Charley Hoyt

For people in cold climates that put their cars away for the winter... what preparations do you make before storage? Do you put a stabilizer in the fuel? Which is best?

Thanks,
Charley

J.Moore

I don't put mine away for the winter. No fuel stab or anything different other than battery tender on it every 7-10 days. Southern Ohio winters haven't been terrible the last 10 years so I am able to drive it thru Dec, Jan, and Feb at least once a month while the streets are clear. Really no different than summer prep.

About 15 years ago I "winter prepped" my 65 for 1 winter. Didn't drive it from Nov thru Feb and ended up having to replace all 4 brake calipers and pads. Carb got all funky with stale gas, so since then I make it a point to DRIVE the things at least once a month thru winter.

c6miller

2003 convertible. Clean and detail. Fill tank, add Techron and fuel stabelizer. Connect Sears battery trickle charger. Place on flat-stoppers, cover with soft sheets. Start it every few weeks let it get up to operating temp.

Patman

I do the exact same thing up here in Toronto, we haven't had a really bad winter since 1999. That year I absolutely could not drive my sports car (a 98 Firebird Formula) because we just kept getting one snowstorm after the other and the roads never got dry. But every other winter since has had numerous opportunities to drive. I think leaving a car sitting for 3-4 months does more harm that good. If there is any chance to take it out every couple of weeks, do it! It makes the winter months go by faster too.

Torchsport

Seafoam.

919cw313

How long does it take to get oil temp high enough? Must take forever at idle.

Patman

If you're not going to drive it, don't start it.

windyC6

I don't start mine if it's under about 30 degrees. Might take about 15 - 20 minutes to reach normal temp. I was always under the impression that cars ran hotter while idling due to the fact of no air flowing through the rad....?.....

919cw313

^ IDK either, I've never tested it and don't see the need if it's put away for just a few months. What I do know is that with my car the coolant gets to "normal" wayyy before the oil ever reaches 180 or higher. And I suspect some people may think just getting the coolant temp up is the same as reaching operating temperature.

Hebebad

I was told by a very knowledgeable mechanic many years ago that occasionally starting a car in winter storage is like giving your wife an occasional punch when she is sleeping. Nothing good can come from that. Idling a car only gets the engine warmed up enough to cause a lot of condensation to occur as it cools down especially in the electronics and the exhaust system. So leave her alone and let her sleep in peace.

Don-Vette

My Fall ritual:

: clean car inside and out (especially the wheel barrels) and wax it.

: change the oil and filter(usually a couple weeks before storage while weather is still warm)

:fill gas tank with a bottle of Sta-Bil Storage (8ozs. for up to 20 gallons) drive around for a few miles to circulate through the lines.

:park car in garage and pump my tires to 38lbs.(non RF)

:connect battery tender and put cover on

That is it until Spring

My garage it heated and serves as my cigar mancave, so the Temp. never goes below 68deg.

hubes

I fill the car with fuel, add some stabilizer, wash it, change the oil, remove the battery so I can put it on the trickle charger once a month, cover it and don't start it until the spring.

AOC6Z

Sta-bil in the tank & battery tender & cover the car

phileaglesfan

In Utah I'm even able to get the Vette out a couple times a month during the winter, even if just down the street. It is actually therapy to get thru winter.

RobLo

Not an answer to your question I know but...I don't winterize either the Vette or the Harley and you see where I live. I winterized the bike once and I could swear it was 60* every day that winter so I said never again. I just make sure to get each out at least once a month for an nice (minimum) 50 mile run, NO starting and idling in the garage. The car is easy to run, it has heat, the bike a little more difficult but still manageable. Good Luck!

Brandon619

I don’t, live in always sunny San Diego.

Sabre34

No thread hijack here, but a cigar man cave is excellent! (BTW, I have taken the top off my car and hope it doesn’t go back on until next May!).

windyC6

Yea....theres a lot of forum members that agree with that scenario. I'll bite on it just a little bit. The coolant may get hotter slightly sooner than the oil gets up, but I wouldn't think by enough to cause damage like some like to insinuate. As far as the coolant getting up before the motor reaches "normal" (please note...normal) operating temp, I was under the impression that most sensors required to run at "normal" operating temps read off of the coolant......

449er

Patman, Tell me why leaving a car sitting in the garage for 3-4 months causes it any harm? I have done this for years now ( along with my boat ) with no issues if you properly treat the fuel/coolant/battery systems

Nokones

Winterizing a car in Orange County, CA - Seriously? Other than getting some snow on top of Saddleback the only other snow that Orange County will see is the snow on the Matterhorn at Disneyland.

Maybe this winter they will be issuing a Sig-Alert for snow on PCH and chains will be required.