I'm leaving tomorrow for 5-6 months. At this point, there's no time to change the oil or put additives in the gas tank -- I'm just going to try to preserve the battery and tires. A trickle charger isn't possible, since I live in an apartment building that doesn't have outlets in the garage. Do I need to remove the battery? I read a post suggesting you could just disconnect the positive wire from the battery. Would that be as good?

As for the tires, I was going to fill them to 45 lbs. But again, I read a post saying that today's tires don't get flat spots and it isn't necessary. Any opinions?

My garage is heated, so the car won't freeze, and I filled the tank. Don't have a car cover.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!! I have to take care of this tonight.

 

I would have a Fuel Stabilizer at the top of my list, visit a store like West Marine, be sure it is formulated for the 10% Ethenol and drive far enough to get into fuel injectors, a few ounces should protect the tank and fuel delivery system from 'varnish' that would form in several months.

An outboard motor type "fogging oil" could be sprayed into intake to the point of stopping motor, will make great fog of smoke though, alternate might be to remove four spark plugs and coat interior of combustion chambers.

They may also have desicant plugs for spark plug holes and a bag of it slipped inside valve cover at oil fill plug would also help. These absorb moisture and delay corrosion.

Recall that you should disconnect first and connect last, your battery's negative cable.

 

I'd put 45 psi to the tires esp to low profile tires that don't have much air volume. The fuel stabilizer is a good idea and definitely disconnect the battery if trickle charge is not possible. Don't leave the hand break engaged as the spring will lose some tension overtime.

 

Thanks, but there's no way I can do the fuel stabilizer -- I'm leaving tomorrow and it's 11 p.m. now. My question really was whether disconnecting the battery was as good as removing it. I can't understand why someone would go through the trouble of removing it if there weren't a reason. Anyway, there wasn't time, so I just disconnected the positive wire. As for the emergency brake, my garage space is on a steep slope and I would ram into my neighbor's car if I didn't have the brake engaged. I also inflated the tires to 50... hope that's not too much, but it's too late now.

 

Disconnection would be enough for the battery. Too bad about the fuel.

You could 'chock' your tires if roll on a slope might be a problem.

Have a great adventure and enjoy your time away from your MINI, worry about what did not get done should be avoided.

You can deal with 'whatever' when you return.