danimal15

I live in the Chicago area, and I'm thinking about storing my car for the cold season. I'm not going to let it hibernate for six months. I'd drive it maybe once or twice a week, when it's not too snowy out.

I've seen a lot of advice on how to store a car for the entire winter, but does anyone have advice on what steps I should take if I plan to drive once or twice a week? Do I have to do anything special? What if we have a really snowy spell and I go two or three weeks without driving? Would that be a problem for the car?

Doogie

Mine sits for most of the winter (usually by Thanksgiving it is parked with the insurance changed) as I refuse to take it out if there is any sign of salt on the roads. But I do install a battery tender for any down time more than a couple weeks along with keeping tabs on the tire pressure. Otherwise, you should be fine.

danimal15

Thanks. Good to know. Salt is definitely the enemy. I'll let my 5-year old Prius deal with that stuff. I just wish we had a 3-care garage. The Prius will probably be stuck in the driveway all winter, making it hard to shovel.

newpony

I'll be storing my car also for this year and use my 2000 Accord coupe for winter. Since I have to rent a garage not sure if I'll be doing the same next year. I'm only planning to take it for a quick spin once in awhile during winter just to keep everything lube and battery charged. Is a car cover a must even if keep inside a garage?

stangfoeva

What's this 'winter' thing you guys are talking about?

LLZuB

Ill be storing as soon as it gets here...any special things to do for a brand new car being stored?

getting a car cover, going to stabilize the fuel and unhook the battery...what else?

great thread!

Doogie

I hear you as that is why my new house was designed with 2-2 car garages... so our 2 Accords along with the 'Stang all get to stay inside And when it drops below freezing, I fire up the heater.

2011 GT

I'm with you... what's winter? Snow? Salt? Huh? j/k

Not planning of putting it away - it's my daily driver! And there's definitely no snow, ice or salt on our roads down here. The only salt is in the air from the ocean...

cdynaco

No - not with the scenario you describe.

karman

I don't use a car cover, but my garage is heated and fairly clean.
You might want one in a cold or dusty garage.

Fire512

This winter thing doesn't sound very fun.

stangfoeva

no mustang = no fun

Sorry guys, I will add something useful to this thread: I think if you leave it sitting for 2 weeks or less its ok. You can always go warm the engine and then shut it down again..

2k7gtcs

Make sure to open a window or the garage door, because that's how stupid people expire.

Glenn

battery tender is your friend. If your car is going to sit for more than two weeks put a tender on it. Starting your car for a little while every couple of weeks will do it no good unless you drive it for at least 30 to 40 minutes

Big Papi's Pony

Reality has finally hit, I just ordered a ctek 3300 battery charger/maintainer and a coverking mosom2 car cover. I have a clean garage but unheated. Does any recommend stabil to add to the gas ? Do I fill the tank all the way before I put it into hibernation and add the stabil do I even need stabil. I will probably try and start it once a month and let it run for a good 20 minutes in the dead of winter. This is something new for me also, never had the luxury of storing a car over the winter.

First Stang

You should fill the tank, add the Stabil and then drive it around for about 10 minutes to get it all circulated. I have heard that it is better not to start it because of possible condensation? I have stored mine every winter with a battery tender without starting it and it has always started 1st time in the spring. I also over-inflate the tires to about 40 lbs to prevent flatting.

fdjizm

what is this garage queen crap about? I am disappoint.
LMAO!!!!^

kierankelly

Sadly, my house doesn't have a garage. I don't plan on letting the Mustang sit all winter, but if there's any salt on the road, I'll be driving my 94 Explorer.

Anything I should do for it while it's sitting outside?

Liquid

Unfortunately, my car will get here when there is salt on the road. I'd prefer to not drive it through the salt, but if I need to, the car will be run through a touchless car wash that reaches the undercarriage at least once a week. This all depends on snowfall and when salt is applied.

born2run74

Nope, I'll be driving mine all winter, except if there's more than 2 inches of snow on the ground, then it stays in the garage.

200 lbs of sandbags in the trunk helps with traction

Thankfully they don't salt here; but lots of sanding. Clearbra helps with the chips...