Related issues with not using car

Submitted: Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 19:13
ThreadID: 58065 Views:2460 Replies:5 FollowUps:11
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As I have stopped using the Patrol for commuting to work, The fuel in the tank could be there a while. Should I add a fuel conditioner of sorts to make sure there are no issues with diesel bug ect.....

Should I leave the battery on a trickle charge? gets driven about once a week, if not going on a trip.

Is there anything else I should consider or look out for? While I want to lower wear and tear on the car by getting to work on my motorbike, I don't want issues arising from per longed inactivity.

Cheers Stefan
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Reply By: On Patrol (East Coast) - Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 19:41

Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 19:41
You Idyot,
just leave the thing with me He He He.
AnswerID: 306165

Follow Up By: stefan P (Penrith NSW) - Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 19:47

Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 19:47
ummmmmmm.....NO you can't be trusted!!! look what you did to yours!!!
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FollowupID: 572168

Reply By: Member - Phillip S (WA) - Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 20:18

Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 20:18
Hi Stefan, we are a 3 car family of just two,( my wife and I), and so the troopy only gets used when we are able to get away together, so what I do is go for a 1 hour run once a week, to a roadhouse about half an hour or so up the highway, this does two things, 1 the troopy gets all hot and sweaty, and 2 I get to indulge in a mini trip and treat myself to a flat white and a egg and bacon toasted sandwich.
AnswerID: 306177

Follow Up By: Member - Phillip S (WA) - Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 20:19

Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 20:19
p.s. we both work...me shift work, her 5 day week
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FollowupID: 572172

Follow Up By: stefan P (Penrith NSW) - Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 21:01

Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 21:01
cool, thanks for that Phillip.....

The lady tonight at my local servo said "haven't seen you for a while"...told her she was getting to exspensive to visit!! LOL

Stefan
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FollowupID: 572184

Follow Up By: Member - Duncan W (WA) - Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 21:28

Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 21:28
Stefan my car is my weekend toy. Up to this weekend I had only done 112km in 5weeks. Don't have a diesel so can't comment on the fuel side of things but I do have a trickle charger which I connect up the battery too. Have to leave the bonnet up now as the wife drove it one day and forgot to disconnect the charger. When next I saw the car it had 8 ft of wire and a circuit board dangling under it.
Dunc
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FollowupID: 572199

Follow Up By: Pajman Pete (SA) - Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at 13:32

Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at 13:32
Until recently the Paj was only used for long trips. We used one of those cheap little 5W solar chargers to keep the battery topped up. It sat on the dash so it did not need disconnecting before driving off!

Pete
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Reply By: Stephen M (NSW) - Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 21:24

Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 21:24
Hi Stefan, Mate have a can of (Toyota Diesel Conditioner 500ml) all yours. Dose is 100ml per 100L off diesel. Use to use it in the hilux. If you want to you can call into my work on your way home or I can drop off for you. I finish at 4pm other wise mm me your address again and will drop off on way home if you wont be passing my work b4 4pm. Regards Steve M
AnswerID: 306198

Follow Up By: stefan P (Penrith NSW) - Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 22:15

Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 22:15
I've got your number, will call or text you tomorrow and grab it if thats cool.

Cheers Stefan
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Follow Up By: Stephen M (NSW) - Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 22:42

Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 22:42
No probs mate. Regards Steve M
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FollowupID: 572227

Follow Up By: Wayne (NSW) - Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at 06:03

Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at 06:03
stefan,

That can of Toyota Diesel Condition is only good for Toyota's, It will probably blow the 2.8 up with all the power it will have.

Try and use the vehicle at least once a week and you should not have a problem.

If you had filled the fuel tanks up a few weeks ago you could have increased the value of the Nissan, just with the cost of fuel rising.

Wayne
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FollowupID: 572237

Reply By: Member - Hughesy (NSW) - Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 21:34

Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 21:34
G'Day Stefan,

I've had a company car for a number of years and so my cruiser only gets used for trips away and might not get driven for a month at a time.

I run a conditioner treatment in the tanks about once every 6 months. I ALWAYS leave the tanks full to the brim with diesel and normally just prime the hand pump before I start it for the first time after a while just so it starts easier (quicker).

The biggest problem has been the batteries. I have a dual system with a starter and DC. If I remember I put the batteries on charge every month or so for a couple of days to top them up but I know this is destroying them...slowly.

I looked into getting a trickle charger to keep them topped up but to get an adequate one you are looking at a couple of hundred bucks and I'd rather just put that towards new batteries when required. Plus my cruiser sits outside so pretty good chance it would get knocked off eventually.

Don't be tempted to take it for a 10km drive once a week. This will do it more harm than good. If you take it for a drive take it for a GOOD drive with some highway and hills if possible. Hey why not find some local tracks and make a day of it.
AnswerID: 306200

Follow Up By: StormyKnight - Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 21:42

Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 21:42
You need to look after your batteries primarily.

In addition, you need to make sure that your wheel bearings are perfectly in order...i.e. no water in the system left after any creek crossing etc as with the vehicle just sitting, the rust will develop much quicker if the grease etc is not being circulated.

Basically you will need to have a plan for all the fluids in the car.. & don't forget the life span of radiator fluid & brake/clutch fluids.

Cheers
& I'm beginning to relate to the fuel price issues & running a 4WD as a generla commuter.
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FollowupID: 572203

Follow Up By: stefan P (Penrith NSW) - Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 22:17

Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 22:17
thanks Hughesy,

should get a good day trip at least once a month

Stefan
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FollowupID: 572224

Reply By: mechpete - Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 21:53

Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 21:53
don,t do anything ,it will sit there for a month without any fear ,
my patrol has sat in the carport for up to 3 mths without even starting it , if the battery is good it will be ok
mechpete
AnswerID: 306204

Follow Up By: geocacher (djcache) - Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at 22:17

Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at 22:17
Hopefully Pete's Patrol might get a run on the weekend if he's still coming to visit?

Go with his advice. He know's what he's talking about. His Patrol only gets the dust blown off it on trips.

Dave
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FollowupID: 572394

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