Leaving my bricks for a year under car covers. I've researched the tips in the FAQs. I'm very concerned because there's lots of trees and I'm in a high density rodent area. I see there's a number of commercial repellent products available. In addition, there's a range of ultrasonic devices, even some that are solar powered.

Anyone have success keeping varmints from chewing up or making a home in your precious.

I plan on removing the battery, although I suppose I could rig up 12v w my battery charger if 12v was necessary.

Love to hear some of your success stories.

Thanks in advance for your thoughtful suggestions.

Marty

You know those electric fence systems that farmers use to keep cows in the field.

If there is good sunlight, a small solar cell cud keep the battery charged.
The trick would devising a "grid" under/around the car.

if successful, patent it and market it on the net.

Don't know where you're at but the best way to store a car is to loan it to someone who will drive it at least once a week. A car cover like the Cover King Silver Guard is strong, light weight, and breathable. https://www.coverking.com/vehicle-covers/custom-car-covers/uv-protection-silverguard.html. Get the mirror pockets and a good cable and it won't blow off.

If there are any water leaks fix them even if temporary.
Clean up any food spills or crumbs.
Don't store a lot of stuff in it.
Keep the gas tank full.
Drive the car up to full engine temperature and run the heater and a/c once a week.
Put in fresh coolant and flush the brake system with new fluid.
Perhaps add a fuel stabilizer.
If possible park it in the open and on pavement.
Things like the battery and tires may suffer but they're replaceable.

I strongly suggest renting a garage for this time period. Probably cheaper than repairing the resulting paint and rodent damage, etc.

....and the garage is not necessarily protection against rodents.
--
82 242-6.2L; '17 Mazda3; '16 Crosstrek

Actually, assuming the garage is currently rodent free and has no holes, it is protection against them.

Thanks to everyone who responded. The dryer sheets, the stabil, the full tank of gas, the car clean out of food crumbs, occasional use insofar as possible are all helpful suggestions.

Jury is still out on the car cover.

Thanks again,

Marty

After a while nature takes care of itself. Earlier this year I noticed a medium-sized discarded snakeskin in the 1990 parts 240, and no mice!

Thanks to everyone who responded. The dryer sheets, the stabil, the full tank of gas, the car clean out of food crumbs, occasional use insofar as possible are all helpful suggestions.

Jury is still out on the car cover.

Thanks again,

Marty

Thanks to everyone who responded. The dryer sheets, the stabil, the full tank of gas, the car clean out of food crumbs, occasional use insofar as possible are all helpful suggestions.

Jury is still out on the car cover.

Thanks again,

Marty

Hi Michael,

I agree, but it’s not an invitation either!
I agree that a dark place, to sleep safe, is just as desirable for a mammal like me!
Even a homeless person, is styling, if they have a car among their friends!

Storing anything outdoors, especially a car is more than a barbecue grill. They get covers but spiders are small carnivores too! There’s no getting around it, under is lovable!

Storing on any dirt is all about tires rotting! The microbes down there get hungry for lots of things.
Rocks or grass is asking for moisture issues. This lasting for a year, that fuel is going south in octane value, let alone moisture issues.

The tank has to be kept full.
A car Empty out in the elements is asking for rust on the insides of the tank as the barometric pressure changing is working on airing up and down that tank.

I’m constantly storing two or three of my six cars, in a rotation basis for up to six months.
I keep them indoors out of sun light except for skylights or side windows. I keep the tanks top up until I hear them gurgle letting the last of air out from the very top of the tank.
The rest of the fill pipe allows for expansion. Only the diameter of the pipe is exposed to outside air if the temperature swings some. My temperatures stay pretty constant and a garage sure helps in that arena of aspect.

The additive Sta-Bil is not necessary for me, if I minimize the air left in the tank. The additive only coats the molecules of the gas from oxidizing.
In a short terms, that I use, IMO, it’s a waste of money but some people do it anyways!
Gas is good for at least 3 months in small quantities. A tank, full to the top, lasts longer.
I have Battery Tenders for each car. If it sits for more than a week to ten days maximum, they are on there! It can double their life, but you have to care about them!

In his case, of a year long retirement, It would be a lot better to find a person to use the car or even pay a little out.
It’s like for a dog walker to move the car! The more the walker uses the car, the less he charges him and looking at our mobile society, with Uber drivers, he could get paid some, if contracted correctly.
He may not want scores of miles on it.
All about options!
I like the driving idea.
There are oils inside the rubber of the tires that need moving to the outside by the centrifugal force and flexing of them. It helps prevent a lot of the weather checking everywhere.
A covers on them is a must, if they are exposed to direct sunlight in either case.

"Love to hear some of your success stories."

Me too. Haven't heard any yet.

Neighbor gave up after 35 years and cleared for a 40x50 pole barn on a 6" slab. I know that's not an option for you. :(


--
Art Benstein near Baltimore

He who obtains has little. He who scatters has much. -Lao Tzu

While a cover will keep some debris off the car as well as reducing UV, trapping moisture underneath it can be really hard on the paint - water spots/clouding that won’t come out. So - you eliminate some problems with covers, and create others. If you’re in the West/SW - not so bad. Just so you’re aware. Hungry cat in a garage is all I know for rodents...we’ll see what others say. I know the chipmunks in my yard do not like the smell of mothballs. But all using them does is make them dig another hole....LOL. I’m out there like Bill Murray in Caddyshack. Obviously - block off as many openings as you can - close outside hvac openings, tailpipe, intake air.

https://www.hagerty.com/articles-videos/articles/2009/12/02/tips-to-keep-mice-out-of-stored-cars

--
82 242-6.2L; '17 Mazda3; '16 Crosstrek

If it were my car I would use a polythene tarpaulin under the car. With many bricks or rocks to keep it from being displaced by the wind.

This will cut water vapor percolation from the ground that will consense under the car floor. I would keep air circulation under the car to avoid humidity accumulation.