Auto Resting in Humid Area

[G-Man]

I'm driving down tomorrow to Delray Beach, Fl to spend Thanksgiving with my Dad.  He won't fly and I don't want him driving 1250 miles by himself. 

Since I have to be back down there again at the end of February, I was thinking of leaving the car down there as I don't drive it in the winter anyway and it would stay nice and toasty in the Florida sun instead of hidden away in my backyard in the miserable cold.  The car would be parked right in front of his condo, under a quality breathable cover.  The only thing that concerns me is that some days it could be quite humid.  He's about a 4 miles inland from the east coast so bugs are an issue as well.

How do you protect a car that won't be moved for 3 months from humidity and bugs?

[cookiedough]

not sure I like the idea of a car under a cover for 3 long months even if breathable.  bugs should not be an issue since just sitting there and the rain/sun if just sitting there not covered no biggie but I would just put a good coat of wax on the vehicle is all should be fine.  I leave my vehicles parked out in the elements all year long no issues in WI see no difference in Florida, just more humid/hotter is all.

Plus, under cover in high winds or more humid temps,  more susceptible to ruin/scuff your paint under cover vs. out in the open not under cover. 

[¿spoom]

Batteries self-discharge faster in warmer weather, so it's going to need a tender no and then. Don't know that a salt atmosphere in FL is any better than not driven at your place. Maybe a horse apiece? 

[Jess from VA]

I'd leave it covered. (though that advertises it is sitting unattended for a long time) (I've kept cars under covers in my VA driveway for years and years, and no wind whipping paint rubs of any kind;  my paint always appreciated it)

I'd get an opinion from the locals who know.  (maybe one of our FL members can help you out for storage)

I'd try to find some structure I could leave it in, or under (if it didn't cost a fortune).  

I'd notify my insurance company about a months' long stay out of state.  Don't give them a reason to deny a claim based on the small print (if any).

I might jack my air pressure 5lbs over all the way round to avoid/reduce the flat spots (maybe).

Drive safely Gary, they are predicting terrible traffic this holiday weekend. (but who can trust the news anymore?)

PS: No condo I ever heard of has outdoor plugs or allows extension cords (for a battery tender).

[Pete]

I currently have 3 under covers exposed to rain/wind/sun, some for as long as 5 years.
No problems so far.
I have used breathable and water proof with success.
The sun is very tuff on them and will cause some covers to come apart.
The longest lasting cover came apart after a year, so replace them as needed. The shortest was 60 days.

[RP#62]

Another thing to consider.  Don't know if its an issue in Delray, but my brother's in Pensacola and he left his car in the driveway without driving it for a week or so and had rodents do a couple of grand worth of damage by eating the insulation off the wires in the engine compartment.  He now leaves mothballs in the engine compartment whenever he's not going to be driving for more than a couple of days.  Evidently they hate the smell and leave it alone.  No more issues since he started doing that.

-RP

[John Schmidt]

Go to a storage facility and see if they have ground level units big enough for a car, kinda like a single stall garage. Might cost a few bucks a month but it's out of the elements and out of sight for curious midnight haulers.

[Robert]

Total non issue really, I live a mile away from the ocean and have one of my cars under a car cover since I only use it infrequently. No problem at all but a couple of points.

First the cover better be the best cover that they make unless its only going to be a temporary thing. I have gone through 8 or 9 and finally spent the money on a really good cover and its well worth it for long term storage. Make sure the condo commandos OK a car cover because some communities do NOT allow it. It would not be a big problem either way, if you dont plan to keep it here for more than a few months. But on a yearly basis I would put a cover on it. DO NOT put it in a storage facility since they do not breathe and mold and mildew can get on the interior of the car.

Next the battery, if your car has a battery that normally does not stay good that long, then disconnect it or get a trickle charger. Even with a car cover front window shade would be a good idea.
 
You are coming down in the winter  it will be cooler and less problem as far as baking the car.
If you need any help pm me and Ill be glad to.

Just one last thought, a cover that breathes is necessary but make sure its waterproof and UV proof.

[Tx Bohemian]

Go to a storage facility and see if they have ground level units big enough for a car, kinda like a single stall garage. Might cost a few bucks a month but it's out of the elements and out of sight for curious midnight haulers.

This was my thought too.

I don't live in Florida but in S Texas and fight the heat and humidity also.

I rent a 10' X 20' storage unit (size of a one car garage) for $65 a month. There was no deposit for length of rental.
But again, that's here in Tx, not sure how it would be in Fl.

One suggestion if you do park it outside would be to get "vent shades". These would allow you to crack the windows a bit to not allow the heat to build up.

[robin]

I would rent a storage unit for 3 months and keep it inside away from prying eyes

[TJ]

Bring it down , park it , and don't worry about it...   It will be fine...  If your battery won't hold a charge for 3 months then it needs to be replaced anyway..
If your 4 miles from beach it's not a problem , just wash it good when you get back..
I spend 20 yrs in that area....  


PS: just add some sta-bil to the fuel

[G-Man]

Bring it down , park it , and don't worry about it...   It will be fine...  If your battery won't hold a charge for 3 months then it needs to be replaced anyway..
If your 4 miles from beach it's not a problem , just wash it good when you get back..
I spend 20 yrs in that area....  


PS: just add some sta-bil to the fuel

Thank you all!

[9Ball]

Not much harder on a car than being in NY...all the salt on the roads and snow.  I think you’ll be fine for a couple of months in sunny FL, especially in the winter.

Good luck...

[Jess Tolbirt]

I am from south east Texas down by the coast, covered or uncovered the salty air will have it turned into a pile of rust in no time..

[2KVISRiderDan]

Just fyi, if renting a storage unit. Most of the larger storage companies in Florida such as Extra Space give the first month free with no contract. I put all of our lawn furniture, mower, cycle mate trailer, and a bunch of other outdoor items in a 20' x 10' unit for a month at $0 when hurricane Irma came through in 2017.