Car Storage
 

I know adric asked this last year, but what are some things to keep in mind when storing the car? I know take out the battery, fuel stabilizer, dryer sheets in some spots to prevent mice, steel wool too?

I just want to compile a list this weekend. Thanks.

Heres how me and my dad always store cars

Inflate tires to max, I always do stabil and top it off although he doesnt always do it and never a problem. Make sure the last time you drive it before you shut it off to get the SOB hot, like dont just drive it around the block try to burn as much moisture off as possiable.

I always just unhook negative on battery I never take it out and never have a problem after 4 mths but alot of ppl take out and charge it in spring or so.

Ive never done dryer sheets but do open box of baking soda to absorb moisture

I plug the exahust pipes with rags to prevent mice from goin in but honestly prly not an issue but doesnt hurt

I also put my climate control on cold and on the floor when i turn the car off so the vent is open and air can flow.

Dont cover the car unless its inside, because unless you got a real nice cover when the wind blows on it its gonna scratch and mark up your paint.

Dont just start the car to drive it around the block in the middle of winter either.

sweet, thanks for the tips.

by getting it hot, you mean just take it for one last 'spirited drive'?

wow you really do it all to store your car, i was thinknig about putting it away for storage but i can find another car cheap enough for a dd

wash it real good inside and out, dryer sheets won't hurt a thing, I like to over inflate the tires a little, but that's all personal preference

I know its not necessary to put it up on jackstands, but Im probably going to.

Here is what I do.

-Clean it all up, take everything that isnt part of the car out of the interior.
-Put a box of baking soda inside.
-Check Anti-freeze.
-Fill the tank, add fuel stabilizer
-Put it on all fours with jack stands.
-Remove battery
-Cover intake and exhaust with plastic backs and rubber bands.
-I throw the car cover down, then tarp it then throw blankets on top of that, even though its inside people like to bump into it and **** magicly gets droped on it so I play it safe a lil more.
-Kiss it goodnight and close the door.

I don't like jackstands for storage, it can make the springs sag, or my favorite rust form where the stands touch and rot the thing out (bought a cutlass that I had to replace the frame from that)

Yeah paar spirited drive. I forgot clean the car inside and out. IMO jackstands is bad for the suspension and unnecessary. Ive never had a tire flat spot either. I had a tire that leaked and when i went to take the car out of storage it was flat like dead flat and had been like that most the winter, filled it up and was fine. I wouldnt worry about the tires at all just leave it on the ground

ya just make sure you have enough pressure in all the tires something like 40 psi is fine, if you know you have one that leaks, get it fixed before you store it, or just keep filling it up every so often, not a bad idea to start the car, let it idle at least for 15-20 minutes, drive it around if you want. but ya jackstands is unnecessary.

see anytime i start the car if its been sitting i let it idle long enough to warm up then drive it IMO starting it and letting it idle then putting it right back is bad cause of moisture

I probably wont drive it at all. No insurance, and I dont feel like getting stuck.

yeah id just leave it all winter then and not even both starting it. we let the vette sit all winter novemeber through april usually.

overinflate tires a bit and unhook battery and in the spring it always fires right up

wow you guys go through a lot to store it...I just wash it, clean it out, make sure the gas tank is full, disconnect the negative and throw my car cover on it and call it good. I didnt store it last winter because my grandparents visited and had to use an extra vehicle. but it may be the same again, no biggie though as it mostly just rains all winter.

If you feel concerned about the jackstands, just put them under the suspension so its not hanging- but with radial tires there isn't a concern of flatspotting the tires.

I usually try to find some metal cans that fit over the exhaust tips- socks and plastic bags mice can easily chew thru. I usually leave the windows down just a touch- enough to let air circulate some. If you are extremely go pick up some silicate that absorbs moisture and put it in the interior.

And also like was said, only start it come spring time when you want to drive it. Just starting the engine and not driving it can lead to condensation which isn't a good thing...