[brit1]

I need to store/park 2003 Ford Escape for 6 months or so. Do I need to raise car up on blocks or just leave it parked on its tires.

Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

Bob

[Dominick]

I'd put it on blocks so you won't flat spot them.

[RickMN]

If you surf the net, you'll see all kinds of posts saying you don't need to store radial tires off the ground. They say that's just for bias ply tires. They're wrong. Radial tires can flat spot as well. Most of the time the flat spot goes away after driving for a while. But if you have performance tires, they can take a permanent flat spot.

Another important storage tip is to lower the pressure in the tires once it's up on jack stands (remember to re-inflate when it goes back into service). If you're storing outside, cover the tires to protect from UV rays.

Also, plug the exhaust pipe with steel wool stuffed in a zip-lock bag. That'll keep the critters out. The zip lock will prevent the steel wool from rusting to the exhaust pipe. Spray the weatherstripping with spray silicone or dry teflon lube. That'll prevent the door from bonding to the weatherstripping and tearing it off when you open the door six months from now. And, put a battery maintainer on the battery--especially if you're talking about storing over the winter. There's no way it'll hold a charge for six months and if it loses the charge the battery can freeze.

[mark v]

Pure BS. My Mustang sat for 1 year on the tires..... no flat spots.

Corvette sat from October to April on the tires.... No Flat spots..... my 1981 Delorean was stored the same way.... no flat spots. My Windstar just sat in one spot from October to April.... No flat spots, got a free 2010 Explorer to drive so the 1998 Explorer sat for 6 months.... no flat spots. So far 5 cars I have owned parked on the ground with the factory PSI in the tires and no flat spots after 6 months, the Mustang was over 1 year!

The Corvette had the top end tires and 6 months no flat spots.

Tires can maintain the same PSI, they do not need to be lowered for any storage.

Any long term storage always disconnect and remove the battery, no need to keep the computer powered for 6 months. Disconnect the battery and put it on a trickle charger.

[Pletchaj]

another tip make sure it rest on its suspension, allows less rust to form on your shocks ... just a small tip but if it forms the seals so faster! and as for the tires Mark V is right, I stored my Aunts BMW for over 5 years, never moved once, when we started it and moved there wasn't a flat spot on it

[RickMN]

I get it that Mark V hasn't had flat spot problems. But his experience isn't universal. The info I quoted comes right from the horse's mouth--the lead tire engineers at both Hankook and Goodyear. Go with Mark's personal experience or follow the engineers--your choice.

[mark v]

I just know lots (LOTS) of people who have exotic cars and none of them ever had flat spots. New car dealers sometimes have cars sit on their lots and never moved for months with no flat spotting, I used to work at a few dealerships so this goes by my experience.

Example....... Also the Gates corporation tells you to change your rubber coolant hoses every 4 years, my 1998 Windstar has 138,000 miles on it with original hoses. You can always listen to the companies that make the products or real people who use the products. Now how many people here have original hoses on old vehicles? Coolant Hoses - Spring/Summer Car Care | Gates Corporation

[Togglewoggle]

Originally Posted by Pletchaj

another tip make sure it rest on its suspension, allows less rust to form on your shocks ... just a small tip but if it forms the seals so faster! and as for the tires Mark V is right, I stored my Aunts BMW for over 5 years, never moved once, when we started it and moved there wasn't a flat spot on it

Can you clarify about resting it on its suspension? I read some say to raise the car up to reduce stress on the suspension and tires. Others say raising the car put the suspension in an unnatural position.
What about changing the car oil after 1 year of storage? Some say to remove condensation build up. I used synthetic oil so I don't see the need for changing the oil, I changed it before storage. Thanks.

[mark v]

Just leave it on the tires or jacked up resting on the suspension so the suspension is under full load just like it was sitting on tires. Put new oil in and when you are ready to fire it back up drain the oil and add new oil. If you are really freaked out buy some fogging oil and fog all cylinders first.

I have seen brand new cars sit for years on their suspension and no issues when driven for the first time.

Ever go to a museum to find out every car is up on blocks..... nope because it is actually worse for the suspension because it is built to be kept at the rested position just like it is when it is parked.

Think of it this way..... There are 1000's of rare muscle, antique and everyday cars that are antiques well over 25 years old that are still on the original suspension and they are all stored on the wheels.