Winter Storage First Timer - Any Tips?

[Mach 307]

Hey guys, I will be storing my Mach 1 this winter in Illinois. Previously, I daily drove my GT year round as I had no daily driver or garage, so this is my first time doing this. Super happy to be in this position, as this thing has 0 rust on it, and I never want it to see salt.

Any tips on how to do this to make things go smoothly? My garage is attached, but not climate controlled.

Thank you!

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[Skye]

Skye is stored for several months throughout Winter.

Times past, rock salt and sand were used on the roads in my area. The last few years, they've been using a brine (salt) solution. Sand and grit are still used in more challenging locations.

While salt was always a concern, the material being sprayed now is tacky. I've noticed that, just as it sticks to the road a few days before a storm arrives, it also stays longer on body surfaces. The material takes more effort to remove it.

If you have Summer tires, be mindful of the temperature in the storage location.

If the garage temps will be approaching 40 F / 4 C or colder, it'd be a good idea to take the wheels off and stow inside. I wouldn't be to concerned about an occasional one-off, but cycling in and out of that temperature range, it's something I'd rather not do.

If these temps are seen, let the tire come up to at least 50 F / 10 C or hotter, 24 hours continuous, before rolling the tire or moving the vehicle.

- If any maintenance will be due during storage, lean forward and accomplish early

- Full detailing, inside and out

- One bottle of Stabil* and a full tank of gas

- Air tires up to 40 psi / 2.75 bar

- Park in garage, chock wheels

- Car left in neutral

- Parking brake NOT engaged

- Battery tender attached

- Car covered

- Lock vehicle

- Engine will not spin again until the cover is removed and the vehicle is driven

Once a month or so, I'll inspect the vehicle. Cover comes partially off. Using a torch, I'll review the interior, under hood and under car.

* To pour in the Stabil, you'll need the small white funnel from the trunk, or a similar funnel from the parts store.

Coming out of storage:

- Disconnect the battery tender

- De-pressurize tires

- Drive, one hour, continuous. The first drive is something of a trial. All I'm doing is function testing, checking for weird noises, leaks, smells, letting everything move around well. I will encounter some minor flat-spotting, for about the first 15 minutes or so. After this initial drive, it's like nothing ever happened and I drive like I normally would

For those concerned about mice:

- Remove all sources of food from the immediate area

- Remove all materials which could become bedding

- De-clutter the storage area

- Mice do not like strong and intense smells of some kinds. Many use mints or mint oils, at the tires, under hood and sometimes inside the cabin. Others report success with scented dryer sheets

- Depending on the exhaust system, insert steel wool in the exhaust tip openings

- Inspect the area and vehicle often. When you do, make noise and disrupt things. Make the area unwelcoming. Leave lights on. Cycle lights on/off over time

- Set traps throughout the area. Peanut butter or peanut butter crackers seem to be a favorite

- Check outside, the permitter of the home or storage location. Look for signs of varmint activity

- If you use any of the high frequency devices, keep them powered at all times and move them often

 

[robvas]

Don't overthink it. Cover it. Put it on a battery tender, don't start it unless you're going to drive it.

 

[daSNAK3]

I always...

-Pull my battery and bring it inside
-Fill the tank up
-Put extra psi in the tires
-Lay moth balls around the car and dryer sheets around and inside the car since I've had critters storing corn and shit under my passenger seat before.

oh yea and I hang a big moisture absorber on the hanger next to the seat belt.

 

[pinksurfer]

when I lived in wisconsin I laid up my wakeboats in a storage unit I had zero access to from mid oct to mid apr. I always did the following:
fresh oil change
non ethanol gas and stabil with the last run of the year
air up the tires.
park them on a chunk of carpet to keep tires off concrete
remove the 3 batteries and keep on a tender in the basement
mothballs and a few dryer sheets.

never had an issue but I also knew some guys that simply stopped running, put in garage and pull out next spring. they didn't have issues either so I decided it boils down to what you are comfortable with.

 

[Freeair]

Or, you could purchase a set of take-off wheels w/ all season performance tires and take the car out every few weeks on warmer days. That will provide years of occasional winter use, maybe supplanted by the aforementioned battery tender. As an ex-Chicagoan, I can attest that even the upper Midwest has admittedly few, but enough moderate winter days to eliminate the need for long term winter storage if you are committed to exercising the car.

 

[flyleclair]

I bought these last year and worked great. Race Ramps 4-Pack FlatStoppers Car Wheel Ramp, Non-Skid Storage Pads & High-Density Foam

 

[robvas]

Or, you could purchase a set of take-off wheels w/ all season performance tires and take the car out every few weeks on warmer days.

Why?

So many pot holes in the winter from the plows. Plus lots of residual salt on the roads

I bought these last year and worked great. Race Ramps 4-Pack FlatStoppers Car Wheel Ramp, Non-Skid Storage Pads & High-Density Foam

Never understood what "keeping the tires of the cement" was supposed to do.

I might park the car on dollys this year, just so I can push it from side to side to tuck it in the corner of the garage.

 

[pinksurfer]

As an ex-Chicagoan, I can attest that even the upper Midwest has admittedly few, but enough moderate winter days to eliminate the need for long term winter storage if you are committed to exercising the car.

rule of thumb in green bay was NO roads for ANYTHING you value until the second rain day in the spring. that was usually sufficient to wash all the salt off.
your car your rules tho......

Never understood what "keeping the tires of the cement" was supposed to do.

premature dry rot from the concrete and have heard but never confirmed it leeches the oils off the tires.
all the boat forums and rv forums say never store long term directly on concrete.

 

[robvas]

all the boat forums and rv forums say never store long term directly on concrete.

I mean, my cars all probably spend 23 hours a day on concrete.

why is that different in the winter?

 

[pinksurfer]

I mean, my cars all probably spend 23 hours a day on concrete.

why is that different in the winter?

Dunno. Was recommended from first wakeboat dealer along with all the boating forums over the years .so i always followed it. 4 carpet squares were under 10bux so not a lot of cost.

I'm sure Google has the answer you seek

 

[I Bleed Ford Blue]

Full detail inside and out, air up the tires to about 40, full tank of gas with a bottle of Stabil, battery tender, cover it. Leave it alone until spring. Don't start it unless you intend to drive it.

 

[JoeCee]

I live in WI. Fill up with gas, I put rubber mats under tires, hook battery tender up, put cover on and say goodnight. So many people make a big f-in production out of this.

 

[exvette]

I mean, my cars all probably spend 23 hours a day on concrete.

why is that different in the winter?
[/QUOTE
I heard that concrete seeps heat from the tires. Maybe just an old wive's tale.

 

[exvette]

that's "wife's". stupid fingers.

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