2003 Honda Civic Owner's Manual - Page 249

Storing Your Car If you need to park your car for an extended period (more than one month), there are several things you should do to prepare it for storage. Proper preparation helps prevent deterioration and makes it easier to get your car back on the road. If possible, store your car indoors. Fill the fuel tank. Disconnect the battery. Change the engine oil and filter (see page 205 ). Wash and dry the exterior completely. Clean the interior. Make sure the carpeting, floor mats, etc. are completely dry. Leave the parking brake off. Put the transmission in Reverse (5-speed manual) or Park (automatic). Support the front wiper blade arms with a folded towel or rag so they do not touch the windshield. To minimize sticking, apply a silicone spray lubricant to all door and trunk seals. Also, apply a vehicle body wax to the painted surfaces that mate with the door and trunk seals. If you store your car for 12 months or longer, have your Honda dealer perform the inspections called for in the 24 months maintenance schedule (Normal Conditions) as soon as you take it out of storage (see page 194 ). The replacements called for in the maintenance schedule are not needed unless the car has actually reached that time or mileage. Block the rear wheels. If the car is to be stored for a longer period, it should be supported on jackstands so the tires are off the ground. Leave one window open slightly (if the car is being stored indoors). Cover the car with a ''breathable'' cover, one made from a porous material such as cotton. Nonporous materials, such as plastic sheeting, trap moisture, which can damage the paint. If possible, run the engine for a while periodically (preferably once a month). 248 Maintenance