My 99 F150 doesnt see alot of driving. Whats the best way to maintain it so it doesnt just rot away in the mean time? Its already up to speed on all its Ford recommended service intervals. I do start it periodically when I am not driving it.

 

The issues i had on an older toyota was that just about everything that had a seal shrank and leaked. Then thanks ethanol in gasoline it sucks up water from the atmosphere and the fuel tank rusted to hell. Which pluggef the strainer and kill the fuel pump.

Batteries go dead really fast when not used. Even a brand new good battery can go dead in 3 to 4 weeks and an older battery can go dead in 2 weeks not being driven. Keeping the battery charged on a trickle charger so that you can always drive it when you want to is a start cuz when the battery is dead and you don't have time to fool with it it doesn't get driven and everything just gets in worse shape.

 

I have a 1977 vehicle with 55k miles. It has sits in the winter sometimes for a few months without being driven. There is nothing parasitic to drain the battery. It never fails to start. When I do drive it, I always run the AC a bit to keep the seals wet. Any oil leaks the engine has are so minor that it never leaves a drop on the floor.

I have a 1990 vehicle with 42k miles. It does have parasitic draw and will kill a battery in a month or so. I have a disconnect on the negative post. I also run its AC when it gets driven. That engine in it is 100% leak free.

Before winter, I try to put ethanol free fuel and/or Stabil in each of them.

 

Mice and rats may make a home on your engine. And they love to chew, they have to really. A float charger is a must have item. I would make an effort to drive it once a week long enough to get it warmed up and condensation out of the pipes.

 

I am maintaining my F150 as well that rarely sees action anymore. I make it a point to drive it once a week, even just if it is going 5 miles to the store and back. So far, no dead battery, no leaks.

However, I did get a cylinder 7 misfire last night, LOL.

 

For the mice throw in some bounce dryer sheets. When I had the mustang up at my parent's pole barn I changed them about once a month and no mice issues. Same went for the house, threw some in the attic where they were getting in and no more mice. Prior to doing that I was catching at least two a week.

 

Good tip Aragorn. I've also heard that the "Black Ice" Little Christmas Tree air fresheners do as well.

 

The only caveat to it is if it's hot out you'll want to change them more frequently as the wax from the dryer sheet will melt and make a mess.

 

Knight, where abouts in Columbus are you? Im in Chillicothe-
You could just let me come and get it and rent it back when you need it

 

rcairbear, thanks for the offer but my Ford dealer does the work. Right now its where it needs to be I think, I just want to make sure its working when I need it. Its garage-kept. Guess I will just drive it from time to time.