I deployed for 6 months and I'm just asking for suggestions on what to do exactly when I get home? I have a yellow top battery so could I even expect it to start? I know I should probably trickle charge it but should I even try to start the car or should I just change the oil immediately?

BTW I live in FL so the winter is fairly mild and it sat in my garage...the coldest it has gotten there was around 34 deg outside at night.

If you have anything else to add, I would appreciate it

 

Defiantly trickle charge it, Over inflate the tires so you don't get flat spots. Get a Full tank of gas. 6 months isnt a but load of time.

Problem with the oil is that moisture might build up in there, so you could just change it immediately.

 

6 months is nothing.

Fill gas tank and add fuel stabilizer. Inflate tires to max pressure. Change oil before final parking. Stuff a sock full of steel wool in each tailpipe. Should be good enough.

 

Forgot to add use a trickle charger either on the car where it is parked or take battery out

 

if you pull the battery the TPMS will go dead and you will have to initialize... Just trickle charge the battery

 

But if he's storing it in a place that doesn't have power, he may have too. Not aware of any trickle chargers rated for outdoor use in the elements.

Hopefully, it's in a garage right next to a plug

 

My car has already been stored and I will be getting back very soon after a six month tour.

I did not remove my battery before I left nor did I put any fuel stabilizer in the tank...but it has sat in my garage the entire time.

What should I do upon returning home to get my car ready?

 

Can of seaform. Change oil. Change gas.

 

Your battery is probably junk. Be prepared to buy a new one.

 

Why in the world would you want to seafoam?

 

Should I run the gas out or should it be syphened (sp) out? Also, should I try to start the car before the oil change or after?

I have a yellow top Optima batt and thought those were deep cell and would hold the charge for nearly 6 months so that's why I didn't remove it. Should I try to charge it and see if it will hold the charge before going straight out to get a new one?

BTW, thanks for the help guys...

 

^
Just a full tank of gas, and you use it when you get back.

And I just read, so correction to my OP, you want to have fresh oil in your car when you store it.

 

6 month old gas should fire up fine. Ive stored cars for longer that have fired up fine. Just get some fresh gas in there asap.


And yes, fresh oil when you park it, fresh oil when you start driving again. Old oil will actually stain the engine internally. I've seen this firsthand as the internal parts look coated in a brown/orange residue that is hard to clean off.

 

Not good! I left the old oil which had approx 2k miles on it in the car...I'm sure it is dirty and gummed up a little.

What can I do besides draining it and adding new? Would it be best to drain/fill with new oil and run it thru for a couple hours then drain/fill again?

 

HAVE SOME start it up on weekly basis