Storing a car over Winter

[Dasfinc]

I REALLY thought there was a thread dedicated to this, and couldn't find it, just some assorted suggestions to avoid rust.

I have an Unheated garage available to me to put my Mustang in for the winter.

The plan currently is to park the car in the garage, and put a car cover over it to prevent it from getting scratched by people bumping into it in the garage (My fathers house, I'm just 'renting' the garage basically). I'll Run it once or twice a month, and try and do this on clear days so I can take it around the block so the tires don't get flatspots or anything.

Any other suggestions?

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[Bob Kazamakis]

Run the tank low, put in stabil and fill it completely.

 

[SHOmuff]

I put Sta-bil in the tank and I bought a battery tender this year.

 

[Dasfinc]

I put Sta-bil in the tank and I bought a battery tender this year.

TOTAL long-shot, but would a Motorcycle battery tender work the same (or are they not 12V)? I have one laying around I could use.

 

[Lord Tin Foilhat]

TOTAL long-shot, but would a Motorcycle battery tender work the same (or are they not 12V)? I have one laying around I could use.

some charge is better then no charge .. if it works

 

[EmersonHart13]

20 bucks for a Battery Tender Jr:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CITK8S/?tag=tcg21-20

 

[Dasfinc]

20 bucks for a Battery Tender Jr:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CITK8S/?tag=tcg21-20

Looks basically identical to what I already own...

Anyone use a Motorcycle one for a car here?

 

[EmersonHart13]

Then you are probably good, can you look up the specs for it?

My Dad had to buy a 'special' one for his Optima. As long as it is 12 volt you should be good.

 

[Intel]

Honestly I wouldn't even bother running it over the winter. Just going to put a lot of water in the exhaust that you won't really burn off. Everyone has their voodoo for their car though.

At this stage you are probably only going to store it for 5 months tops.

Full tank- Stabil
Over inflate tires/scrap of carpet underneath if they are really soft compound.
I just unhook my battery.
Steel wool in exhaust pipes to prevent nests/critters getting in there.
Mothballs/mouse trap near engine bay(when it was stored elsewhere in a large warehouse)
Wash and wax and then put the car cover on. Lean a piece of thick cardboard next to it if it is parked next to other cars for door ding protection.

 

[EmersonHart13]

My Dad does Stabil and trickle charge. And I think he runs it once in the middle of winter.

 

[jvert]

Honestly I wouldn't even bother running it over the winter. Just going to put a lot of water in the exhaust that you won't really burn off. Everyone has their voodoo for their car though.

At this stage you are probably only going to store it for 5 months tops.

Full tank- Stabil
Over inflate tires/scrap of carpet underneath if they are really soft compound.
I just unhook my battery.
Steel wool in exhaust pipes to prevent nests/critters getting in there.
Mothballs/mouse trap near engine bay(when it was stored elsewhere in a large warehouse)
Wash and wax and then put the car cover on. Lean a piece of thick cardboard next to it if it is parked next to other cars for door ding protection.

I agree, I usually put a bounty fabric softner sheet in my car. Helps prevent bad smells.

 

[greasy]

If you pull the battery store it someplace warm if possible and never let it sit directly on the concrete.

 

[jason05gt]

Do you guys change the oil before the winter? I have synthetic in the car and was just planning on changing it in the spring. The current oil (Mobil 1) has 4,000 miles.

 

[greasy]

I would just change it first thing next spring.

 

[EmersonHart13]

My Dad always changes it before and then it is ready to go come spring. I honestly don't think it matters..?

 

[Tuner World]

What about lifting the car off the floor?

 

[Intel]

What about lifting the car off the floor?

Just leaving the suspension hanging there is bad from what I hear. Given my car is a 300zx that suspension has hung there for longer periods when I was rebuilding the block. Just what I was told. I put on my extra set of crap wheels and then stack and store my nice ones to keep from scuffing them while I work on the car.

Agree with the not leaving the battery on concrete. I usually keep a couple 2x4's to put them on when I have them removed from the car.

 

[Prevent]

What about lifting the car off the floor?

I park on foam mats that can be bought at Menards, they're like 1" thick and 24" by 24"

no flat spots here.

 

[THEHKP7M13]

Looks basically identical to what I already own...

Anyone use a Motorcycle one for a car here?

$3.99 at Harbor Frieght with the coupon. If you want the code let me know. I don't have the magazine handy at the moment or I would have posted it now.

 

[THEHKP7M13]

If your only storing for 3-4 month I think the chances of flat spotting are minimal. If you want to be totally anal like my best friend he puts his car(s) on jackstands and stores his tires indoors to avoid "dry rot" and flat spotting. But then again he stores his stuff from about late October to April/May.

 

[syP]

damn i got a battery tender you can borrow.. since im not storing a car this winter :wtc:

 

[slowchevy]

everyone i know who stores their car in the winter usually puts it on blocks or stands with the wheels off what's stopping you from that?

modern tires are less prone to "flat spotting" as weird as it sounds. sure, might get a small bit but your best bet ultimately would be 4 cinder blocks under frame, wheels off, battery tender on and start it and let it warm up once a week or once bi-weekly, and x2 on sta-bil and a full tank of premium

 

[syP]

1993 ford taurus.

Battery tender
Stabil in the tank
fresh oil change.
Bedsheets covering the car


thats it. Would sit for months then start right up no problem.

do eet

 

[Aircal]

I would leave the doors closed but not shut. What I mean is latched but not all the way closed so that the rubber seals are not completely compressed. Same deal for the trunk and hood.
Cardboard or plastic underneith, so you know if there are leaks and to act like a vaper block.

 

[Euro]

everyone i know who stores their car in the winter usually puts it on blocks or stands with the wheels off what's stopping you from that?

modern tires are less prone to "flat spotting" as weird as it sounds. sure, might get a small bit but your best bet ultimately would be 4 cinder blocks under frame, wheels off, battery tender on and start it and let it warm up once a week or once bi-weekly, and x2 on sta-bil and a full tank of premium

If new modern tires are less prone to flat spotting, what's the point of pulling the wheels and putting the car on jackstands??

We've stored the Monte the last 8 years with just Sta-Bil in a full tank, a fresh detail, cardboard underneath the car, and extra blankets draped over both sides. We've never had flat spots at all, and the tires have been on the car since we bought it.