Very sad, mine is parked too. Had an inch or so of snow today.

 

Already putting it up for winter? One good thing about living in Texas is that you have almost all year around to enjoy your car.

 

I lived in Texas (Fort Worth) , the extended season is nice but the sun and 105 degree temps during the summer can melt the stripes off the hood. Not to mention the hail damage.

 

Mine's now in hibernation too. Battery out, cover on, tires pumped up and blocked. I still need to switch the insurance over to Storage (roughly 1/10th the cost of all-purpose) but I'll do that on Monday.

I didn't tarp my garage floor under it though.

 

I'm getting read to do the same. Any benefit to the tarp on the floor?

Also, I'm still debating putting the car on jacks to alleviate the rear Drag Radials, or just make sure I jack the car up 2x a month to roll the tires to a different spot.

Thoughts?

 

I've always pumped the tires up close to the max rating 45-50 psi or so for storing cars and never had a problem but not sure if DRs are different in that respect. Rolling the tires isn't a bad idea but 2x a month is a little overkill IMO.

 

Yeah that's what I plan to do too, as far as psi. And yeah 1x a month to roll tires is fine.

 

Two questions for you guys: Do you believe modern radials flatspot like the old poly corded tires used to? Do you think over inflating the tires may prove problematic to them over several seasons?

Not that it matters but for winter storage I've never over inflated the tires or rotated them periodicaly on any car I've owned and the only one to flat spot the tires -until they heat soaked the first time- was a '76 Firebird with nasty old school tires on it.

Just thinkin' outloud is all...

John

 

I over inflated mine... About 60 PSI... I have had customers on more than one occasion roll in with 80 plus asking why their car rides so rough and the tire light is on... Figure it may be a bit much at 60. But I did not have to dig out the air compressor before the first spring drive. And no flat spots. Just let some air out and roll!

 

Modern tires can definitely get flat spots. My 07 Mustang sat on the lot for months, on cold mornings the tires would feel out of balance until they warmed up. I'm don't know how long the car sat in one place but there was a wasp nest behind the fuel door. Not sure about over inflating the tires. I usually wait for a dry, sunny day and take the car for a spin once a month or so.

 

Buddy of mine has his in a heated ware house on jackstands with blocks underneath the wheels just the suspension doesnt slang down all winter.

 

I didn't do a thing to mine and my air pressure was rock solid all winter!

 

The heat is one of the bad things here with weather. Storms get pretty bad as well.

 

I had mine out today. The weather is still relatively mild in NYC for now. It was a bit windy, but sunny and about 60 degrees here. Hopefully I can drive it a few more times before it sits.

 

My Boss and my motorcycles can roll all winter. We have snow, but not much of it, just gotta check that the roads are clean. they do throw down that liquid salt and limestone pea gravel...............................but it is less injurious than that salted sand they threw down in CT, my prior state.

I did notice my tires were a bit slick the other day when it was 35 degrees, just gotta drive it like an SUV, nice and easy!

 

I don't know how you guys do it. I could never leave it sitting for 4-6 months. I like driving it to much. Blizzaks go on soon and will drive right through the winter. Just wish the recaros had heat.

 

This is what i might do. I gotta get some wooden blocks. Hmmmm where to get those. Hmmmm

 

Gathered from Yokohama:

Long term storage, or storage of seasonal vehicles; i.e. RV's, boat trailers and show cars requires special preparations. Storage area should be level, well drained. Care should be taken to avoid prolonged contact with petroleum based substances: oils, fuels and asphalt. Vehicles should be raised on blocks, so weight is removed from the tires.


If blocking is not possible, tire pressure should be increased 25% from inflation required for the loaded vehicle. Vehicles should be moved every three months to prevent flat spotting and ozone cracking at the tire sidewall flex point. Flat spots usually disappear, when the tires warm-up, after a 25+ mile drive. Flat spotting, which occurs on vehicles not moved for six, or more months may not disappear. Tires on vehicles stored out-of-doors, should be protected by opaque covers to prevent damage from sunlight.

Looks like I should change my long term tire storage habits…

John

 

Why wouldn't it work to just locate your jack stands under the suspention? Then it's not necessary to do the jack stands and blocks, right?

John

 

Its going to be in the mid to high 60's and sunny today here in NJ, I'm planning on driving home top down tonight.