PREPARING YOUR VEHICLE FOR
STORAGE
If you plan on storing your vehicle for 30
days or more, the following maintenance
recommendations ensures your vehicle stays
in good operating condition.
Under various conditions, long-term storage
may lead to degraded engine performance
or failure unless you use specific precautions
to preserve your vehicle.
General
•
Store all vehicles in a dry, ventilated
place.
• If vehicles are stored outside, they
require regular maintenance to protect
against rust and weather damage.
• Make sure all linkages, cables, levers and
pins under your vehicle are covered with
grease to prevent rust. •
Move vehicles at least 25 ft (7.5 m) every
15 days to lubricate working parts and
prevent corrosion.
• Fill the fuel tank with high-quality fuel
until the first automatic shutoff of the fuel
pump nozzle.
Engine
• Change the engine oil and filter prior to
storage because used engine oil contains
contaminants which may cause engine
damage.
• Start the engine every 15 days for a
minimum of 15 minutes. Run at fast idle
with the climate controls set to defrost
until the engine reaches normal
operating temperature.
• With your foot on the brake, shift through
all the gears while the engine is running. Body
•
Wash your vehicle thoroughly to remove
dirt, grease, oil, tar or mud from exterior
surfaces, rear-wheel housings and the
underside of front fenders.
• Periodically wash your vehicle if it is
stored in exposed locations.
• Touch-up exposed or primed metal to
prevent rust.
• Cover chrome and stainless steel parts
with a thick coat of auto wax to prevent
discoloration. Re-wax as necessary when
you wash your vehicle.
• Lubricate all hood, door and luggage
compartment hinges and latches with a
light grade oil.
• Cover interior trim to prevent fading.
• Keep all rubber parts free from oil and
solvents.
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2021 Nautilus (CD9) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202011, First-Printing Storing Your Vehicle
