Question for guys who let their cars set for long periods.

[The Shape]

How long can you let a car set before worrying about tire damage? I know if you are gonna put the car away for a year it is a good idea to take the weight off of the suspension, but what about just a few weeks or a month. Reason I ask is I went to drive my GT this morning and since the weather has cooled off I figured I should check the air in the tires. I noticed my front passenger side tire had a nasty split on the sidewall. This is on a set of BFG Radial T/A tires that have less than 7K miles on them. The car only sets for at most two weeks between being driven. I guess this could have just been a faulty tire. I am just glad I noticed it setting still before it blew out going 70 MPH on the highway.

 

[QDRHRSE]

That's a good question. I haven't driven mine since August and no problems. Heck. I might even fire it up right now! I have BFG's on the rear and no problems. It might be a combo of rough weather and faulty tire.

 

[rd]

You have to check or at least look at the tires and stuff if you let it sit that long. My everyday cars can sit at an airport for a week or more and be fine. But my Capri and Mustang need to be checked for tire pressure every couple weeks no matter what. I just did that on the Mustang. The low was 19 and the high was 42 psi. Whatever.

 

[spyne]

I regularly let my stang sit for a month or so. In the winter it can go for 2 or 3 months between drive, depending on the weather. I always check the tire pressure before going out and expect them to flat spot for a bit and run rough for the first 2 or 3 miles until they warm up. Other than that I've never had a problem. Sounds like you must have gotten a bad tire.

The main thing I try to do is remember to put in some fuel stabilizer and run it through the system before parking the car for the winter.