Winter Storage tips?

[MERCULES]

My Marauder will be going into storage for 5 months the first week of November so I would be interested to hear what your best tips are for hibernating a car for the winter.

:bigcry::bigcry:

[jsignorelli]

I remove the serpentine belts and spray WD-40 on all of the bare (polished) aluminum surfaces. (be careful of overspray)
I place two furniture moving blankets over the car.(cushions)
Then a very high quality car cover.
Close and lock the garage. Place mouse poison in several locations on the floor of the garage. Those little guys love cars in storage...die..die!
Set the alarms in the garage.

[mnrauder]

Lots of bounce dryer sheets

[mnrauder]

I pay an apartment building to use their underground heated garage. 72 degrees all winter.

[MERCULES]

I noticed some put small pieces of plywood under the tires when storing their cars. Do you think it is really that useful, I suspect the idea is to prevent flat spots on the tires, I can't see it helping that much, maybe I a m wrong?

[fastblackmerc]

I noticed some put small pieces of plywood under the tires when storing their cars. Do you think it is really that useful, I suspect the idea is to prevent flat spots on the tires, I can't see it helping that much, maybe I a m wrong?

You can always jack the car up and position jack stands on the rear and front suspension to keep the tires off the ground and keep the suspension at the normal height. You don't want the suspension to hang.

Pretty good info here:

http://www.wikihow.com/Store-a-Car

http://www.unclebobs.com/downloads/how-to-prepare-your-car-for-storage.pdf

http://www.autotraderclassics.com/car-article/How+To+Store+Your+Car+for+Wint er-75174.xhtml

[Embassy]

Here's my advice as it seems my MM is in storage more than on the streets:

1. Run fuel stabilizer through the fuel system.

2. Wash/clean the exterior, wheels, etc. You do not want your cover marring/scratching the paint due to contaminants.

3. Inflate tires to max (40-45psi)

4. Place baking soda in a tray in the interior. It prevents odors.

5. Place closet dehumidifiers in the interior.
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51AmsyRVD-L.jpg (http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51AmsyRVD-L.jpg)

6. High-quality indoor car cover.

7. Stuff rags in exhaust (keeps out any unwanted guests).

8. Battery tender.

9. Dryer sheets in trays under the car. Rodents hate the smell or so I hear.

My MM is stored in a residential attached garage. You may need additional items if it is stored on a dirt floor, a barn, semi-open shelter, etc.

[J-MAN]

Embassy has a good list but I would use steel wool in the pipes and put heavy plastic sheeting under the car as a moisture barrier.

[Guittard22]

Here's my advice as it seems my MM is in storage more than on the streets:

1. Run fuel stabilizer through the fuel system.

2. Wash/clean the exterior, wheels, etc. You do not want your cover marring/scratching the paint due to contaminants.

3. Inflate tires to max (40-45psi)

4. Place baking soda in a tray in the interior. It prevents odors.

5. Place closet dehumidifiers in the interior.
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51AmsyRVD-L.jpg (http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51AmsyRVD-L.jpg)

6. High-quality indoor car cover.

7. Stuff rags in exhaust (keeps out any unwanted guests).

8. Battery tender.

9. Dryer sheets in trays under the car. Rodents hate the smell or so I hear.

My MM is stored in a residential attached garage. You may need additional items if it is stored on a dirt floor, a barn, semi-open shelter, etc.




Nice list I keep this in mind when I store mine again in the next 30 days :mad:

[xopher]

Good tips above, many of which I do. I rent a storage unit each Thanksgiving to April Fool's. I put plywood under the car partly as a moisture barrier, but also to catch and monitor any fluid drips. I try to change the oil, partially fill the gas tank and then disconnect the positive battery terminal. I cut up a bar of Irish Spring and leave chunks near the wheels and on a few flat places in the motor bay. I set about 8 mousetraps, near the wheels and in the corners of the garage. I've never used fuel stabilizer, but I intentionally take it easy on the first tank in April. My biggest issues with storage have come with bad walls, or poor moisture movement. As with just about anything you store, water is usually your biggest enemy.

[Vortech347]

Some of you guys do very weird stuff.

5 months you'll just want to place the car on jackstands so that the tires don't get flat spotted.
Remove the battery and place it on a battery tender $5 haborfrieght works fine.
Fill the fuel tank full and add some stabil.

DONE.


Why would you over-inflate the tires?

Both my stangs take a winter break usually its 4-5 months. This is all I do and never have an issue.

You're tucking it away for a few months, not preparing it for embalming at king tuts tomb.

[88LTDCV351]

There are things you can get that prevent flat spots on the tires. Tire Cradles and Flatstoppers.