Winter Storage First Timer - Any Tips?

[nibjones]

I live in a condo, last year I just disconnected the ground terminal of the battery and after 4 months it started fine.

I've been thinking about getting a battery tender though, but since I don't have anywhere to connect near the car, I would have to remove the battery completely and leave it connected in my apartment.

Is it worth it? Or just disconnecting the ground again should be enough to last 4 months?

If it matters, I won't have access to the car/battery for the entire winter as I will be travelling.

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[ihasnostang]

i take my battery out and bring it in the house

 

[LCK22GT]

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

Thanks for showing these. I just ordered a set.

 

[RedCanPp2]

You can get solar versions

Not when I'm parked 4 floors below ground lol

Cold id not a battery's friend. Pull it and bring it inside. You probably wont have to charge it if it says at room temp over winter

I'll probably do that, although it doesn't get too cold (around 15 Celsius / 60 Fahrenheit).

 

[nibjones]

lol

Yeah, that’s definitely not an option

 

[Johnnybee]

When I was storing my TR8 in my parents’ unheated garage, I cut a piece of vapour barrier 12-18” larger than the foot print of the car all around and laid it down on the concrete. When the temps fluctuated around the freezing mark, you could see the moisture that came up through the floor on the bottom of the vapour barrier, which would have condensed on the bottom of the car otherwise.

 

[Mach 307]

Hey guys so for the Stabil, should I put it in at the gas station before I fill up, fill up, then drive home to store the car? Looks like Stabil says 6oz for a 15 gallon tank, ours is 16 gallons so right around there seems good?

 

[robvas]

Hey guys so for the Stabil, should I put it in at the gas station before I fill up, fill up, then drive home to store the car? Looks like Stabil says 6oz for a 15 gallon tank, ours is 16 gallons so right around there seems good?

Yea, driving it around for a bit will let it mix in and fill the the lines

 

[Mach 307]

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

I ended up buying these, any issue leaving the parking brake off while on them?

 

[Mach 307]

When I was storing my TR8 in my parents’ unheated garage, I cut a piece of vapour barrier 12-18” larger than the foot print of the car all around and laid it down on the concrete. When the temps fluctuated around the freezing mark, you could see the moisture that came up through the floor on the bottom of the vapour barrier, which would have condensed on the bottom of the car otherwise.

I will have to check this out.

 

[flyleclair]

Nice! I had no issues with doing that.

 

[robvas]

When I was storing my TR8 in my parents’ unheated garage, I cut a piece of vapour barrier 12-18” larger than the foot print of the car all around and laid it down on the concrete. When the temps fluctuated around the freezing mark, you could see the moisture that came up through the floor on the bottom of the vapour barrier, which would have condensed on the bottom of the car otherwise.

The air under the car still gets humidity from the rest of the air in the garage. It doesn't magically only going straight up. Just like if you have a rubber-ish mat on a basement floor it will trap moisture in it.

 

[Mach 307]

The air under the car still gets humidity from the rest of the air in the garage. It doesn't magically only going straight up. Just like if you have a rubber-ish mat on a basement floor it will trap moisture in it.

Is this really something I even need to consider then would you say?

 

[Mach 307]

If my oil is at 82% of its life, would you guys say wait to change until after storage?

 

[Skye]

If my oil is at 82% of its life, would you guys say wait to change until after storage?

Following the Oil Life Monitor, you'll lose close to 2% each week while at rest.

I'm not far from your reading now. My car is stored today and will rest until the Spring.

I lose about 30% on average while stored.

If I see the OLM will expire while in storage, I change the oil beforehand.

If the OLM will not expire while in storage, I continue to follow the OLM.

While some change their oil just before or just after, I do not. In my mind, whatever chemical processes are occurring stop while the engine is off. I've let the car sit with "used" oil in the case several times. Oil analysis at each oil change has yet to show a negative impact.

YMMV.

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