Hi all - I'm travelling for 7 weeks over the summer so the 550 will sit for a while. The only manual car that my wife has driven in the last 10 years was a Toyota Hilux pickup (which had a very forgiving clutch!), so she's not comfortable with driving it around to keep the battery topped up and everything lubricated. Other than silica dessicant to prevent mold, any recommendations? Should she come down and start the car and let it idle for 5 or 10 minutes a week, or should I just install a battery isolation switch? Note that because I live in an apartment block, I don't have access to a plug to install a trickle charger. Any advice welcome, thanks!
Well, eight weeks isn't all that long of a of a storage time. Pour some Stabil (or similar) gas preservative in the fuel tank to prevent the ethanol in the gas from separating (pretty much all gas these days is blended with at least some ethanol) then fill it up the tank to prevent moisture from forming inside the tank (usually more of a problem in colder weather). If it is stored inside, leave the windows DOWN to avoid any mold issues in summer humidity. Unless your wife or someone else is going to drive the car while you are gone, DO NOT have them start it and just run it for 5 or 10 min. That is about the worst thing you can do for engine wear and tear. As Taz says, just disconnect the battery via the disconnect switch, or connect a CTEK (or similar) battery tender to it and leave the car sit. It should be fine when you return. The tires may develop minor flat spots but they'll go away shortly after driving it.
disconnect battery over inflate tires slightly leave parking brake off and put in 1st gear when you reconnect switch at startup, start and idle for 10 min, drive slowly and keep below 3000 rpm for 10 min - or follow the exhausting startup procedure!
I leave mine parked over winter for 6 months with no starting. Fill tank, park on plastic, handbrake off and in 1st, battery disconnected. I go to it in the spring, check tires, battery reconnected, start, idle 10 min and drive right off.
