storing away for the winter!
 

What would be helpful tips in storing my car away for the winter? Does it have to be a climate controlled garage also?

No you dont need a climate controlled garage but you do need it to be dry.
Heres what I do: 1- clean car inside and out wax etc.
2- fill tank and add stabile or other brand of fuel stabilizer. Make sure you run the engine to get the stabilizer through the whole system.
3- pump the tires up to 50 psi - keeps from flat spotting if not using jack stands. If using jack stands make sure they are under the suspension so as its not hanging.
4- remove battery to keep from freezing or connect a battery tender to it.
5- cover and forget till spring.

I do exactly what goatnut specified. Car is stored in an unheated barn from the end of October until the end of april and I live in Maine (long cold winter). Never had a problem.

I feel a bit guilty;

All I do is part them and disconnect the batteries and I start the cars with AC once midwinter, cars are in nice dry heated garages though. Fresh oil in the spring.

The only problem I ever had with bad gas is from years rather than months of storage.

[QUOTE]What would be helpful tips in storing my car away for the winter? /QUOTE]
Send it to Australia its nicccceeee and warm here.
Time to put the top down and cruise..... Sorry guys

I also do the same as goatnut but I also added a "car jacket". It zips up like a sleeping bag for the car. Car goes in and comes out the same,no cobwebs, dust, mice, etc. Comes with reusable desiccant bags to absorb moisture. Also adds another layer of protection if you have other things in the garage (like children) that may bump into the car. Heres a link to one site that has them. http://www.autoanything.com/car-covers/69A1798A0A0.aspx.

PS: after re-reading this it sounds like I have a vested interest in them..I don't , just happy with the product after 6 years of use.

[QUOTE=Aus Goat;4155135]Not fair would be nice to have year round warm weather.

I'm a little crude with my storage I guess. I drive it into the garage and leave it as is until next spring. I might throw the charger on the battery once a month for a few hours if the voltage reads low on a meter.

I like to keep it ready to go as I've been known to take it for a quick spin mid winter as long as there is no salt or snow on the roads. People give some interesting looks when someone is driving a 40 year old car with the top down in mid January...

Yea what he said, going for a cruise over xmas Aus Goat, I'll have to put the a/c on....LOL

Seriously thou, it must suck having to pack away your pride and joy for 6 months a year.

Anyone ever squirt in motor oil through the spark plug holes to keep the piston top and rings oiled? A few of the old timers told me to do this and had been for years, first start up had a bit of oil for a minute but that's it.

Me and my Goat live in upstate S.C. Don't have really cold winters. Low usually in the 40's, although we do have cold snaps into the 20's sometimes. Daytime high usually in mid 60's. No salt on the roads that I am aware of,although the Highway Dept will salt the bridges sometimes. I still drive mine in the winter and stay away from bridges, just not as much as summer. My son and his family live in the Florida panhandle and I have made a trip down there in my Goat, no problems at all. Although my wife was following in her car because she stays with him longer than I do. I dearly love my grandkids, but about 4 or 5 days in same house is all I can enjoy.

That would be for long term storage not needed for 6 mths or less. Although I do prime my engines before starting in the spring.

I'm with Andy- I just drive 'em into the garage and leave them until I need to move them again. I'll often move the cars around in the winter to get them in better locations for working on, so they usually don't sit for more than a month or so. I will keep driving them as long as the roads are clean without sand and salt.

all the above and one more. I do check my anti feeze with a hydrometer to make sure its ok.
Battery tenders are great. Never had a problem with mine.
christmas eve a few years ago Mom and I went for a long ride. Met and talked with a couple out driving thier 57 t-bird. Just looking at christmas lights. Picked up some BBQ ohh that was a great night. rip mom.

patrick