I worked out a deal with a pal to store my vert in his garage over the winter. I figured I'd ask fellow owners what is the best way to put up a car for a few months - probably Dec thru April. Besides the usual top off the tank with fuel stabilizer and disconnect the battery, what's left? A moisture trap or two in the front & back seats? Do I have to worry about flat spotting the tires over 4 or 5 months?

 

Heated Garage.
Battery minder/tender.

 

Battery minder/tender, a must have for sure !

 

A battery maintainer (available for $18 at Wal-Mart / Target / Meijer), some crystalline kitty litter in cloth sacks to sap up any moisture/odors, and overfill your tires, but keep them below sidewall max rating, to prevent flat spotting.

 

I would say if you can get your tires off the ground do it. Take your battery home with you and keep the tender on it there.

 

Why remove the battery? I just leave it in with the baterry tender hooked up.

 

Moved to the car care section. You will also find several winter storage tips in this section.

 

If its a heated garage leave it. If not there's no reason to leave it in freezing temps if you don't have too.

 

Same here, and haven't experienced any problems. Despite having an unheated garage.

 

This is what I do every Winter, Canadian Winter, 7 months Storage.


The Mustang is going into hibernation for 7 months.
Have a 10X20 Coverall with a Gravel Floor, 10 in x 16 Ft planks to put the Car on, AC power and a 1-Watt Battery Maintainer.

This is what I did for Storage;
Clean, Vacuum and Wax, Buff and especially no Watermarks.
Remove all MP3 discs and manually turn off Shaker 500.
Full Tank of Gas mixed with Stabilizer.
Inflate Tires to 35 lbs..
Oil changed.
Battery Maintainer attached to Battery.
Air Filter inlet Blocked with Pot Scrubbers and a few MothBalls in Filter Box.
Sonic Rodent Repeller plugged in under vehicle.
Moth ***** under the Car .
Crack the windows slightly, so not pressing Seal.
Crack the Top so it is just loose but fabric is Tight. (Just release the front Clamps.)
Place Drier Fabric Softeners in trunk, and in Passenger Compartment, The smellier the better.
Car Cover on (removed Antenna).

Check Battery every Month, Battery Maintainer will keep it at 12.9 volts with Computer and alarms working.
Do Not Start the car until your ready to take it out of Storage. Starting with cold Oil drained to the bottom of the Engine is BAD.


Results from last Year, Car was ready to go, Computer still running and when I cranked the engine it fired and ran in about 2 seconds. Went for a slow ride about Town just to Check. Then drove 15 Miles at speed to the Dealer to Change Oil and a 40 point Check. Battery tested good.
This will be the 4th winter for this OE Battery and Tires.
Deflate Tires to 32 lbs.

 

The biggest thing is to have the oil and filter changed before you store the vehicle for the winter and then change the oil and filter in the spring time as soon as you take it out of the garage. In my case when I decide that winter is over the mustang does directly to Lubex for and oil, filter and fuel filter change. Changing the oil before storage and after storage is the best thing you can do for your mustang.

 

I have heard different things about changing the oil when you take it out. Is it necessary when you put fresh oil in it when you store it?

 

I pull the liability and collision insurance coverage (keep comp though) and store my Bullitt every winter, usually from sometime in mid-October to around mid-March. I keep it in my unheated, uninsulated, detached garage and all I do is fill it with gas before storing it, add about 5-6 more psi to the tires, and put a cover on it. If I remember to, I roll it forward or backwards a few feet, and I sometimes start it up once or twice in the 4-5 months it is stored, but I have never needed/used a battery tender (original battery) or fuel stabilizer. If I was doing more long-term storage than just 4-5 months, I'd definitely take additional steps, like using fuel stabilizer, removing the battery, etc. My tires do ride a little rough when I remove it from storage, but after a few miles they get a little heat in them and smooth out, whatever "flat-spotting" they have is only temporary.

 

What I don't remember seeing covered anywhere is do you use the the e-brake while in winter storage? I use a portable garage on a bit of an incline. I would hate to store with the brake on and have problems with it getting stuck in the spring.

 

I wouldn't keep the ebrake pulled for months at a time, the potential for having it get stuck due would scare me off. I'd just leave it in gear, and maybe use wheel chocks if it is too much of an incline for some extra security.

 

The incline measures .11 on my gforce meter when parked there. It would roll though into a heavily wooded area, not to mention the dropoff it would encounter first! Wouldn't be pretty.

Chock blocks are a good idea. I never thought of that! I'll have to get a set between now and November! Thanks for the idea!

 

You must change the oil before putting it away.
The oil is full of contaminants.
I personally don't change the winter oil until I have driven some miles.
My last car was 30 years old when I sold it and it still ran like new.
I do have a heated garage though.

 

I recall having this conversation over how to best store my boat for the winter. I understand changing the oil before putting the car away (as it's full of acids & contaminants) but why would you change the oil in the spring again after not driving the car all winter?

 

I just don't see any reason to subject a battery to freezing temp if you don't have to. Thats all. Batteries tend to loose something in freezing temps. I realize you will have a tender on it so I am sure all will be fine. Just my one cent worth