RX300 Storage In Arizona..Help!!
#1
Pole Position
Thread Starter
RX300 Storage In Arizona..Help!!
Hello Everyone,
I have a 2001 RX 300 with 77K miles...we love the car....We are getting a 350 soon
We are planning on taking the car to our second home in Arizona.
We would use the car for 2 week intervals about 5 or 6 times per year...these trips are usually evenly spaced out throughout the year..
My question is this.....Should I expect any unsual wear or deterioration on the car because of its limited use???
Obviously battery and tires could be an issue....
Any specific suggestions would be helpful.....
Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have a 2001 RX 300 with 77K miles...we love the car....We are getting a 350 soon
We are planning on taking the car to our second home in Arizona.
We would use the car for 2 week intervals about 5 or 6 times per year...these trips are usually evenly spaced out throughout the year..
My question is this.....Should I expect any unsual wear or deterioration on the car because of its limited use???
Obviously battery and tires could be an issue....
Any specific suggestions would be helpful.....
Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
#2
Is the car stored inside or outside? If outside, a solar-cell battery trickle-charger would solve the battery charging problem. Otherwise, since freezing isn't a consideration, charging the battery right before use would probably work too. I'd change the engine oil based on time, rather than mileage. The same with brake fluid.
#3
Pole Position
Thread Starter
It will be stored in a garage...I plan to just disconnect the battery for the 2 month intervals...
Any concerns about the engine seals and the summer heat?????
Any concerns about the engine seals and the summer heat?????
#4
Moderator
Battery: Put a trickle charger and put it on timer ..every third day for 3hrs (there are some safety issue with charging ... no open flame near bye).
Open the windows a crack to let the inside breathe. Make sure the Garage breathes too (usually they are never air tight) ... this will keep the temp from going above 110 inside. Treating the leather with conditioner will keep it from drying out.
Oil ... I would suggest change it right before storage. (old/used oil can be corrosive).
Door seals etc, can be powdered with talc.
Leave a light coat of wax (dont buff it off). This is an optional step .. may be more troublesome if you plan to occasionally use it.
The tires along with bearings would love it, if you can leave the car lifted off the wheels.
When you start your vehicle after months of storage, try half cranks (short burst and stop before the engine catches). This will get things primed up and redistribute the settled oils. And when you drive off, just be easy for couple of miles. When you do drive, go for a long drive (30miles +).
Not using an older vehicle hastens the end of life.
Salim
Open the windows a crack to let the inside breathe. Make sure the Garage breathes too (usually they are never air tight) ... this will keep the temp from going above 110 inside. Treating the leather with conditioner will keep it from drying out.
Oil ... I would suggest change it right before storage. (old/used oil can be corrosive).
Door seals etc, can be powdered with talc.
Leave a light coat of wax (dont buff it off). This is an optional step .. may be more troublesome if you plan to occasionally use it.
The tires along with bearings would love it, if you can leave the car lifted off the wheels.
When you start your vehicle after months of storage, try half cranks (short burst and stop before the engine catches). This will get things primed up and redistribute the settled oils. And when you drive off, just be easy for couple of miles. When you do drive, go for a long drive (30miles +).
Not using an older vehicle hastens the end of life.
Salim
#5
Lexus Champion
Battery: Put a trickle charger and put it on timer ..every third day for 3hrs (there are some safety issue with charging ... no open flame near bye).
Open the windows a crack to let the inside breathe. Make sure the Garage breathes too (usually they are never air tight) ... this will keep the temp from going above 110 inside. Treating the leather with conditioner will keep it from drying out.
Oil ... I would suggest change it right before storage. (old/used oil can be corrosive).
Door seals etc, can be powdered with talc.
Leave a light coat of wax (dont buff it off). This is an optional step .. may be more troublesome if you plan to occasionally use it.
The tires along with bearings would love it, if you can leave the car lifted off the wheels.
When you start your vehicle after months of storage, try half cranks (short burst and stop before the engine catches). This will get things primed up and redistribute the settled oils. And when you drive off, just be easy for couple of miles. When you do drive, go for a long drive (30miles +).
Not using an older vehicle hastens the end of life.
Salim
Open the windows a crack to let the inside breathe. Make sure the Garage breathes too (usually they are never air tight) ... this will keep the temp from going above 110 inside. Treating the leather with conditioner will keep it from drying out.
Oil ... I would suggest change it right before storage. (old/used oil can be corrosive).
Door seals etc, can be powdered with talc.
Leave a light coat of wax (dont buff it off). This is an optional step .. may be more troublesome if you plan to occasionally use it.
The tires along with bearings would love it, if you can leave the car lifted off the wheels.
When you start your vehicle after months of storage, try half cranks (short burst and stop before the engine catches). This will get things primed up and redistribute the settled oils. And when you drive off, just be easy for couple of miles. When you do drive, go for a long drive (30miles +).
Not using an older vehicle hastens the end of life.
Salim
#6
I thought our cigarette lighters are not connected to the battery when the ignition switch is in the OFF position. I too like Salimshah's suggestions.
#7
Pole Position
Thread Starter
Thanks for all the suggestions.....
I just get the feeling that maybe "its not such a good idea" to have the car sit idle for three months at a time and then be driven for 2 weeks....
I am not a big fan of rental cars and would like to have my own car when I visit Arizona....
When I first bought this car....5 years ago....it was in Arizona for 12 months again sitting idle every 3 months....At the end of that year I had to replace the rear main seal......coincidence???
