Winter Storage Mega-thread and Recommendations from Owners Manual

[barstowpo]

I put my car up on cheap Harbor Freight car dollies. They are rounded and seem to help. I can also move the car around the garage if need be.

Sponsored

 

[noac]

I was just reading through this thread for the first time. Some thoughts of my own from successful winter storage of over 25 years...

-climate controlled if possible

-fresh oil change prior to storage

-fill tank only if non ethanol gas is available...even then this is debatable

-if non ethanol gas is not available..run tank down as low as possible and fill with 93 ASAP when driven

-cover a clean/dry car with a good cover

-remove battery

-do not start the car at all, for any reason until Spring

-if you wish to move a few feet, use some muscle

-clean interior well

-put down a plastic tarp under car with plywood over the tarp...helps with moisture control

-run some Stabil in the gas prior to storage

-spray WD40 all over natural aluminum like front engine cover and all the natural components down
there. This will prevent oxidation and will wipe off easily come Spring.

-over inflate tires maybe 8-10 psi

-contact insurance and let them know where car is stored and that if will not be driven

- check on car as often as possible, especially after weather events

 

[Tank]

Seeing snowflakes are already flying out West, BUMP.

(Yeah, I know there’s been other threads on the subject. This one has 4-5 years of history )

 

[sotek2345]

My usual winter storage is:

• Fresh wash/wax
• 91 octane non-ethanol fuel with stabilizer, only a little left in the tank
• battery unplugged
• steel wool in the intake and exhaust (prevent critters from making it their home)
• dryer sheets in and around car (deters critters)
• moth balls hung in garage/shelter (detached from house)
• bowl of baking soda in car to keep condensation down

This will be the first year I need to put it on jack stands and store the tires in the basement (Sport Cups 2s don't like the cold). Anyone have any good suggestions for jack stands? I only have 2 basic ones (sears), so I need to get at least 2 more, or something better/easier/safer.

 

[plresultsman]

I think it's a catch 22 with idling the car to warm every so often while it's stored: http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/a19086/warming-up-your-car-in-the-cold-just-harms-engine/

If you don't run the car you risk corrosion internally (I guess?), though I wonder how bad it can get on the scale of a few months. If you do just idle it to operating temp once in awhile then you risk diluting the oil with fuel and whatever other bad things that article (just citing one source, there are plenty) discusses.

I haven't lived anywhere where I've had to store vehicles for the winter, but I've often had multiple vehicles. Those that don't get driven much, I used to crank them and idle them for a bit thinking I was doing good "keeping them running". Now I just try to take them for a short drive, 20~ min or so instead, and I disconnect the battery while they sit parked (outside). I guess this is something you can't do in places that have actual winters lol

Paywall. Can you copy & post the article?

Sponsored