How do I store my car for the winter?
How do I store my car for the winter? I'm moving to Vermont for the winter and will have to store my car for about 5 months. I have a temp controlled garage to keep it in and a high quality cover but what else do I need to do?
Thanks, Tim.
Thanks, Tim.
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From: Mentor, Ohio
Re: How do I store my car for the winter? I fill up my gas tank and then dump in a container of fuel stabilizer. I then air up my tires to 44psi, and park it on large old blanket so there won't be any moister under the car.
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Joined: Oct 2002
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From: F.H,Waterford,Port Huron, MI
Re: How do I store my car for the winter? I like to also find 3 hiden ways to disable my car so no one steals it (for when I am out of town). and if the it is in a garage then crack the window a little! But I a crazy!!
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From: Mi./Al.
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From: Chicago Land
Re: How do I store my car for the winter? I just pour the fuel stabilizer in a full tank of gas, uppen the tire pressure, start the car for about 30 minutes once a week and toss a cover on it. Never had a problem with it.
TECH Resident
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Mentor, Ohio
Re: How do I store my car for the winter? Starting the car and letting it run for 30 min is bad. Once you shut it off for storage leave it off. Disconnect the battery, remove it and every now and then put it on a trickle charge. By starting the car and letting it run for 30 mins you are making the engine build up a lot of moisture and the moisture will reside in the motor, oil and exhaust. If you are going to start the car you need to drive it. Even letting it idle for 1 hour won't get the vehicle up to proper temperature to burn off these moistures. This is a common mistake, don't let it burn you too. Park it and leave it is my motto.
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Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Canada
Re: How do I store my car for the winter? 99Mongoose is absolutely correct. Do not start the car during storage unless you plan to drive it. Also, I don't think anyone mentioned, you should change the oil just before storing the car. I keep my battery on an Autometer battery maintainer which keeps it charged all winter long and avoids removing and installing it all the time. This way you can even leave the alarm on if you like. I also like to keep the carcover on even in the garage so it looks freshly waxed by the time spring rolls around. Just start it & go YEEHA......... <img border="0" alt="[Burnout]" title="" src="graemlins/burnout.gif" />
<small>[ November 27, 2002, 05:46 PM: Message edited by: ND4SPD ]</small>
<small>[ November 27, 2002, 05:46 PM: Message edited by: ND4SPD ]</small>
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Staging Lane
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 66
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From: Sauk Village, Ill
Re: How do I store my car for the winter? I do everything that was previously mentioned plus I cap off my exhaust tips with some tennis ***** that I cut the tips off so it fits over the exhaust tips so no moister and no critters (mice, rats, whatever) get in there. i also fill a plate up with some baking soda and sit it on the floor of the car to draw in whatever mositer is present. Crack your window a bit before covering the care. I also put wood under the car to keep moister from coming up. i also use a trickle charger on the battery. Hope that helps.
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From: Canada
Re: How do I store my car for the winter? </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by 01T/AWS6:
<strong>Thank you very much you had alot of ideas I never thought of, Should I have a full tank of gas?
Thanks,
Tim.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Tim, I don't think it is necessary to have a full tank if you are parked in a garage. The reason for filling the tank is to prevent moisture from forming on the inside of the tank walls. I think the tanks are plastic which would minimize condensation/corrosion. I don't fill mine as I am in a heated garage and I prefer to fill up with a fresh tank in the spring. If you do fill up the tank, be sure to ad stabalizer or you will be running stale gas come spring.
Hope that helps! <img border="0" alt="[Fluffy]" title="" src="graemlins/fluffy.gif" />
<strong>Thank you very much you had alot of ideas I never thought of, Should I have a full tank of gas?
Thanks,
Tim.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Tim, I don't think it is necessary to have a full tank if you are parked in a garage. The reason for filling the tank is to prevent moisture from forming on the inside of the tank walls. I think the tanks are plastic which would minimize condensation/corrosion. I don't fill mine as I am in a heated garage and I prefer to fill up with a fresh tank in the spring. If you do fill up the tank, be sure to ad stabalizer or you will be running stale gas come spring.
Hope that helps! <img border="0" alt="[Fluffy]" title="" src="graemlins/fluffy.gif" />
