Auto Parts: Outdoor car storage, vw polo, shift gears

Question
QUESTION: Hello, I have a 4-year old VW Polo that is due to be immobilised for three months during my absence.  I've bought a battery trainer which, according to the salesman, will regulate the charging level while I'm away, provided that it's kept permanently connected. However, is there any risk of gas leakage over a period of 12 weeks sparking an explosion?  If so, would it be safer to leave the battery alone until I return and only then to charge it up using the battery trainer - or might the battery be too flat at this stage for that to be possible?

ANSWER: Hello Martin,

As with anything involving GAS and Electricity, it is important to note that mixing gas or gas fumes and electrically charged particles it a bad idea.

Now, lets shift gears for a moment.  Automotive batteries depending on the make of the battery and the size of the battery last between 3 and 7 years USUALLY.  This information is easily obtained by looking at the battery sticker, it will say 3yr, 5yr, or 7yr somewhere on it, denoting the number of years the battery is expected and guaranteed to be good for.

Car batteries, should in most cases be able to go 6 months to a year without the vehicle being started, and either A) start right up, or B) require a quick jump start and then run as normal.

If you immobilize your vehicle, I would simply either A) remove the battery from it all together, and then put it back in when you return, or B) just leave it in there, and it will either start right up or you'll have to jump the car when you return, either way you should have no problem.  So long as there is no parasitic draw on the battery, from something electrical being left on in the car, such as a phone charger or interior light or the like, the battery should be able to sit for extended periods without needing a jump.  There is no need for you to buy a battery trainer, as your battery will be fine when you return, the only problem I could foresee you having is needing to quickly jump-start the car, after that the vehicle should be fine.  If not, and the battery is within the time limit set for the number of years it is guaranteed to be good for (Ie. if its a 5yr battery and you've only had it for 3 years) and it wont start or jump start, return it to where you bought it and they MUST give you a credit and replace the battery at no charge.  

However, if the battery is near its expiration date, then I recommend replacing it before you leave anyway, as it will need to be done regardless, and with a new battery in there you shouldn't have any problems upon returning.

Good Luck

I hope this helps.  let me know if I can be of further assistance to you.

Thank you.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Antonio,

Many thanks for detailed, professional answer.  However, if the battery fails to respond on start-up after a long absence and there is no vehicle on standby for a jump start, could I nevertheless use the battery trainer to recharge the battery sufficiently to restart the engine?

ANSWER: Hello Martin,

I apologize for the delay in response, it has been a very busy week here.

To answer your question, yes the unit would be able to provide sufficient power to start your vehicle.  Although as I said with a new battery, that should not be required.

Good Luck,

Thank you.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello again Antonio,

Not sure whether this question falls within your area of competence, but suspect that it might: we are thinking of buying a secondhand automobile and leaving it immobilised for nine or ten months in a row each year outside our Florida condo.  The condo is tree-lined and has a lake.  The squirrel population is large, but we don't know whether squirrels are the sole resident rodents.
Would it be best to cover the vehicle with a tarpaulin for the 3/4 of the year it is out of use, or might some creatures be capable of nesting under such a cover?

What are the chances of brake or other cables being damaged by rodents?

Would theft and damage insurance cost appreciably more than usual in such circumstances?

Finally, apart from battery wear (a point you have more than fully covered in previous answers), what other mechanical wear and tear do you think an automobile could suffer while stored in this fashion on Florida's Gulf Coast?

Answer
Hello Martin,

As with any vehicle, if it is going to be left sitting for multiple months out of the year, you run the chance of resident vermin making a home out of your vehicle, specifically the tailpipe and engine compartment.

If animals nest in your tailpipe or engine compartment you will run into many issues.  First if it is your tailpipe they take a liking to, then you will probably end up with a lot of "bedding material" (shredded paper, or other nesting materials) inside the tailpipe, or even worse further up in the exhaust system.  If this happens it can clog your exhaust or create a blockage, and will cause problems for the vehicle, specifically the vehicle will not run properly because the exhaust will back up and not have an outlet, to prevent this I recommend visiting your local home depot or plumbing supply store.

First measure the diameter of your tailpipe(s), then go to home depot or your local plumbing supply store and tell them you need a GEM CAP that will fit over a pipe of that diameter, for example if your tailpipe is 1 1/2 inches in diameter, you will need a 1 1/2 inch gem cap.  A Gem Cap is a rubber cap that is used in plumbing to cover open or exposed pipes to prevent debris from falling down the pipe during construction.  This Gem cap will have a silver band around it, which is used to secure the gem cap to the pipe.  Install the cap over your Tailpipe(s) and then using a HEX socket (easily purchased at your local hardware store) turn the nut on the silver band of the gem cap to tighten it securely around the pipe.  ONCE THIS IS DONE, USE A DRILL WITH A 1/8 INCH DRILL BIT AND DRILL A HOLE IN THE CENTER OF THE GEM CAP TO ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO VENT ANY EXCESS EXHAUST THAT MAY BE IN THE SYSTEM WHILE YOU ARE AWAY.

Now, onto the next part of your question.  A Tarp will protect your vehicle exterior, however there is always the chance of the tarp providing a home to animals.  To help prevent this (it is not completely preventable) look for tarps that have elastic bands around the bottom to help the tarp "cling" to the car.  ONE THING TO REMEMBER HERE, SINCE YOU ARE LEAVING YOUR VEHICLE IMMOBILIZED OUTSIDE YOUR HOME FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, IT WOULD BE PRUDENT TO NOTIFY YOUR LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENT ABOUT THIS, SINCE MOST PLACES HAVE LAWS ABOUT HAVING A VEHICLE PARKED ON A STREET FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME, ESPECIALLY IF THE VEHICLES LICENSE PLATES WILL NOT BE VISIBLE (BECAUSE OF A TARP).

Animals will wreak havoc on the engine compartment and undercarriage of any vehicle they can get into.  Especially the brake lines, fuel lines and hoses.  To prevent this, visit your local pet store or any exterminator shop.  They should be able to supply you with a spray that you can coat the hoses and lines in your undercarriage and engine compartment with that will make the animals not chew on them.  The spray has chemicals in it that animals do not like the taste of, it is used a lot on power lines and telephone lines.  Just be sure that you buy one that is not corrosive and will not eat through the hoses, as you do not want the spray to damage them.

Finally, as far as insurance goes, that part of your question is out of my field of expertise, that is something you would need to either discuss with your insurance agent or try the auto insurance forums here on all experts.

I hope this was helpful.

Thank you.  Good Luck.