Storing Mustang on stands, leave in neutral/no brake?

[MADMAX11]

Good morning all! Quick question, first time storing my Mustang (manual transmission) in the garage for the winter. I'm going to be elevating and putting on 4 proper jack stands for several months... Q = while it's up there I believe I would just leave it in neutral without the emergency brake on, is that correct? Just want to make sure before going ahead. Thank you kindly in advance. MM

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[Shadow277]

I'm thinking the same. Less tension on different parts.

 

[Qcman17]

I've never understood why there would be a need to store the car on jack stands for the winter. I had always heard it was better to keep the weight on the suspension as it was designed but who knows........ That said my car is always stored with the tires on the ground and have never had an issue in the last 9 years doing that with 2 cars.

 

[Skye]

I prefer to keep the car on the ground, tires overinflated, in neutral, no parking brake and the wheels chocked.

 

[MAGS1]

You can also get a set of these, leave the car in neutral, car shouldn’t roll anywhere. As a few others said, I wouldn’t leave the car up in the air on stands for an extended period of time. You have the weight of the wheels and tires pulling down on the suspension components.

https://www.raceramps.com/car-storage/ramps/p/flatstoppers/

 

[mustangdriver]

I agree with skye, I would never store on jack stands, if the house caught fire you might be
able to save the car and if the car started burning you could roll it outside to save the house.

 

[Rapid Red]

Always hang mine from the ceiling, uses up less floor space.

 

[Bulldog9]

No need for jack stands. Modern wheel bearings I 9ver pressure tires to 45- 50lbs to help with potential flat spots, and extra insurance if a slow leak. If you leave in neutral and no ebrake chock both ways.

My 40 year formula "Fresh oil, don't put away wet, over pressure tires, stabilize fuel, put on batter tender under a cover and all will be well come spring. I am often gone for 30 days up to a year, never an issue.

 

[Crew4991]

On the ground, trickle charger plugged in, neutral and wheels chocked.

Also unlocked in case you want to jump in and sit for a bit to contemplate life.

 

[JOKER M1]

On the ground, tires @ 40 psi, ran stabil through fuel system in full tank, no e brake, neutral with wheels chocked, trickle charger & covered

 

[FinitePrimus]

I'm Mr. Worst-case-scenario so I need my car to always be able to start and move if needed at all times so I just overinflate the tires, park so all four tires are on a foam pad and then charge the battery once or twice a month.

 

[Helltime]

I’ve never put that much thought into it. Fresh oil, stabil in the tank (full tank of non ethanol gas) and battery tender.
I’ve never done the over inflated tires, also always used the ebrake and parked in gear. 16 years and never had an issue, any flat spotting I’ve dealt with smoothed out within the first couple of miles.

 

[Rapid Red]

No need for jack stands. Modern wheel bearings I 9ver pressure tires to 45- 50lbs to help with potential flat spots, and extra insurance if a slow leak. If you leave in neutral and no ebrake chock both ways.

My 40 year formula "Fresh oil, don't put away wet, over pressure tires, stabilize fuel, put on batter tender under a cover and all will be well come spring. I am often gone for 30 days up to a year, never an issue.

Once the bias ply tire went by the way of the radials. Tires having flat spots, only happen at high speeds, brakes locked and skidding down the assault/track.

Fat spots & tires myth challenged

Further proof for the open-minded, MT sportsman is a biased ply tire. One car sits for a few weeks or months. Take it out for a spin noticeable flat spots felt from sitting. Down the road tires warmed all gone.

Another car has MT drag radials for the rear and radial front runners. Sits most of the winter months. Light it up and go for a ride, zero tire flat spots.

Never use the stable fuel additives, not posting that it's snake oil. Having no personal experiences to go by.

Might be necessary if a low-grade fuel is on board. I fill the tank, and this goes for all gas-powered equipment. Before storing and only run high test.

With the different weather patterns across the US, maybe a fuel stabilizer additive would be necessary, who's to say?

 

[Cobra Jet]

My 94 Cobra is taken out for local car shows and the occasional weekend drive. It sees less than 5000 miles per year (if that at all).

It is parked in the garage, with fully inflated tires, 1/4 tank of fuel and the battery on a battery tender 24/7. I've never had an issue with the tires flat spotting or even starting the vehicle when it's been stored as it is - and it's been like this now since approx 2007. As long as the vehicle is started and driven every so often, there's absolutely no issue with "parking it" and letting it rest for a few months.

When a vehicle is "suspended" via jack stands or even say a 4-post lift, the suspension hangs and is unloaded. If the vehicle is in such a position long term (6-mos or greater), that suspension will not settle back to normal instantly. The car will look raised and may drive weird, until the suspension is able to settle back into place.

I like being able to back out and go - not mess around with floor jacks, jack stands, ramps, blocks or a lift... IMO, the only time a car should be suspended as such is if you're working on it - not for storage purposes.

The idea that if there is a fire event too - being able to get the car away from the home is a key thought and that cannot be done quick enough if the car is suspended on jack stands.

 

[Bulldog9]

Once the bias ply tire went by the way of the radials. Tires having flat spots, only happen at high speeds, brakes locked and skidding down the assault/track.

Fat spots & tires myth challenged

Further proof for the open-minded, MT sportsman is a biased ply tire. One car sits for a few weeks or months. Take it out for a spin noticeable flat spots felt from sitting. Down the road tires warmed all gone.

Another car has MT drag radials for the rear and radial front runners. Sits most of the winter months. Light it up and go for a ride, zero tire flat spots.

Never use the stable fuel additives, not posting that it's snake oil. Having no personal experiences to go by.

Might be necessary if a low-grade fuel is on board. I fill the tank, and this goes for all gas-powered equipment. Before storing and only run high test.

With the different weather patterns across the US, maybe a fuel stabilizer additive would be necessary, who's to say?

30-40+ years experience storing bikes and cars both FI and carb, no issues even over a year when using a good stabilizer like seafoam or stabil marine.

Flat spots are less an issue with radials, but still possible and airing up is good practice especially when sitting for many months in freezing temps or extended periods.

YMMV, but ill happily take these simple and easy steps to prolong my enjoyment especially with my 1970's cars and motorcycles as well as my modern bikes and cars. I'm often gone for 12-15 months, and have no issues from sitting that long.

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