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Taking your car off the road
The following notes have been compiled by the RAC National Technical Centre to assist members who wish to lay-up a car for a lengthy period.
Cleaning
The car should be thoroughly washed, dried and polished, all the usual chassis parts lubricated and all plated or bright parts coated with petroleum jelly (e.g. Vaseline). Ordinary grease is not recommended.
Tyres (including spare)
Inflate to manufacturer's recommended pressure and check periodically. Protect from strong sunlight by covering with sacking or similar material. If storing for over 12 months, take weight off tyres by blocking vehicle up on axle stands or wooden blocks.
Petrol fuel system
For long storage the tank should be drained, as should the fuel system.
Engine, gearbox and final drive lubrication
If gearbox or final drive oils have not recently been changed, it will be beneficial, if possible, to empty the units while hot and refill with fresh oil, then rotate drive wheels to distribute the oil evenly. The engine oil and filter should also be changed. The engine should not be run during the lay-up period.
Cooling system
There is no need to drain the system providing a reputable glycol based anti-freeze at the correct strength has been added. Reference to the owner's handbook or anti-freeze manufacturer's chart will indicate the correct amount and specification.
Battery
If the car is expected to be out of commission for less than six months, the battery should be disconnected. For longer periods it should be removed from the car and brought up to full charge. It should receive further freshening charges, preferably once every month, but at the very least once every two months of approximately 24 hours trickle charge. If you have a battery hydrometer, the reading should be between 1.28 and 1.30. The battery electrolyte level should be maintained by the addition of distilled water, preferably just before each charge. The battery should be kept clean and dry. Continuous trickle charging is not recommended.
Radio equipment
A record must be made of the radio code (if applicable) for re-coding purposes.
Upholstery and carpets
These should be cleaned. If the car has a hood, this should be erected and brushed to remove any dust or dirt. If plastic material, it should be washed as recommended in the owner's handbook.
Brakes
The handbrake should be released after making sure that the wheels are securely chocked. After lengthy storage the braking system should be checked before using the car on the road.
General storage
The car doors and windows should be closed and the vehicle covered with a sheet, left loose at the sides to permit an airflow around the body.
A plastic sheet should not be left on a vehicle for long periods, use old bed sheets or a special dust cover.
The storage space should be dry and dark. Sudden changes of temperature and close proximity to any heating appliances should be avoided.
If the screen wash container is made from glass, it should be emptied.
The keys of the ignition and doors should be labelled and kept in a safe place where they can be quickly found by the owner.
The car should be insured against fire and theft.
SORN
(Statutory Off Road Notification)
Owners must make a formal declaration that the vehicle is to be kept off the road and stating the address at which the vehicle is to be kept.
SORN declarations should be made on the V11 reminder, issued by the DVLA.
The SORN declaration lasts 12 months and must either be renewed or the change of status declared on the V11 form.
If the vehicle is already off road and is 25 years old or more and has a current V5 document there is no need to notify SORN.
If the vehicle is off road for a long time, you should obtain a V5 document from the DVLA or obtain a V62 form from the Post Office. If this is not obtained the DVLA may assume that your vehicle has been scrapped and allocate your registration mark to another vehicle.
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