‘Is it OK to leave my car in the garage for two months?’
The Car Doc weighs in.
Boston.com Cars is your go-to resource for coverage of local car news, events, and reviews. In the market for a car or truck? Check out our new car specials and used car specials curated by our local dealer network.Q. We need to leave one of our cars for two months in our attached garage during January and February. What should we do to ensure the car is OK when we return in March?A. Leaving a car for two months isn’t too much of a concern. Start by topping off all the vital fluids, checking the coolant, filling the gas tank, and adding gasoline stabilizer (Sta-Bil is one brand). Also inflate the tires to the maximum noted on the sidewall, lubricate doors and locks, and open the windows slightly so the interior can breathe. If you have any issues with mice, remove any food and buy rodent repellant. When you return, there is a possibility the battery will have fully discharged; a Battery Tender or some other automatic float-style battery charger will prevent that from happening. If you want to risk a discharged battery, back into the garage to allow easy access for jump-starting.
John Paul, AAA Northeast’s Car Doctor, answers questions from drivers every week. He has 40+ years of experience in the automotive business and is an ASE certified master technician.
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