Well my work is sending me overseas for 2 1/2 months. Anything special I should do to my car? I plan on leaving it covered in my garage.... Any other tips?

 

Give me your address and keys so I can drive it every week to keep it running well.

No seriously this is a good question that you asked.

 

According to the owner's manual, they suggest to talk to your dealer who would be happy to give you direction as to how to properly store your MINI.

 

Buy some 'Sta-Bil'; or some other fuel stabilizer, and use according to directions. Disconnect positive cable from battery. Other than those two, and minor things like DO NOT set the park brake, put something (like folded paper towels) between the wiper blade and the glass (not really necessary, but I still do it), and I'm sure there are other little things I do...can't think of all of them right now...Oh, yeah, close the doors before disconnecting the battery.
I store mine every winter (Nov. through Apr) NEVER had a problem yet.

 

Sta-bil...good tip. I was thining about this list of things:

1. Disconnect Battery (any problems with radio presets or any other computer funtions??)
2. Cover
3. Fuel Stabilizer
4. Oil was just changed
5. Tires - anything special?

I tried to convince them to let me bring it with me to Italy...that would be fun!

 

Cover the exhaust and intake openings. Field mice and other critters love to tunnel in and nest in such places.


Motor on

 

1. Nope, I was surprised the 1st year when I brought the car out, 6 months with no power, and the radio still had all the presets
2. depends on whether it is inside or not, I garage mine all winter with no cover, if you cover, make especially sure it is clean before putting the cover on.
3. definitely
4. shouldn't have any worries
5. check the pressure before you drive off after storage, and if low, fill soon.

one more thing, when you take the car out in 3 months, make sure to let the car sit with the key in position 2 for about 5 seconds, also make sure to reset the windows: with door(s) open, roll window all the way down, and all the way back up, and wait for the normal dip.

 

I had a similar situation last summer. Discussion here:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=26619

All I did was crank up the tire pressure. When I returned after two months, the pressure was pretty much the same and the car started up with no problems

 

I would not disconnect the battery. Try using a battery tender, it keeps the battery charged up but does not overcharge. A very useful device to have around.
Gasoline is good for up to 6 months without needing a fuel stablilizer.
Tires should be fine as most new designs will not flat spot.