I just purchased a new 2024 4Runner (paid cash) and learned I'll be out the country for the next 3 years. I thought about maybe leaving it at my brother's house which is across the country and have him drive it a few times a month. I also thought it would be much easier just to store it long term in my storage container. If i decide to store it what would be your recommendations on the maintenance? Draining of fluids etc. Would it be a degrade over those 3 years? Any help is appreciated.

Storage fees, insurance costs, deterioration over the next three years -- I'd consider selling it if you can't take it overseas with you.

Any chance your employer would compensate you for the loss?

The gasoline and battery would be my biggest concerns, if the container doesn’t get too hot. My mechanic has advised me not to run the fuel tank dry because fuel cools and lubricates the fuel pump. And I’m pretty sure 3 years is too long for even non-ethanol gas, treated with stabilizer, to remain viable.

I'd be in the sell it group. In demand vehicle and vehicle technology changes so much in 3 years.

I would look at selling it.

If it will just sit without anyone driving or starting I would drain the gas tank to less then a 1/4 and add gas stabilizer. Disconnect the battery.

When I grandmother couldn't drive anymore and then moved in with her daughter her car sat for awhile at times. I think over a year once with stuff going on. We put stabilizer in fuel ran it to get the stabilized fuel in all the lines and engine. Disconnected the battery. It started up after a year. Tires will be an issue. You will get flat spots if it's not moved at all. I would think of putting it up on stands and get the tires off the ground if it's not going to be driving.

1. Sell it
2. Bros house
The last thing I would do would be to store it, mice, fuel, tires, dry rot

Fresh oil change (if it’s new, you’ve already got break in oil in the motor as that is the factory fill with Toyota products), you need stabil in the fuel tank. Put in the appropriate amount for the tank size with a full tank of fuel. Then run the vehicle for at least 10 miles to get it good and circulated in the tank. You’ll need an AC outlet as you want to put a battery tender (cheap from Amazon) on the battery. If you can’t do that, then pull the battery completely out of the vehicle and put it on a battery tender indoors at someone’s house and leave it there. Overfill the tires by 4-5 psi but ideally if you had two jacks to get the thing off the ground that would be better. Getting the tires off the ground so they don’t develop flat spots is the goal but it’s not going to be the end of the world if you cannot do this. Despite what local oil change spots say and especially vehicle service departments, the fluids will last. Fluids break down and need to be drained from use, not storage. That change your oil every 3 or 6 month deal is utter bullshit. It’s use/miles that dictate that, not time. Good luck on your deployment. This is not something I would worry about. Will be nice to rotate back, brand new vehicle, and in 3 years you could pay it off and have the title, and a brand new vehicle. I would keep it. MSRP’s just keep going up, and up, and up.

I have 7 vehicles, 6 gas, 1 electric. + 3 more engines to maintain (lawn equipment). I know this stuff by the back of my hand. My ski hasn’t been run in 2 years but if I walked out to the garage, hooked up the garden hose to it, and started it, it would fire up at the first attempt and purr like a kitten.

I think cars age faster sitting than they do running. All my old cars are running nicely, and all are driven daily between three drivers including myself. I drive 2 to 3 of them switching randomly. They are 25, 22, 17, and 14 years old, but my hobby is working on old cars, it's definitely not for everybody. So especially in my case, the worst thing for any of my old cars is NOT to drive them. Letting them sit would be the worst possible outcome for all of them.

When one is down for repair or on stilts in my driveway for small rebuilds, the others are all running.

If I was a long distance driver this would be a problem, but I'm not so it works. I could always rent or eventually spring for a new ride if I needed to.

Beats a car payment.

As someone who has stored a vehicle or two during my Corps deployments, few months to a year no problem for three years sell it.

I understand why OP isn't selling as 2024 is the last 4Runner built to the present configuration. 2025 models have hybrid or turbo motors and many other changes that might not be desirable to some folks. I would let the brother use it while gone if it is not a hardship for him to keep it while you are overseas. Storage would not be a good option.

The advice given by Prefontaine above is good. Is your storage container (whatever it is) externally proofed against vermin? Mice, especially, because they can get through any opening their heads will fit through, can cause a lot of damage, including but not limited to chewed wiring and building nests in every nook and cranny.

Sell it.
Factor in three years of depreciation on a new car and you still need to keep it insured, in addition to the costs other mentioned.

quote:

Originally posted by 220-9er:

you still need to keep it insured, in addition to the costs other mentioned.

I informed our insurance company (Travelers) that one of our vehicles was not being driven, and I wanted to suspend all coverage except fire and theft. They did so, and the premium went way down.

There was a similar thread on another forum I occasionally visit. I was surprised to see several people mention their concerns regarding infestation by mice, squirrels, etc. There were a couple of stories of people coming back from a long trip (months, not years) to find varmints had taken up residence in the vehicle, destroying the seats, and chewing up the wiring in the engine compartment.

OP these cost less than car bubbles.

https://www.amazon.com/Hail-Pr...5473370&sr=8-11&th=1

But there are car bubbles that are on the lower cost side:
https://carcapsule.com/?utm_me...DEAAYASAAEgIvqPD_BwE

I'd either have your brother use it as if it were his own vehicle. If both of you are unwilling, sell it and buy another in the future when you get back. Sitting is not good for vehicles. Electrical and rubber components wear out. Things rust. Rodents get in an chew it up.

I remember back around 2000, I was working at Home Depot and a lady drove a then new Camaro in. She needed help loading something in it, I asked her to pull her vehicle to the loading zone. She said she didn't want to as it was the last Camaro they would make and she thought it would be worth something.

When I deployed, my cars went to my parents place. My mom drove my CUV and my dad would occasionally drive my Z06. Neither had problems for being under their car for a year at a time during my deployments.

quote:

also thought it would be much easier just to store it long term in my storage container.

The OP states he’s considering storing it in a storage container. If by that he means a sea container, those should be rodent proof. At least, the good ones are.

Thanks for all the good tips. Selling it isnt an option as this was the last year the 4runner made a naturally aspirated V6. We are opting to transport it to my brothers place where it will be garage kept and used very sparingly throughout the months.