5.0 Storage, Winterization, Car Cover Seasonal Care Thread

[FoxMustangLvr]

What do you guys do to get your car ready for the upcoming Winter? Any advice or tips for car covers? I've never bought one so I don't know what material is best for indoor storage of a vehicle. I'd like to get one that keeps dust out but doesn't trap moisture inside the cover.

I have a bunch of work to do on the car this winter but I'd still like to have most of the car under a quality cover this upcoming winter.

 

[elarm1]

I bought an Autozone special. My car stays in the garage so I had no need for a heavy duty one.

 

[A5literMan]

I've never used a cover. So I am interested also.

 

[stpete]

For the car that eventually became my race car, I used to have an indoor only cover. It would keep the dust off the car and keep the kids from scratching it with their bikes (the real reason I bought it).
The problem was that I'd have to put the car outside for a few days or weeks sometimes while another car got some love. During some seasons, the car would get covered in pollen, then it would rain. When I pulled the car in I really didn't want to put a cover on it until it was a little cleaner. I wished I had bought one that was outdoor capable so I could've kept it covered while it was outside also.

 

[RaggedGT]

Weather tech makes really good car covers. I have a Corvette buddy that stores his under a cover in the garage,but it sits in the driveway on occasion for a few days,under the cover- and it does a good job.
When I put mine up for winter (which it's been put up for a year now lol) I put 8-gallons of gas in it with a bottle of STA Bil fuel treatment. Checked my antifreeze and topped it off. Disconnected my battery and put it on the battery tender and set my tire psi about 5lbs more than normal

 

[Jersey Joe]

I have a California car cover, it fits perfect but the car is always stored in the garage, so it isn't a heavy padded type

.

 

[Davedacarpainter]

Store my car for the winter? Why on earth would I store my car for the winter?

Oops, oh yeah, right, sorry. Winter can be bad in some places I hear .

 

[a91what]

Winter is that where it gets below 70* during the day?

 

[Mustang5L5]

While I like fitted covers, I ended use getting a standard one just for keeping dust off inside the garage. I believe I got it from American muscle.

As for winter storage? Change oil, and that's about it. I'll prob still bsck it out of the garage when it warms up to 35 in the middle of January and I'm bored.

I need the car mobile because this winter I need to finish the garage. Electrical, insulation, Sheetrock and paint. Tired of looking at studs

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[nickpic]

I have been thinking about getting one of those portable garages. Been thinking about the cheap harbor freight one or spending a little more and getting a round shelter logic. The round style is supposed to be better for snow and wind.

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[A5literMan]

Weather tech makes really good car covers. I have a Corvette buddy that stores his under a cover in the garage,but it sits in the driveway on occasion for a few days,under the cover- and it does a good job.
When I put mine up for winter (which it's been put up for a year now lol) I put 8-gallons of gas in it with a bottle of STA Bil fuel treatment. Checked my antifreeze and topped it off. Disconnected my battery and put it on the battery tender and set my tire psi about 5lbs more than normal

I do the same. I also put STABIL in all my lawn care items and boat. Makes a big difference come first start.

 

[mikestang63]

What is this winter you people speak of?

What I did when I lived up north but I tend to be OCD

• Fresh coat of wax on car and wheels
• Silicone or other protectant on rubber and vinyl outside trim, tires
  
• covered it
  
• Put it on jackstands so you dont get flat spots on the tires
• dump a bottle of Stabil in the gas
• Make sure you have 50/50 in the system
• Fresh oil and filter
  
• disconnect the battery
• put some dryer sheets in the interior to keep critters, bugs and mildew out
• put towels on the seats
  
• Spray some PB blaster or WD40 on hinges, door locks, brake and clutch cables
• Removed the spark plugs and put a small squirt of oil in each cylinder

 

[A5literMan]

What is this winter you people speak of?

