HOW TO: Winter Storage

Pelo · 05/20/2004, 10:17 AM

Some people have asked about winter storage for the 3G, so I thought I would do a How to: Let me know if I’ve missed anything. I use to store my bikes this way, and a car is basically no different. Just bigger!

1. Location Selection
A garage is ideal, but if you have to store it outside, look for a nice clean (preferably paved) area. Be sure to pick a place where snowdrifts do not collect over the winter.
If you are storing it outside, be sure you have an outside car cover.

2. Change Oil
Get an oil and filter change.

3. Wash Car
Do a good thorough job and completely dry it.

4. Add Fuel Stabilizer
Adding fuel stabilizer will make sure that no moister within the fuel will freeze. You can buy this at any general automotive store. Simply add it to your tank just before you fill up. Then, drive the car for a good 15 to 20 minutes. Then just before you get it ready for storage, top up the tank as full as possible.

5. Battery Removal
Once you’ve got your car in the chosen location, remove the battery and store indoors. If you like, you can get a trickle charger, which periodically charges the battery when it needs it. It’s not necessary, but a good option. You can pick one up at any general automotive store.

6. Fogging Oil (Optional)
This step is optional, but some people strongly believe in it. The choice is yours. I would recommend it on cars with high mileage / KMs.

Remove spark plugs and spray a little Fogging oil in each cylinder. This keeps any rust from forming. Replace sparkplugs using proper torque. NEVER over tighten. Again, you can buy this at any general automotive store.

7. Raise Car
Place the car on jack stands, making sure the stands are under the frame and not the transmission, sway bars, or anything else that is not suppose to support weight. If you do not have jack stands, 6x6 wooden blocks will do.

8. Remove Tires (Especially if aftermarket)
It’s a good idea to remove the tires and store them indoors. Once you remove them, let out approximately half the air. Store them in a cool dry area. If you are stacking them one on top of another, be sure to place cardboard in-between each rim so you don’t scratch it with the other.

If you don’t want to jack the car up, and you have your stock rims and tires, put them on and place very thick cardboard under each tire. This helps reduce flat spots on the rubber from standing the whole winter. In this case do not deflate the tires at all. In fact, you can over inflate about 5 to 7 pounds because during cold weather, the tire pressure will drop.

If you are storing your car outside and want to still remove the rims and tires, you will need to bag each rotor. Just use a strong plastic bag and some duct tape. Make sure you seal the rotors and calipers up so no snow and junk can get in there.

9. Silicone Pouches (Optional)
If you can get your hands on some silicone pouches, through a few in the car. (3 or 4 in the front and the same in the back)

10. Car Cover
Lastly, cover the car with an outdoor cover if you are storing it outside. If the car will be stored in a garage, a standard car cover will be fine. Then, cross your fingers for a short winter.

Well, I’m sure a missed something, so if anyone wants to add anything, let me know.

05/20/2004, 10:17 AM	#1 (permalink)
Pelo New Ass > * Join Date: May 2003 Vehicle: 2005 350Z Roadster Posts: 499	HOW TO: Winter Storage Some people have asked about winter storage for the 3G, so I thought I would do a How to: Let me know if I’ve missed anything. I use to store my bikes this way, and a car is basically no different. Just bigger! 1. Location Selection A garage is ideal, but if you have to store it outside, look for a nice clean (preferably paved) area. Be sure to pick a place where snowdrifts do not collect over the winter. If you are storing it outside, be sure you have an outside car cover. 2. Change Oil Get an oil and filter change. 3. Wash Car Do a good thorough job and completely dry it. 4. Add Fuel Stabilizer Adding fuel stabilizer will make sure that no moister within the fuel will freeze. You can buy this at any general automotive store. Simply add it to your tank just before you fill up. Then, drive the car for a good 15 to 20 minutes. Then just before you get it ready for storage, top up the tank as full as possible. 5. Battery Removal Once you’ve got your car in the chosen location, remove the battery and store indoors. If you like, you can get a trickle charger, which periodically charges the battery when it needs it. It’s not necessary, but a good option. You can pick one up at any general automotive store. 6. Fogging Oil (Optional) This step is optional, but some people strongly believe in it. The choice is yours. I would recommend it on cars with high mileage / KMs. Remove spark plugs and spray a little Fogging oil in each cylinder. This keeps any rust from forming. Replace sparkplugs using proper torque. NEVER over tighten. Again, you can buy this at any general automotive store. 7. Raise Car Place the car on jack stands, making sure the stands are under the frame and not the transmission, sway bars, or anything else that is not suppose to support weight. If you do not have jack stands, 6x6 wooden blocks will do. 8. Remove Tires (Especially if aftermarket) It’s a good idea to remove the tires and store them indoors. Once you remove them, let out approximately half the air. Store them in a cool dry area. If you are stacking them one on top of another, be sure to place cardboard in-between each rim so you don’t scratch it with the other. If you don’t want to jack the car up, and you have your stock rims and tires, put them on and place very thick cardboard under each tire. This helps reduce flat spots on the rubber from standing the whole winter. In this case do not deflate the tires at all. In fact, you can over inflate about 5 to 7 pounds because during cold weather, the tire pressure will drop. If you are storing your car outside and want to still remove the rims and tires, you will need to bag each rotor. Just use a strong plastic bag and some duct tape. Make sure you seal the rotors and calipers up so no snow and junk can get in there. 9. Silicone Pouches (Optional) If you can get your hands on some silicone pouches, through a few in the car. (3 or 4 in the front and the same in the back) 10. Car Cover Lastly, cover the car with an outdoor cover if you are storing it outside. If the car will be stored in a garage, a standard car cover will be fine. Then, cross your fingers for a short winter. Well, I’m sure a missed something, so if anyone wants to add anything, let me know.