Winter Storage

[swl987]

i store my car in my garage for the winter. i start it up every week or two and let it warm up. is there any precautions i should take as far as preventetive maintenance? is it true that you should fill up your gas tank so moisture does'nt build up? the car has low miles if that matters.

 

[sgarlic]

You could put some fuel stablizer in there if you feel the need. If you're going to start it all the time you probably won't need to, but it's good insurance. Keeping it off the ground can help too, on jackstands so the tires don't touch the ground.

 

[timeless2]

I would actually drive it every couple of weeks, if the roads are dry. The salt won't cling, just create dust, if it's dry and you will be fine.

It will help your drivetrain and braking system stay limber. The worst thing a car can do is sit and dry up.

 

[xseler8]

Full tank of gas is good. I don't touch mine once winter sets in. Battery usually
dies and I use a jump start battery to get it going. My biggest concern is mice.
I leave trays of moth balls under the car & dryer sheets in the engine bay(mice are suppose to not like the sheets...don't know how accurate that is)and some dryer sheets on the car floor.Smells good. Other than that,nothing else. I leave the tires fully inflated. I have done the same thing for 3 years and so far so good. If you can drive it once in a while it will keep the battery charged.

 

[kurst]

You should be fine, but I'd invest in a bottle of STA-BIL just to be on the safe side. Cheap insurance.

 

[stang74]

don't start it if your not gonna run the car to full temp to burn off moisture. pump up the tire pressure to maximum recomended to avoid flat spots, and trickle charge your battery every couple weeks. full tank of gas also with stabil. and leave the e-brake down so you dont stretch the cable overtime

 

[BLUE03GT]

move to California... no garaging needed... case closed

 

[sgarlic]

.. or AZ.

 

[jivepepper]

.. or AZ.

My grandparents live in the Phoenix area in sun city.
I had an uncle in the Tucson area. I have been there about 10 times in ten years this summer was the first time I was there when it was almost a 120*. I also like going to Nogales. But if you don't want your car cooked to death you better at least have a carport.

 

[Serper3]

move to California... no garaging needed... case closed

cali kicks ass. esp if ur in the bay..(repin the 408)

 

[V8SRGRT]

I put mine away every winter.....leave e-brake off, disconnect battery, sta-bil for gas, crack the windows so the seals do not get memory, dryer sheets under hood,a bar of irish spring in the car. Its parked on carpet with a tarp underneath to keep the moisture from building up under the car,flannel sheets under a car cover. i am not sure about the jack stands.....what if your house were to catch on fire and you wanted to ge the car out?? answer..SOL. At least you have a chance with the car on the ground.

 

[CanadaStang]

don't start it if your not gonna run the car to full temp to burn off moisture. pump up the tire pressure to maximum recomended to avoid flat spots, and trickle charge your battery every couple weeks. full tank of gas also with stabil. and leave the e-brake down so you dont stretch the cable overtime

Just starting it and shutting it off again will create acidic condensation that's rather harsh on your engine and exhaust system.

 

[DMAN302]

I never start mine from nov to april..condensation can collect in the engine and in the exhaust. I would fill the tank, pull the battery, steel wool in the exhaust(keeps mice out), dryer sheets in the interior(keeps bad smell out) and be done with it.

 

[CanadaStang]

A few years ago I had mice build a nest in my snowmobile, after taking it out my dad had said that he heard moth balls will keep the mice away and may be worth a try. Unfortunately, a few days later I went to check on my snowmobile and found a new nest, only this time the mouse had gatherd up all the moth balls and had incorporated them into the new nest Not only did it not work but while out snowmobiling the next winter everytime I lifted the hood it smelt like an old lady's closet

 

[timeless2]

A few years ago I had mice build a nest in my snowmobile, after taking it out my dad had said that he heard moth balls will keep the mice away and may be worth a try. Unfortunately, a few days later I went to check on my snowmobile and found a new nest, only this time the mouse had gatherd up all the moth balls and had incorporated them into the new nest Not only did it not work but while out snowmobiling the next winter everytime I lifted the hood it smelt like an old lady's closet

Owned by rodents.

 

[xseler8]

A few years ago I had mice build a nest in my snowmobile, after taking it out my dad had said that he heard moth balls will keep the mice away and may be worth a try. Unfortunately, a few days later I went to check on my snowmobile and found a new nest, only this time the mouse had gatherd up all the moth balls and had incorporated them into the new nest Not only did it not work but while out snowmobiling the next winter everytime I lifted the hood it smelt like an old lady's closet

The mice don't have a moth problem with their clothes

 

[MyEarsHurt]

I use stabil in a full tank of gas, and put some strong smelling soap on the floorboards as i hear it prevents mice from entering the car. I dont start mine up until spring has arrived, it sits in silence from mid november-april

 

[jgarcea]

Where is the best location for the jack stands?

 

[tjm73]

This comes up every year and I laugh every year. I pull my car itneh garage, unhook the battery, put moth balls in the trunk interior and engine compartment (fresh new ones every year), put the cover on it and close the door behind me. Mice only take moth balls after they lose their "stink".

Stabil is a joke and not needed.

 

[CanadaStang]

This comes up every year and I laugh every year. I pull my car itneh garage, unhook the battery, put moth balls in the trunk interior and engine compartment (fresh new ones every year), put the cover on it and close the door behind me. Mice only take moth balls after they lose their "stink".

Stabil is a joke and not needed.

The moth balls I put in my snowmobile were only there 3 days before the mice took them New box too!!
You don't really need Stable unless the car is parked over the summer [ gas goes bad quickly in higher temps and stable will make it last about 3 times longer before going bad], if the car is stored in a cool place for the winter months Stable really isn't needed.