The simplest (as well as effective) method of mice repellant is to place about ten Fabreeze or similar brand fabric softener sheets in the engine compartment, and also toss a few more sheets into the cabin. Works like a charm.

 

Longer than I could stand not using it

 

I stored my 09 Vantage last year and disconnected the battery as I didn't have any source of power and had to reprogram the seat, windows, radio, mirror and also the Missed Fire Calculation. like others said over inflate tires, fuel stabilizer, bounce sheet in the car, disconnect the battery (-) and good cover and say good night. Mine was away for almost 6 months last year and I just reconnected the battery and voila back in service, after doing the few things above :-)

 

I always change the oil and brake fluid b4 long storage. Prefer mechanicals resting in clean fluids. Plug exhaust tips. No food or standing water in the garage, and set some mouse traps, just in case. Fabric sheets may only work for about one or two months.

We have too much ethanol where I live. I use Star Tron stabilizer, the chemicals are better for the rubber / metal components. I also try to mix gas with non-ethanol fuel. Hearing too many stories of ethanol eating up fuel pumps, and other components. Unlikely in 6 months, but cheap insurance, for me.

 

Tidbits from the service manual....
Battery Disconnection
When a service manual procedure requires the vehicle battery to be disconnected - always physically disconnect the vehicle battery earth (Negative) lead.
Do not use the ‘Battery Disconnect Switch’.
After reconnecting the vehicle battery the following items will have to be reset or re-learnt:
• Radio pre-sets
• Windows
• DTCs will be lost

Tires....
Caution
In order to protect tyres against flat spots during storage and transportation, tyre pressures should be increased to 65 - 70 psi (450 - 500 kPa). Ensure that the tyre pressure are set to the recommended tyre pressures before driving.

 

Thanks guys for the replies.
I've been a bad boy and confess I forgot to add the battery tender, I called home today spoke to my own wife (wasn't too bad actually) she tells me that I did not plug in the charger nor have I left it in the garage.
The Aston is out of bounds for her to start (my rules) problem is I may only return mid January 2018

Will my car suffer damage? Not too concerned if it needs a boost before firing up.
My car does not have much batt drain and has always fired up after say 3 - 4 weeks no problem this time it will be around 16 weeks
I leave it unlocked so the only thing I think using power will be the clock.

 

16 weeks I am almost 100% certain that the battery will be dead, no big deal as you will only have to put your battery tender for a few days and it will fire right up. I personally unplugged my battery last year when I stored the car (2009 Vantage) as I didn't have a plug to connect my battery tender and I had to reset the seat, windows, radio and mirrors if I recall and had to redo the Misfire Correction sequence and that was it. I wouldn't lose too much sleep over it she will be fine.

 

Thanks, what is a mis fire correction?
And how do I fix it, not heard about this

 

This is from Irish007 I believe... It is also called "Coast Down Procedure"

The misfire correction monitor is not part of a smog test requirement. Yes it is a drive cycle but will not need to be completed to make sure the car is safe for the environment... You don't need to do a DMTL test in most states to pass a smog. BTW if the car is a 2011, the misfire monitor will not be cleared with a battery hard reset, pre-2011 those settings are toast when the battery is removed. The tests you needed where the SAIR/EVAP/Catalyst Drive cycle, once those are done, the rest will complete... minus the misfire correction monitor.

The "Coast Down Procedure" is:

1. Car needs to be at operating temp.
2. Drive car safely up to 70mph, with the a/c off, in "D"' or manual allowing car to reach 6th gear.
3. Once 70mph is reached, allow car to coast to 30mph, without hitting the brakes or turning the steering wheel more that 10 degrees
4. Repeat 2 & 3
5. Repeat 2 & 3
6. Repeat 2 & 3 (4 times total with no detection equipment)

NOTE 1: If you hit the brakes anywhere during the process, it will abort the sequence. That process won't count and you will need to do it again. With your experience, 4 successful procedures "should" relearn the sequence. You won't know unless AM dealer checks.

NOTE 2: With a battery replacement, you will need to reset radio pre-sets, window dip, and seat memory.

 

What year is your Vantage?? Irish007 had it as 2009.5 but later revised himself to say 2011 is when the actual change happen. I don't know if the change was made at the same time as the exhaust was change from 2 cats to 4 cats. Again no big deal, you just have to find a stretch of straight road

 

16 weeks is a long time.

My recommendation: Find a friend that could help your wife attach the Battery Tender.
That way by the time you get home the battery will be charged and hopefully you have retained all your codes.

 

Rules are made to be broken. Let the wife start the car, just make sure to tell her you know exactly what the odometer reads and it would not be wise if it changed

 

I'd rather not start the car, because just idling is not good either and it's better to warm all the way up