Winter Storage November 1st

[BLAKMGIC]

It will be a sad day, but it will soon be time to hibernate for the Winter. I have never stored a car before for the winter. I know there have been some threads about storage, but I was hoping to get some perspective from others storing in Canada (or any other cold climates).

I have the custom cover and the garage with a mosture free rubber pad for it to sit on. I have a few questions that my dealer really seems on the fence about....appreciate any help or advise.

1. Would you change the oil before winter or as soon as it comes out (it's due)?

2. Would you fill the gas tank or use it up....if full, should i add a stabalizer?

3. I worry about the weight of the vehicle sitting in one spot for the next 5 months. I am advised not to lift it or remove the weight from the tires? True?

4. Anything else I should be thinking about before storage?

Thanks again.

[RCLapCar]

DISCLAIMER: I have never stored a car for the winter. The following is what I consider an educated guess.

1. I would change the oil just before storing the car. This should eliminate any contaminants in the oil from settling in the engine.

2. I would fill the tank full. Adding stablilizer would be a must. To me a full tank reduces the room for condensation to rust up the tank. Also seems like a lower change of the fuel going bad if there's more of it there.

3. Leaving it in one spot on the tires would most likely cause damage to the tires, especially if they were to get very cold. Rubber cracks when it's very cold and the flat spot could be permanent. Personally I would at least have it up on axel stands to take the weight off the tires. Even better would be to have it off the suspension as well. This way the springs would not be under constant stress from the weight of the car and should retain their strenght longer.

4. Generally speaking I would say the car should be clean (inside and outside) and all fluids topped up (washer, coolant) or replaced (engine oil, rear diff, maybe tranny).

Again I have never stored a car for the winter but this is what would make sense to be to do.

[BLAKMGIC]

Thanks for weighing in RCLapCar. Yeah the weight on the tires worries me the most.

[Zedder]

Fresh oil, clean, dry car, full tank with stabilzer, battery tender or disconnect battery, don't worry about tires...those days are long gone. Don't start car unless taking it out for a drive to operating temps.

[SSOOCH]

Gas tank is plastic. FYI. But everything else sounds about right.

Here's a really good site with some tips: http://www.buyclassiccars.com/storagetips.asp

[edog]

If storing outside make sure you check for nest before starting. I burnt up a charger in the past. I went out to run it as I did periodically. About twenty minutes later the car was in flames. It appears something built a nest in the engine area. It really sucked. Fire dept had to put it out.

[CloudXTC]

Originally Posted by edog

If storing outside make sure you check for nest before starting. I burnt up a charger in the past. I went out to run it as I did periodically. About twenty minutes later the car was in flames. It appears something built a nest in the engine area. It really sucked. Fire dept had to put it out.

cork the exhaust ends then?

[GPGuy]

Bounce sheets work wonders for making sure no rodents take up residence in your car over the winter months. They work just as well as moth balls without the smell.

[CloudXTC]

i dont like the name of this thread....

thats all i gotta say...

[stratman2SSRS]

I over pressurize the tires to about 50lbs so they don't flatten out. My garage is heated.

[djsnoflake]

Originally Posted by CloudXTC

cork the exhaust ends then?

I use steel wool. Stuff it in the pipes. Works awesome!

[CanadianCamaro]

Few comments on the above and a couple of my own

- I like the idea of taking at least some weight off the suspension/tires. Just generally feel it's better for everything. I've measured however, not a lot of room to work with under there. Some blocks might work better.

- Steal wool works wonders. I do this in the exhaust tips on my sled. But get some of those stainless steel pot scour pads. Then if there is any moisture they dont' leave rust marks.

- Storage location - Concrete floor? Put down some heavy plastic b-4 you park. Even concrete wicks moisture and tends to "sweat" during temp changes. You want to avoid trapping moisture under car/cover. Also presence of mice? Unsure? Leave out traps, bait bars and warfaren just in case. Finaly what's going to be around the car? Take extra procaution to identify what over the next several months coule fall/bump/rub/scratch the car. Think you'll need access to something behind the car mid-winter? Get it out now. Don't try to squeeze down beside the car to get something. Extra padding (like old quilts overtop of cover) can help protect but shouldn't be left on for extended periods as they can trap moisture.

- High quality cover over clean, freshly waxed car

- I intend to put a battery tender on and disconnecting ground strap. But, I picked up a good tip in another thread. Tie a string around the emergency trunk release and run into cabin so you can get the trunk open to reattach battery without having to crawl into the trunk ()

- When storing other toys and lawnmowers etc. I run them out of fuel (actually I "fog" them). But we're hardly going to do this with our Camaros. The thought of leaving the tank full is to eliminate air space and therefore moisture build-up. But as pointed out the plastic tanks eliminate this problem. All gas these days is unstable and will tarnish in a few months. Stabilizer helps but isn't permanent. So rather than letting a full tank of fule sit around and get stale, I prefer to run it down pretty low, add a good dose of stabilizer and take a drive to get it through the system.

- Related topic - what about your insurance. With my company I can take off my collision and liability and just leave fire and theft on. Will save me ~$400/yr. Call your insurance company and describe what you're doing to ensure you're covered.

[cliffy]

We are just now getting into driving weather here in AZ. Time to get on the Harley more as well

[SSOOCH]

Originally Posted by stratman2SSRS

I over pressurize the tires to about 50lbs so they don't flatten out. My garage is heated.

Be careful. There is a specific warning to not over inflate the P-Zero's to over 40lbs.