurt to have fresh oil in the crankcase, and I don’t think you need to worry about the tires. I wouldn’t bother with the jack stands. Just make sure they’re fully inflated. Maybe even a couple pounds over. Modern radial tires are much more forgiving of sitting for long period than the older bias ply were. When you return, open the hood to make sure nothing “moved in” while you were gone, and reconnect the battery terminal. Cycle the key a few times without starting it to let the fuel pump recharge the injection system, then start it and take it for a drive, once again get to full operating tempurature. You should be good to go. I honestly don’t think you’ll need to have anyone fuss with it while your gone. Have a great trip and let us know how it went when you get back! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![shanonia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de053/32.png) [@shanonia](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shanonia)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2015, 4:57am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/six-month-hiatus-for-my-car-what-do-i-need-to-do/88586/6 "2015-01-07T04:57:24Z")
Before you disconnect the battery, be sure you know the radio’s reset code so its anti-theft feature can’t prevent you from using it again. I’d suggest suspending your collision and liability insurance for those 6 months. With the money saved maybe buy a battery tender and a can of Stabil. Don’t let anyone drive it until it’s back in effect. I did this a couple winters years ago. The insurance company gave me a red tag to hang on the steering wheel - warning of no ins. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2015, 6:52am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/six-month-hiatus-for-my-car-what-do-i-need-to-do/88586/7 "2015-01-07T06:52:58Z")
Six months is not long but a battery just sitting there for that long will probably lose its charge. I’d leave it connected so you don’t loose your presets and computer settings but put a battery maintainer on it if you have access to a plug in. Other than that fill the tank, use the Stabil and I’d leave the insurance alone just in case who knows. ---
**Author:** ![andrewRA](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e5b9ba/32.png) [@andrewRA](https://community.cartalk.com/u/andrewRA)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2015, 9:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/six-month-hiatus-for-my-car-what-do-i-need-to-do/88586/8 "2015-01-07T21:58:43Z")
Don’t risk anyone driving it. Things happen people borrow, trust me not worth it. I would just disconnect the battery terminal and be done with it. Enjoy your trip! ---
**Author:** ![dagosa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/dagosa/32/9837_2.png) [@dagosa](https://community.cartalk.com/u/dagosa)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2015, 10:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/six-month-hiatus-for-my-car-what-do-i-need-to-do/88586/9 "2015-01-07T22:27:52Z")
Good advice all. The basics for only six months though. Run fresh gas and Marine grade Stabil for ethanol, disconnect the battery negative if not deep freeze, store inside if a really cold climate, park inside if at all possible. If you charge a good battery before you leave and top it off before starting, there should be no problem. Cover if left outside or spread Decon in a lockable enclosed area under car to keep (@#%$) rodents from doing the most damage. Using it periodically is good…but do you know someone you can trust to do that ? Agree with @andrewRA generally though. ---
**Author:** ![NothingbutaGthang](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/74df32/32.png) [@NothingbutaGthang](https://community.cartalk.com/u/NothingbutaGthang)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2015, 5:36am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/six-month-hiatus-for-my-car-what-do-i-need-to-do/88586/10 "2015-01-08T05:36:32Z")
Thank you everyone for your feedback!! Been incredibe! ---
**Author:** ![NothingbutaGthang](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/74df32/32.png) [@NothingbutaGthang](https://community.cartalk.com/u/NothingbutaGthang)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2015, 5:38am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/six-month-hiatus-for-my-car-what-do-i-need-to-do/88586/11 "2015-01-08T05:38:03Z")
My dad can drive it every now and then should I still use the Stabil if he drives it twice a month? ---
**Author:** ![DrRocket](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/drrocket/32/2603_2.png) [@DrRocket](https://community.cartalk.com/u/DrRocket)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2015, 6:01am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/six-month-hiatus-for-my-car-what-do-i-need-to-do/88586/12 "2015-01-08T06:01:45Z")
yes, I would. Remind him to top the tank off when he does, even if it’s only a gallon or two. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2015, 7:15am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/six-month-hiatus-for-my-car-what-do-i-need-to-do/88586/13 "2015-01-08T07:15:25Z")
If at all possible avoid disconnecting the battery. On some vehicles when the battery is disconnected it can cause all sorts of problems. One of them being some computers/modules may need to be reprogrammed with a dealer type scan tool to get them to function again. You can read about here. [http://www.aa1car.com/library/battery\_disconnect\_problems.htm](http://www.aa1car.com/library/battery_disconnect_problems.htm) It’s better to leave the battery connected and have someone drive the vehicle a few times a month than to have to take it to the dealer and possibly pay for reprogramming of computers/modules. Tester ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2015, 7:49am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/six-month-hiatus-for-my-car-what-do-i-need-to-do/88586/14 "2015-01-08T07:49:25Z")
I know what I would do if I was going to be out of the country for 6 months. I would sell it to CarMax or something like that, cancel the insurance and not have worry about theft, vandals and having someone stress their selves worrying about the vehicle. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2015, 8:28am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/six-month-hiatus-for-my-car-what-do-i-need-to-do/88586/15 "2015-01-08T08:28:39Z")
Yeah use Stabil still and listen to Tester on the battery. As far as selling, I stored my 59 Pontiac for 6 months while in the Army and it is quite fun to come home, crank the ole car up and head out on the open road free as a bird. Suit yourself though, but that’s the first thing I wanted to do. ---
**Author:** ![Docnick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Docnick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Docnick)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2015, 8:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/six-month-hiatus-for-my-car-what-do-i-need-to-do/88586/16 "2015-01-08T20:52:06Z")
@NothingbutaGthang If your dad drives it far enough every week or so to thoroughly heat up the engine, that would be OK. If he only drives it to the 7-11 for a paper that’s worse than nothing!!! That’s how engines sludge up. We were overseas for 5 years and my son took our 2 cars out alternately for a week at the time. H made sure they got some good highway driving in.