Winter Storage

SpikeGT · 09-19-2005, 04:02 PM

I'm gonna be putting the stang in hibernation for the winter in a month or two.[:@] Is there anything specific I should do to store it properly? Drain fluids etc? What do the rest of you storing your rides do? Thanks in advance.

05SonicBlue · 09-19-2005, 04:16 PM

since i'll be experiencing my first winter in 11years, i'm curious about this, too. i was planning on filling the tank with gas, getting the oil changed and driving around the neighborhood at least 2x a month when the streets were clear. is that not enough?

sowaxeman · 09-19-2005, 05:17 PM

Do a search - there are several threads floating around about this. One in particular is in the STICKY of the General Tech section.

The best thing you can do is just put a cover over it, and drive it at least once a month to keep the fluids and all moving parts moving. So watch your local weather, pick a sunny day - and either drive it to work or take it for a short cruise. If you can do this once a month then there is no reason to worry about STORAGE issues IMO.

If you are going to STORE it, then I would recommend changing the oil prior, raising it up on jack stands to avoid flat spotting the tires, fill the tank up and add some stabilizer (along with running it for a few miles to get it into the fuel system), and putting a trickle charger on it once a month for a couple days.

algregory · 09-19-2005, 07:54 PM

Full tank of gas with stabilizer. Fresh oil. On jack stands. Heated garage would be fun. Or, put a lightbulb in the vehicle, always on. I haven't stored a car, us California people don't need to. However, look into a "Battery Tender" plug into the battery and forget it. Us motorcycle people find them to be extremely good. Cost about $40.

STANMAN · 09-19-2005, 08:35 PM

How about those little pads you can park on to keep the tires from flat spotting? I am in WI, so I will start my car every week in winter and let it warm up, but there is NO WAY I am driving it, salt everywhere. So, if anyone knows what I am speaking about, drop a link, as I need some.

algregory · 09-19-2005, 11:32 PM

Thing that bothers me about starting the car up, letting it idle for bit, even fast idle, is that condensation happens. It takes somewhere around 20 minutes for your car, being driven, for the oil to reach operating temperture, the point where impurities start getting burnt out of the oil, vs, the early running which alows impurities into the oil. Meanwhile, how long does it take to dry out/heat up the exhaust system alll the way to the exits?

I followed the don't start it with my last motorcycle, an '86, it went to a new home in late '03. It still had the original exhaust, no rust, still sounded "right".