My wife drives the RX 300 and loves it but we started looking at a newer model.......
I just get the feeling that maybe "its not such a good idea" to have the car sit idle for three months at a time and then be driven for 2 weeks....
I am not a big fan of rental cars and would like to have my own car when I visit Arizona....
When I first bought this car....5 years ago....it was in Arizona for 12 months again sitting idle every 3 months....At the end of that year I had to replace the rear main seal......coincidence???
My wife drives the RX 300 and loves it but we started looking at a newer model.......
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#8
Moderator
^^ may not be.
Repeated use, does cause wear, but keeps the the seals pliable.
Also at times crud forms to seal a small leak and when shaft moves after a long time, it breaks the crud, causing a leak. [seldom used faucets have this problem].
I forgot to mention AC. Winter or summer, you must run it every month [for you it would be when ever you visit]
Related, but different perspective ... what is the long term intent. You want to keep the RX or eventually sell it in x years. Figure out the current depreciated value and also the future (when you intend to sell) depreciated value. Consider you buying habits and then you can make a call to sell or keep.
I agree with you on rent as apposed to ownership, but for occasional use, rental is not bad. I for one always rent on vacation [even the ones I drive from home] as the consequence of break down are not acceptable.
Salim
Repeated use, does cause wear, but keeps the the seals pliable.
Also at times crud forms to seal a small leak and when shaft moves after a long time, it breaks the crud, causing a leak. [seldom used faucets have this problem].
I forgot to mention AC. Winter or summer, you must run it every month [for you it would be when ever you visit]
Related, but different perspective ... what is the long term intent. You want to keep the RX or eventually sell it in x years. Figure out the current depreciated value and also the future (when you intend to sell) depreciated value. Consider you buying habits and then you can make a call to sell or keep.
I agree with you on rent as apposed to ownership, but for occasional use, rental is not bad. I for one always rent on vacation [even the ones I drive from home] as the consequence of break down are not acceptable.
Salim
#9
Pole Position
Thread Starter
Thanks Salim.....
I agree with you on most of the points....We really like the 300 and plan to keep it forever....It has 77K and I think with proper maintenance that I should reach 200K...
I may have to rethink the rental car route....
I probably does not make sense to keep the car in AZ an only drive it 6 weeks of the year....It definitely would not be good for the car..
Maybe that IS why my rear main sealed failed???
Thanks again...
It maybe rental cars for me next year...
I agree with you on most of the points....We really like the 300 and plan to keep it forever....It has 77K and I think with proper maintenance that I should reach 200K...
I may have to rethink the rental car route....
I probably does not make sense to keep the car in AZ an only drive it 6 weeks of the year....It definitely would not be good for the car..
Maybe that IS why my rear main sealed failed???
Thanks again...
It maybe rental cars for me next year...
#10
Lexus Champion
Cigarette lighter outlets are virtually always hot. I would be surprised if it were ignition operated. My feeling about using a solar charger is that there is virtually NO chance of overcharging or of setting anything on fire. I have read just recently on 1 of the forum sites of a fire started by a trickle charger that developed a short and started a fire.
#11
Lexus Champion
^^ may not be.
Repeated use, does cause wear, but keeps the the seals pliable.
Also at times crud forms to seal a small leak and when shaft moves after a long time, it breaks the crud, causing a leak. [seldom used faucets have this problem].
I forgot to mention AC. Winter or summer, you must run it every month [for you it would be when ever you visit]
Related, but different perspective ... what is the long term intent. You want to keep the RX or eventually sell it in x years. Figure out the current depreciated value and also the future (when you intend to sell) depreciated value. Consider you buying habits and then you can make a call to sell or keep.
I agree with you on rent as apposed to ownership, but for occasional use, rental is not bad. I for one always rent on vacation [even the ones I drive from home] as the consequence of break down are not acceptable.
Salim
Repeated use, does cause wear, but keeps the the seals pliable.
Also at times crud forms to seal a small leak and when shaft moves after a long time, it breaks the crud, causing a leak. [seldom used faucets have this problem].
I forgot to mention AC. Winter or summer, you must run it every month [for you it would be when ever you visit]
Related, but different perspective ... what is the long term intent. You want to keep the RX or eventually sell it in x years. Figure out the current depreciated value and also the future (when you intend to sell) depreciated value. Consider you buying habits and then you can make a call to sell or keep.
I agree with you on rent as apposed to ownership, but for occasional use, rental is not bad. I for one always rent on vacation [even the ones I drive from home] as the consequence of break down are not acceptable.
Salim
Also, for those that don't know, whenever you run your defrost in the winter, the compressor is getting exercised. The defrost has been hooked to operate the compressor for probably 25 yrs. or more.
Last edited by code58; 11-02-08 at 03:30 PM.
#12
Moderator
Cigarette lighter outlets are virtually always hot. I would be surprised if it were ignition operated. My feeling about using a solar charger is that there is virtually NO chance of overcharging or of setting anything on fire. I have read just recently on 1 of the forum sites of a fire started by a trickle charger that developed a short and started a fire.
Salim
#14
Lexus Champion
I just checked the 2 outlets in my wife's Camry and both ignition switched and in my truck all 3 outlets hot at all times. I had installed a triple outlet in my wife's Camry for a long trip and also an adjustable battery saver that can be dip switched to shut off after ign. is off anywhere from 1 hour up to 8 hrs.
#15
Lexus Champion