How to look after a car while licence is suspended?

[Ben J]

Ok well as a lot of members on here will know, my license has been suspended for 3 months (for accumulation of demerit points from defects...) and am just wondering what the general opinion is on the best way to keep the car healthy during this period of time in which I obviously cannot drive. I know I shouldn't just let it sit for 3 months, but how often should I start it up? How long should it be run for? Does it need to be actually driven or would just getting the engine up to temp in the carpark be enough? I'm sure this info will be useful for many, and I can't find a lot of info out there on the net.

All idea's and opinions accepted. I'm willing to drive it up and down my little street but no more than that, and there really isn't anyone I live with who is willing to drive it

[Njay]

im in the same case.....one month down two to go

In my case my car is my mechanics where he is gonna finish my build, run it in and fix any issues I come across

[Blitzen]

Get your parents to drive it. I left my car with my parents for 6 months while deployed with work.

[Ben J]

My parents live an hour and a half away so getting it there would be a pain, doubt they'd drive it anyway, they're very much opposed to everything I've done to the car and won't help in any sort of way Might see if the roommate will drive it although last time I asked they said no way in fear of defects

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[Transporter]

Clean it, wax it, put it in the garage on stands, so your tyres don't develop the flat spots.
Put the fuel additive in the tank to prevent moisture build up. I use Interject 415 for that or BG product.
Use this as per instructions AMSOIL - AMSOIL Engine Fogging Oil (FOG) I would also seal the exhaust and the intake, to prevent moist air going through the engine. Lubricate everything that needs lubrication on your car; door hinges, sun roof slides etc.
Connect the battery charger to fully charge the battery once a month.

You could rotate the engine once a week to circulate the engine oil through the oil galleries, if you don't get the Amsoil Fogging Oil. I keep it in stock and use it on my lathe, milling machine and other equipments metal surfaces that are exposed to air in the winter times. It protects 100% unlike the engine and other oils, which oil film gets penetrated by the water that is present in the air.

[Ben J]

Awesome advice, thankyou very much

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[SXY28L]

I had the same problem just got my licence back 2 weeks ago,

I just started every two weeks make sure its all running, them maybe get someone to take it for a short drive.

[h100vw]

My parents live an hour and a half away so getting it there would be a pain, doubt they'd drive it anyway, they're very much opposed to everything I've done to the car and won't help in any sort of way Might see if the roommate will drive it although last time I asked they said no way in fear of defects

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I wouldn't be as thorough as Transporter, I am sure you can get a roomie to drive it 10-20ks once a fortnight. That's all I would do. Disconnect the battery while it's sat doing nothing.

Keep an eye on it for rusty discs if it's not undercover.

Gavin

[HaydEn]

There's a trick to maintaining the engine, pull it out and put it in a dumpster and put the VR in.

I heard this too.

[Cookie28]

Certainly seems the best way from what I've heard

[AusScare]

If it starts raining a lot, put one of those crystal sache things in the car (or little buckets) to soak up the moisture.

When my Golf was on stands for a year it got the worst mould all over it, wish I had put something in the car to soak up the crap.

But yea while it's off the road, chuck it on stands and clean the crap out of it, replace little niggling things and get it looking good.

[Ben J]

There's a trick to maintaining the engine, pull it out and put it in a dumpster and put the VR in.

I wish haha. Maybe next time

The exterior is very well protected with a couple coats of duragloss 105 + 601 and RM over the top of that. Its sitting under cover but still pretty much outside. Won't be putting it up on stands for extended periods of time, Body corporate doesnt want it to look like theres car wrecks in the carpark, plus it looks cool just sitting there If it starts raining I'll put something in there to absorb it, thats a great idea. Might do that anyway actually, it gets a bit foggy in there sometimes so I think theres some moisture trapped inside, although hasnt been bad lately.

Think I'll just atleast start it up and let it get up to temperature every week, and when I can convince someone to take it for a drive, hopefully have it driven every couple of weeks. 3 months really isn't that long, so I doubt too many horrible things can happen to it in that time.

[Mk3 AAA]

I don't know much about this, but some say starting up a 'stored' car and letting it warm up at idle then turning off is of the worst things you can do, on a Merc forum someone suggested on blocks, loosen belts, disconnect battery..... other end oil change/ service.

Might be overkill. nfi.

Input from my experience would be, 1. leave battery disconnected between starts, 2. if its sitting on good tyres atm find some junk ones.

[Buller_Scott]

There's a trick to maintaining the engine, pull it out and put it in a dumpster and put the VR in.

i owned a VR, and whilst i adored the car (and still have a soft spot for mk3 VR's....)

set the CL up properly - it won't be any slouch. James (waterboy, on here) is a driver, and he's stuck it to many cars with his bone-stock looking CL 1.8, with THE RIGHT mods. maybe PM him to get the low down.

a 1.8 in a light car is nothing to smirk at - set it up right, and you'll embarrass far more expensive cars with... what? oh yeah.. "big power"...

[Ben J]

i owned a VR, and whilst i adored the car (and still have a soft spot for mk3 VR's....)

set the CL up properly - it won't be any slouch. James (waterboy, on here) is a driver, and he's stuck it to many cars with his bone-stock looking CL 1.8, with THE RIGHT mods. maybe PM him to get the low down.

a 1.8 in a light car is nothing to smirk at - set it up right, and you'll embarrass far more expensive cars with... what? oh yeah.. "big power"...

No doubt I could get the little 1.8 to put out a bit more power than it does now but I do have a vr6 sitting around and the plan all along has been to swap the vr6 in, and so everyone who frequents the mk3 section will know I've been wanting to do it for like a year now, just haven't had the money to finish building the engine.

Have taken the little car out around the track and it was heaps of fun even with its like 59 or whatever kw (when brand new) but really was pretty slow down the straights compared to pretty much everything else out there. I figure I'd be better off spending money to finish my VR6 build instead of trying to make the little 8v 1.8 do something it wasn't really designed to do, go fast


But anyway back on topic, if just starting it up is bad I'll be sure not to do that. There is so much mixed info out there haha, it's all very confusing. Sounds like best thing to do is just try and get someone to drive it every now and then, and even if I can't, I'm willing to drive it down some back streets