Lots of life changes recently...

I've changed jobs, and my commute is now by mass-transit. My already low usage (~600 miles/month) is now going to be down closer to 100 miles/month. We also got rid of our trailer due to lack of use (kids gone, etc) so even the monthly or so towing trips have stopped.

I know that if you put a vehicle in extended storage, you need to prep it, but should I be doing anything special for ultra-low use? I'm currently running Mobil-1.

Anybody want a 2008 2500 4x4 Hemi with 12K miles?

Actually, I looked into getting a smaller truck (GOTTA have a truck ), but they are actually about the same price as the big boys. No real benefit, and I'm not saving any gas money.... $30/month at 10MPG vs $20/month at 15MPG really doesn't make any difference.

 

all i can think of is make sure it gets driven on the weekends a lil here and there to mix up the fluids and maybe some stabil in the tank....

 

I understand what you are saying. My truck sit from October to March each year. I also use Mobil 1 oil. I do a full service and fill the gas tank before letting her sit. I've done this for three years now and no problems. Good luck...

 

oh and maybe a cover and maybe unhook the battery....

 

I'd reccomend nothing but 93oct. The lower the grade the faster it will degrade.
You could add some Lucas fuel treatment in every tankful to keep the gas fresh and actually is suppose to restore it??? dunno bout all that but its a fuel injector cleaner and has lubricating oils in it. Never had any issue;s and I've gone through a few gal bottle of it so far for use on many vehicles.

I wouldn't unhook the battery though. You'll loose all your preset stations.... I used to keep a trickle charger (2.5A) on my mustang 8 months out of the year. It even has a 3ft section that disconnects from the charging unit so you can make it permanent by bolting the terminals to the battery. Makes hooking and unhooking a breeze. I got mine at AdvanceAuto for $29 I think? 4 years later and still goin strong. I stick it on my mower during the winter.
Starting the truck up for 15 or so minutes does nothing good for it. It needs to be driven and up to operating temps for atleast 15minutes to rid all the moisture and for all the fluids even in the trans to circulate.
If you drive it even just once a month for various uses, you'll be fine., just stick a charger on there is all and run the better gas regardless of additive use.

 

I wish I has these problems. I put almost 30,000 on mine in the last 18 months.

 

Yeah........vehicles need to be driven and get up to temp every week or so.
Best advice I can give ya'.
Al.

 

Start it once a week for approximately 20 minutes, or however long it takes to fully warm up. Other than that, not much else. Long term storage requires more preventative maintenance.

 

Thanks, all. The truck is garaged and will generally get 20-30 miles on the weekends, so I think I'm good.

 

Yea, that's exactly what she needs. Though I would only get half a tank of gas at a time.