Car storage prep...what do you do?

WuNgUn

WuNgUn

New member
I'm putting the car away this winter, indoors...
It has a nice buildup of carnuba on it currently, but what other things should be done to ensure proper, safe storage?
Thanks...
 
If you are storing it for the winter. I would recommend a fuel stabilizer and I think they are called a battery buddy, its kinda like a trickle charger.
When I used to do my boat I also used some Marvel mystery oil down the cylinders. It smoked a bit when I first restarted her in the spring, but she started right up :)
 
WuNgUn said:
Possibly...
It might also be stored outdoors, so...
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well...if it's going to be indoors but in an active garage, forget using a cover ... you'll end up with more micromarring than it will do for protection ... a good trick I also learned a while back was to put down ply wood under the vehicle, this helps reduce moisture under the vehicle ...

outdoors.. you might consider a 10x20 tent that has 4 walls...
 
I have used a cover indoors and outdoors for many years and never had any issues with Micro marring on eihter vehicle. As long as you use a top end cover and not a cheapy you will be fine.
 
Stabilizer in the gas and drive it every few weeks. :bigups
Been doing that with the Corvette for over 20 years. :)
 
97F1504x4 said:
I have used a cover indoors and outdoors for many years and never had any issues with Micro marring on eihter vehicle. As long as you use a top end cover and not a cheapy you will be fine.
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a high end cover that fits perfect and has a good soft liner is great but unfortunately most people will not spend the $300-$400 for one :(

CharlesW said:
Stabilizer in the gas and drive it every few weeks. :bigups
Been doing that with the Corvette for over 20 years. :)
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that and the Battery Tender :bigups
 
Poorboy said:
a high end cover that fits perfect and has a good soft liner is great but unfortunately most people will not spend the $300-$400 for one :(



that and the Battery Tender :bigups
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That is true. Which is why I said a High End cover. But I'm not most people. :dnaughty I had a custom cover made for my F150 and it cost me around 500.00
And the one for the Mustang cost me a tad bit over 300.00
 
97F1504x4 said:
That is true. Which is why I said a High End cover. But I'm not most people. :dnaughty I had a custom cover made for my F150 and it cost me around 500.00
And the one for the Mustang cost me a tad bit over 300.00
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I know... I have a friend who sells them and for every high end cover he sells, he sells 100 marginal ones :notme:
 
What I do with my show car for winter is park it in my back garage that I use for long term storage of several vehicles.
I keep it at 45 all winter so if the battery runs down it will not freeze.
In the spring the battery is low but not dead.
I put a small charger on it for a few hours and fire it up and get it ready to go to a show..
Been doing that for years. I do change the oil before putting it up for winter

People put them on jack stands put oil in the cylinders and stuff in the fuel and all sorts of things I just park mine.

The worst thing is to start it every few weeks this will put water in the oil and cause engine wear.

Cummins did a test and they say that when you tear one of their engines down at 600,000 miles only 20 percent of the wear is from the 600,000 miles the 80 percent is from the engine running a few seconds without oil pressure at start up.
I never stat mine until I'm ready to get out in the spring.

If it makes you feel better to do all those thing go for it but for a few months I just park it. :D
 
black bart said:
Been doing that for years. I do change the oil before putting it up for winter

The worst thing is to start it every few weeks this will put water in the oil and cause engine wear.
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The oil change is a good idea since the old oil will have some contaminants that might cause some corrosion.

I wouldn't just start a vehicle to start it. I take mine out and drive it for several miles before putting it away again. Several miles being in the 20 to 30 range, maybe more if the weather is good. :)
 
CharlesW said:
The oil change is a good idea since the old oil will have some contaminants that might cause some corrosion.
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Charles, when you store your car do you do it with a full tank of fuel so that condensation doesn't build up in the tank?
 
jaybs02 said:
Charles, when you store your car do you do it with a full tank of fuel so that condensation doesn't build up in the tank?
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This is another advantage to keeping some heat in the garage.
When you maintain a constant temp you do not have condensation problems.
You can keep it at a low temp just as long as it is constant.
 
jaybs02 said:
Charles, when you store your car do you do it with a full tank of fuel so that condensation doesn't build up in the tank?
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Car, boat, motorcycle, any power equipment, I store with a full tank of gas with gas stabilizer added. I run the engine long enough to distribute some treated gas through the fuel system. My concern is carburetor jets plugging up rather than the gas "going bad".
I do use what they call a "Fogging oil" in the intake of the boat that is supposed to aid in coating the upper cylinders to prevent rust and corrosion.
 
When we put my dad's 65 gto and 93 cobra away for the winter, we fill the gas tank, add fuel stab., and remove the battery. The garage is not heated.
 
ernman said:
When we put my dad's 65 gto and 93 cobra away for the winter, we fill the gas tank, add fuel stab., and remove the battery. The garage is not heated.
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put some ply wood down on the garage floor it really helps :rockon
 
  • 1.Fill the gas tank just before you park the auto for the season. (This will help prevent moisture from condensing inside the tank). If you are not planning to visit your auto during the storage, be sure to add a good fuel stabilizer.
  • 2.Before you put your auto away for the season give it a good wash and wax job. It is VERY IMPORTANT to always store your auto clean. Don't forget to wash off the undercarriage. After all, that's were most of the rust starts. A good coat of wax on the auto will protect the finish against stains if something happens to get on it during the time it is being stored.
  • 3.Change your oil and oil filter. Fresh oil will protect the internal parts of your engine better because there are less hydro-carbons and other contaminates in fresh oil. If you would rather change your oil in the spring, be sure to do it as soon as possible after you get the car out of storage.
  • 4.Check and fill all major fluids, including brake fluid, clutch fluid reservoir . Also be sure your antifreeze is clean and fresh to avoid the cooling system from freezing or possible corrosion.
  • 5.If you store your auto off of the ground, (on jack stands), the stands should be under the suspension. If not, damage to the shocks and other suspension parts can occur.
  • 6.Remove the battery and keep it charged. When storing a battery you should keep at as close to room temperature as possible and it should be kept off of the floor so that it doesn't discharge. Store it on a wooden shelf or on a large block of wood (a piece of 4x4) several inches off of the floor to keep it from discharging.
  • 7.Put steel wool or rolled up scotch-brite pads in the tailpipes and also in the air-intake openings to keep mice from using your car as a food pantry
  • 8.Do NOT treat inside surfaces with Armor-All (or similar) products before storing your auto. They contain a lot of water and chemicals that can encourage mildew and mold.
  • 9.Pull the interior vent levers to close.
  • 0.Put a moisture-absorber, like baking soda, inside the auto to keep mildew from starting inside the autos interior. (From mildew come mold, from mold comes a new interior). You can also use Activated Charcoal from the pet store, put it in a contaner where you can spread it out, and let it sit in the auto.
  • 11.Mouse traps or poisons placed around the car is also a good idea. Place them around the auto every several feet. Leave your sun visors down so it is more difficult for mice to get into the headliner if they do get into the auto.Place scented drier sheets or bars of soap placed in an open plastic butter tub or coffee can in the trunk and front and back floorboards work great and they smell a lot better too.
 
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