What I did when I lived up north but I tend to be OCD

• Fresh coat of wax on car and wheels
• Silicone or other protectant on rubber and vinyl outside trim, tires
  
• covered it
  
• Put it on jackstands so you dont get flat spots on the tires
• dump a bottle of Stabil in the gas
• Make sure you have 50/50 in the system
• Fresh oil and filter
  
• disconnect the battery
• put some dryer sheets in the interior to keep critters, bugs and mildew out
• put towels on the seats
  
• Spray some PB blaster or WD40 on hinges, door locks, brake and clutch cables
• Removed the spark plugs and put a small squirt of oil in each cylinder

Damn...you were serious!

 

[cleanLX]

Very similar to Mike, so, cut/paste/edit....

What I did when I lived up north...

• Full detail inside and out with a fresh coat of wax on car.
  
• Silicone or other protectant on rubber and vinyl outside trim, tires.
  
• Covered it with outdoor grade breathable cover.
  
• Let it sit on the floor, flat spots were gone before I got to second gear in the spring.
• Laid 8mm poly on the floor to keep moisture from wicking up under the car.
  
• Full tank of gas with a bottle of Stabil in the gas.
• Make sure you have 50/50 in the system.
• Fresh oil and filter.
  
• Disconnect and remove the battery, store the battery on a cool concrete floor.
  
• Put some dryer sheets in the interior and glove box to keep critters, bugs and mildew out (critters like to get in through the glove box, ask me why my car's nickname is "The Mouse")...
• Pull the floor matts out (keeps from trapping moisture)
  
• Fogged the engine, too lazy for the spark plug trick.
• Duct tape the fender opening (inside the air box) closed to keep critters out of the intake track... same for tailpipes.

 

[RaggedGT]

Very similar to Mike, so, cut/paste/edit....

What I did when I lived up north...

• Full detail inside and out with a fresh coat of wax on car.
  
• Silicone or other protectant on rubber and vinyl outside trim, tires.
  
• Covered it with outdoor grade breathable cover.
  
• Let it sit on the floor, flat spots were gone before I got to second gear in the spring.
• Laid 8mm poly on the floor to keep moisture from wicking up under the car.
  
• Full tank of gas with a bottle of Stabil in the gas.
• Make sure you have 50/50 in the system.
• Fresh oil and filter.
  
• Disconnect and remove the battery, store the battery on a cool concrete floor.
  
• Put some dryer sheets in the interior and glove box to keep critters, bugs and mildew out (critters like to get in through the glove box, ask me why my car's nickname is "The Mouse")...
• Pull the floor matts out (keeps from trapping moisture)
  
• Fogged the engine, too lazy for the spark plug trick.
• Duct tape the fender opening (inside the air box) closed to keep critters out of the intake track... same for tailpipes.

Cool concrete lol

 

[89oem]

@cleanLX. Does the poly on the floor work?
What about moisture in the air?

 

[cleanLX]

Cool concrete (this was back in Canada, not here in AZ, and with 6' frost lines everyone had a basement, finding cool conc. was easy during the winter months), read it'll help keep the charge better than sitting in the tray or on a work bench. Never had one not work come spring.

Poly - where I lived, even in a dry garage, moisture would work up thru the concrete slab... long ago i had read this tip and went ahead and ran with it.
No rust on the underside of the car... cannot report for sure if the poly helped or not, but, it was often damp/condensated on the underside.

 

[89oem]

Thanks! That's what I was hoping to hear,

 

[LiquidStangs]

I'm far enough north to have a winter, but far enough south that there's always a dry and not too cold day for driving. Last year, apart from when I tore the front suspension apart, I drove it about once a week. I hope I can do the same this winter.

I'm interested in hearing about a good car cover. I bought a cheap one to tide me over, but it wasn't waterproof, and I don't have room in the garage for it. The rear spoiler was particularly bad for collecting water. Eventually, I took the cover off and just let it sit outside.

My only rule: no driving on wet, salty roads. The poor thing has enough rust already; no sense encouraging more.

 

[nickpic]

So what's the thought change oil before storage then again after it comes out of storage?

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