What to do to a car that won't be driven?

[rallysam]

How do you store a car for a few years?

It's at my mom's house while I'm living in London. They're supposed to drive it regularly to keep it alive, but they probably only get around to driving it once or twice a month. They don't have a garage for it.

Should I mothball it? How?

Would it last better if I pulled the engine and some other key parts and stored them in a garage or shed?

Is this thing really going to be salvageable after this?

[evolutionmovement]

I'll tell you when I try to get mine going. It's almost two years now, but Subarus tend to store better than a lot of cars.

I'd put it on blocks to keep the tires from flat spotting and to help the bearings a little, maybe put a little oil in the cylinders. Disconnect the battery at least,m but I'd recommend using it for something else as it's almost guaranteed not to last 2 years of storage. Changing the brake fluid wouldn't be a bad idea. Fill the gas tank and throw some marine-quality additive and water absorber in it (you want the tank filled vs. empty to prevent corrosion).

Expect the brakes and maybe the clutch to stick and the suspension to need to work in when you go to drive it again. I'd also do an oil change before driving.

[206er]

i stored my car for about a year without running it at all(parents forgot) and the worst thing to happen was a tweaker trying to steal the radio and ruining it and the car getting covered in shit.

this is all kind of antiquated stuff but i think in the old days they would put it on jacks and take the tires off so the tires wouldnt flat spot(bias plys) and pour a can of oil down the intake to prevent rust(could get messy when you want to go to start it again). fill the gas tank up so moisture in the air doesnt rust the tank(more of a motorcycle thing but what the heck) the gas will go bad, but the tank wont rust. if you have a 91 it should have a drain plug on the gas tank. sometimes people pull the battery or at least disconnect it.

I'd say if they can start it up bi monthly to keep the seals and stuff from drying out, then leave it and call it good. keeping a cover on it will help keep the paint nicer, dash uncracked and generally from getting totally filthy. are mice much of a problem there? those little bastards can wreak some havoc on a car. i think some people put fine chicken wire across the access points mice could use like the engine bay, all the crevices etc.

definitely change all the fluids including gas and check everything over really well once youre going to put the car back on the road. maybe do some stuff like run sea foam, straight water in the radiator for a few miles to clean stuff out,

[Splinter]

They sell engine fogging additives. You put it in your oil, run your engine for a few minutes, then park it. It coats the engine in a high viscosity oil or smething to prevent seizing or rust. Not sure totally how it works to be honest

Any car parts store should sell it

A fuel stabilizer is a good idea too