winter storage

[Russell]

Well after doing the math I have decided to put the car away for the winter. With gas prices being so high and my insurance on the car it makes more sense to park the car for the winter. As the bus goes right from my house (more or less) right to the front doors of the ENGG building

Insurance = $145/month
Gas x 3 fills = $40x3 = $120
Total = $265/month

What do I need to know about putting the car away for the winter? I am going to take insurance off my car end of September and go back on my moms Nissan as COD

[Mr. Burns]

Re: winter storage

I park my ride every winter too. I start it up and let it run for a couple minutes once a week or so. And I take it for a drive around the block once a month or so just to get all the parts moving.

EDIT: Oh yeah, I forgot about fuel.. I usually leave the tank just a **** hair shy of being empty.

[Kor]

Re: winter storage

Insurance = $145/month
Gas x 3 fills = $40x3 = $120
Total = $265/month

More like gas $50x3 these days (for me at least)... I think I can almost squeeze $60 in premium into my tank now.

I just advise not leaving dirt on your car for long periods in storage, so make sure its clean. Ummm also fuel in the winter is much different from fuel in the summer (different cloud points etc), so maybe fill it up with winter gas at the start of your storage in case you need to run the car before Spring.

[Smarty39]

Re: winter storage

If you aren't going to be moving it at all, make sure you put the car on jack stands instead of just letting is sit. If you let the car sit there all winter, there is a possibility of creating dead spots in the tires. But, Mike's method is good as well. Just start it up and take it for a quick spin every so often. There is no need to get up to any speeds, but just getting everything moving again is a good idea.

[Russell]

Re: winter storage

sounds good, when do we start to get winter gas in calgary?

[Kor]

Re: winter storage

sounds good, when do we start to get winter gas in calgary?

I don't know... probably not for a while yet!

[RobG]

Re: winter storage

If you aren't going to be moving it at all, make sure you put the car on jack stands instead of just letting is sit. If you let the car sit there all winter, there is a possibility of creating dead spots in the tires. But, Mike's method is good as well. Just start it up and take it for a quick spin every so often. There is no need to get up to any speeds, but just getting everything moving again is a good idea.

I think flat spotting is only a problem with older tires, I have parked many winters for periods up to 8 months without any problems before. I think unless you have a $800 tire, I wouldnt worry about it. If you do park on jackstands, keep the suspension compressed, The bushings will not be all twisted up if it is compressed and there wont be any extra metal exposed on the shocks/struts, or so I have been told.

[Hardy_Boy]

Re: winter storage

if you put wood under your tires i thnk that prevents flat spots. i would suggest searching on beyond.

[R_Ethug]

Re: winter storage

i just left mine sitting there last winter.. i drove it once on a chinook day to get the engine working a bit.. as for flat spots i thinks thats a myth.. i dunno mine was fine last year and i know bart leaves his car for like 7 months doing jack all and his is fine.. some say to unplug your battery but i didn't do that either and it was fine..

[Khyron]

Re: winter storage

Don't forget to keep theft/fire insurance active - it's cheap.

Also keeping the tank empty isn't a great idea as moisture/condensation starts rusting the insides. I've always been told that half tank is good, then add some fresh gas at start of season. Gas goes stale quicker now than it did 10 years ago.

Khyron

[R_Ethug]

Re: winter storage

oh god yes geoff.. most should remember i went through this crap last year with my insurance co.. they said i couldn't do it blah blah blah i threated to quit.. mmkay i guess you can do it lol.. stupid bastiches

[GINCH]

Re: winter storage

I stored my GTI last year from october 1st to may 1st. The previous owner did the same every year since new. Basically I thoroughly cleaned the car in and out. Changed the oil, filled the tank to full and added fuel stabilizer. Put on the stock 15's and pumped the PSI to 35. Took out the battery and put a car cover on it. I basically left her like that for 6 months. I was also unsure as to how I should store the car however the previous owner told me thats what he has always done so I did the same. When May rolled around, I took off the cover, connected the battery and fired her up. I also did another oil change right away! I'm not sure if this is the right way to do it but I figured I would just continue on with what was always done!
Cheers
Derek