Storing for winter

[Roger Ramjet]

Assuming that you other Americans have ethanol fuels like US, you may want to consider StarTron fuel treatment. It prevents the green growth from alcohol.

[Beehave]

Originally Posted by Zdrrguy

Your on the right track with the Storage prep Blown! another thing is ideal for storage is go buy a half sheet of 2" foam insulation and cut into squares and set them up under your 4 tires, helps with the tires going out of round

I will second Frank about Marsha at Huggers, best $300 I spent for an outdoor cover!

Mark

Good method. It is nice if you can remove the Tires & Rims...not all have that luxury LOL. Air pressures & moisture can build up if you have extreme temp changes. Your pic looks like underground Condo storage?

Here are some thoughts from a Tire Doctor...You know school of Rubber..

Seriously some good points:

"First of all, regarding the effects of storage:
A cool, dry, sealed garage is your best condition for storage, however, it is realized that this is not often an available option. Concrete is not the tire enemy some people think it is.
We would recommend the following steps in storing a vehicle:
1. Make sure the floor / ground surface is free of any petroleum product contamination (Oil, grease, fuel, etc.) since petroleum products will attack rubber and can cause significant damage to compound characteristics.
2. Thoroughly clean your tires with soap and water.
3. Place a barrier such as plastic, cardboard, or plywood between the tires and the ground surface.
4. Cover your tires to block out direct sunlight and ultra violet rays.
5. Do not store the vehicle in close proximity to steam pipes, electrical generators or animal manure since these accelerate oxidation of the rubber.
6. Make sure your tires are fully inflated with air.
7. When the vehicle is ready to go back into service, inspect the tires for excessive cracking in both the sidewall and tread area and check all tire air pressures. Tires will normally lose about 2 PSI per month so you should expect to find the pressures lower than when you put the vehicle into storage. Re-inflate the tires to the correct air pressure before operation.
Now, about the effects of time:
Yes, rubber compound does slowly change over time, becoming "harder" as it ages. But unless we are talking years, this would be virtually undetectable. However; the most likely effect of storage will be:
1. Flat spotting of the tires from taking a 'set' while sitting in one position for an extended length of time. This 'set' may work itself out of the tires after being put back into operation, but not always. This, of course, would result in a vibration.
2. Tires have waxes and oils specially formulated to protect against ozone damage built into their rubber compounds. When the tire rotates and flexes, these waxes and oils are forced to the tire's surface and are thus able to protect the tire. When a tire is stationary, these waxes and oils are not coming to the surface and thus the tire is at greater risk of ozone damage.
3. Several days of non-use at a time is not nearly as detrimental to tires as long storage periods. The tires would still be operated often enough to avoid excessive 'set' and the waxes and oils are being forced to the tire's surface often enough to provide adequate protection against ozone.
Best regards, Tire Doctor"


BlownSS, ..One last point, a tire resting in air (virtually no weight)....is better then resting as 4 point loads for the weight of your car. If your going to push the car driving next year..ensure good rubber.

[Beehave]

Originally Posted by Roger Ramjet

Assuming that you other Americans have ethanol fuels like US, you may want to consider StarTron fuel treatment. It prevents the green growth from alcohol.

Good point. And ensure you run the car for a bit with the additive..get the whole system, not just sitting in the tank. I typically do 2 treatments...1 a few weeks before storage (depending how much you drive) and then the final day of storage...add your additive and top the tank up.

Thanks Roger Ramjet..your our Hero...ha..ha great cartoon

[sstphoenix]

nice idea rick. i didnt think of the rope.
will help me next spring, cuz i tell you, i aint that good at contortioning myself into the trunk (considering the way the car was parked).
ill try that this year.

[06blownSS]

Thanks Beehave! good tips, many of them I personally don't have to worry about but its nice to know anyways as for putting the car on jacks so the tires dont hold the weight of the car, I heard this is actually bad for the shocks and springs in the suspension even if they do create some flat spots...tires dont last long enough for me to care

thanks for all the replies!

[CloudXTC]

Originally Posted by 06blownSS

Thanks for all the responses guys! I am currently in contact with hugger covers, I'm thinking of getting a colored indoor cover (just to look cool lol) the car will never see winter so an indoor cover should be ok. All this talk about storing is really depressing tho

try storing your car in JULY!... yes... i had to do that...

/sigh

[06blownSS]

Originally Posted by CloudXTC

try storing your car in JULY!... yes... i had to do that...

/sigh

why!?

[Beehave]

Originally Posted by 06blownSS

Thanks Beehave! good tips, many of them I personally don't have to worry about but its nice to know anyways as for putting the car on jacks so the tires dont hold the weight of the car, I heard this is actually bad for the shocks and springs in the suspension even if they do create some flat spots...tires dont last long enough for me to care

thanks for all the replies!

Your welcome, I don't know it all, but I work with a knowledgeable bunch


Yes, I agree about the tires A good spin the first day out in the spring should wear the flat spots off..
In case others are reviewing this thread, I have be told, jacking the car up is a good idea, but supporting it on its frame is a bad one. If you want to get the car off its tires, put the jack stands under the axles and suspension. This insures that the proper loading is maintained on the suspension. If you hang it up in the air on the frame with all of the suspension components dangling at full extension you will put stress on the parts that they were not designed to tolerate.



Over the years, I have done different things. I can not say as one technique is any better, but some certainly has helped me sleep tight.


Cheers, here is hoping for an Indian summer!

[CloudXTC]

Originally Posted by 06blownSS

why!?

on a work project in the philippines at the moment

[kleif]

you run the car for a bit with the additive..get the whole system, not just sitting in the tank. I typically do 2 treatments

[oldfriend]

NO WAY JOSE , i will just keep on driving [till the wheels come off ] WILLIE NELSOM

[CloudXTC]

Originally Posted by oldfriend

NO WAY JOSE , i will just keep on driving [till the wheels come off ] WILLIE NELSOM

[Rockhead]

I drain the engine oil, remove the battery , fill the tires to the max ,park the car on 4 pieces of wood and put a car cover on it.

[Kitty]

Originally Posted by Rockhead

I drain the engine oil, remove the battery , fill the tires to the max ,park the car on 4 pieces of wood and put a car cover on it.

why do you drain the oil rockhead??