Winterization Recommendations
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 0
From: Santee CA
Originally Posted by davidm_comp
Thanks for the mice advice. I personally have had negative experiences with mice posion in the past (dog got into it once and had to give him some hydrogenperoxide to make him throw it up, and once it killed the mouse, only after he found a nice home in the dash of my minivan). My grandpa also told me to put fabric softner sheets in the car everywhere to keep them out, but I never heard that anywhere before, guess it can't hurt. I will also try the mothballs, again, can't hurt any. Got a few stray cats that come and go, so hopefully they like the taste of mice. Maybe I put a few dozen traps all around the car too, kill the mice before they get in.
Thanks for the tips guys,
David
Thanks for the tips guys,
David
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 286
Likes: 1
From: AZ
Originally Posted by 71rdster
Move to Florida, or Texas or Arizona and keep on driving it.
Orville
Orville
http://media.putfile.com/IMAG008783
Just imagine the fun it will have while you're back home.
Back in Illinois, I had similar problems each winter with moles, rodents, etc. getting into everything every winter. Traps, Cats, Smart Dogs, Air Rifles, and big sheets of shrink wrap, dryer sheets, spray foam, all have their place. It will depend on how secure the building is and how secure you want the car to be and/or still be functional.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 356
Likes: 0
From: Glacier County mt
Originally Posted by davidm_comp
I live way out in the country on a farm where the mice and shrews like to eat apart your wiring, make nests in your airclearers, give birth under your seats, and like to crap in your dash (giving you a reason to take it apart in the spring). My question is, what, if anything, can be done to prevent them or deter them from infesting my car.
Thanks,
David
Thanks,
David
1) get an ultrasonic rodent repeller (about $100) in your garage.
2) Get an old margarine tub and punch ten holes in the lid. Fill the tub with moth flakes, put the tub in side your vette. The only downside is your first drive next spring must be done with the windows down...
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
From: Naperville Illinois
Thanks for all the good suggestions. I never thought about mice being a problem. I especially like the recommendation to move to a warmer climate so I could enjoy my car year around. 
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
From: Naperville Illinois
Originally Posted by Tele_Man
Forgot to mention in the above message...
I change the oil in November to 10W-40. During the summer months I use 20W-50.
I change the oil in November to 10W-40. During the summer months I use 20W-50.
We get too much salt on the roads in Illinois to take a drive anytime between first snow and about mid April when we get some good flushing rains.
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Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 30,948
Likes: 459
From: Wilmington N C
St. Jude Donor '14 thru '26
I too keep 'em "stored" for the most part in the winter. But, like others, I start 'em up every month and run 'em for about 15 or 20 minutes. I can't take 'em outside, usually, so, I just run 'em in the garage. I don't have much space to even move 'em back and forth a little, but, I do get them to creep up about 4 or 5 feet. Just enough to get some minor rotation to the tires to avoid "flat" spots. I don't use stabolizer or trickle chargers. I do fill up the tanks ahead of "storage". Ensure the anti-freeze is still good. Top off all fluids. Spread mice traps around, and check regularly. Ditto mice bait trays. If you get a freak warm day, take it out on the drive to get better movement and sealing on everything. Don't take it out on the streets though until there has been a real hard rain to wash off the leftover salt dust. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,351
Likes: 75
From: Tampa Bay FL
Originally Posted by Tele_Man
I don't anything particularly different in the winter months.
I wait for a dry day over 40F degrees and fire it up and take it for a 30 minute ride. Get it up to highway speed for part of that time.
In between these rides, I simply disconnect the battery to prevent needless drain.
That's it. Nothin' special. I don't believe in storing it in a coccoon for 6mths.
I wait for a dry day over 40F degrees and fire it up and take it for a 30 minute ride. Get it up to highway speed for part of that time.
In between these rides, I simply disconnect the battery to prevent needless drain.
That's it. Nothin' special. I don't believe in storing it in a coccoon for 6mths.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,000
Likes: 22
From: Boulder Creek California
Last edited by LiveandLetDrive; Oct 20, 2005 at 07:07 PM.