Winter storage prep, What to do for winter storage. Options

[jordisonjr]

I used the search and there's a lot of threads about people winterizing their cars for driving in winers.
Im looking to get some info on winter storage.

I don't have money or the space to keep my Celica indoors so it will be out in the backyard behind my garage just like it did last year.
Last year I put on some crappy wheels and let it sit on those all winter so i didnt have to worry about flat spots cause they were bad tires anyways.
I removed the subs and screen, filled the tank with gas and put in fuel stabliizer as well as ran fogging oil through the motor.
Cleaned everything real good so it was good when i took it out in the spring.

Placed bounce dryer sheets below the car and in the engine bay, to keep animals like squirrels and mice away from the car.

This year I had to replace wheel bearings that were less than a year old. I got it done by a toyota mechanic who did it in his garage at home on his own time, both times. He said the reason i needed to replace them again was probably because i let the car sit all winter. I dunno if this is true, or if he is just trying to cover his ass for a ****ty installation the first time around.

I've read that its bad to jack the car up without the wheels on and to have the suspension sagging, and my mechanic told me this as well. But I've also read that its not good to leave it sitting.

The car will be sitting for approximately 5 months. I don't know if i should jack the car up or just let it sit again. Also if there is anything else I should do to keep my car looking and running its best any help would be awesome. Thanks 6GC!

[sphinxxx]

This is what i do... not necessarily in this order!

-Full top to bottom detail, wash, wax, and polish, vacume and all... the works!
-Jack the car up, put in your jack stands, and under the wheels put a block of wood... then lower the jack a little, so the wheels arent sagging soo much
-Cover the seats with a cotton blanket or sheet to keep moisture away from the fabric/leather,
-Put a couple new air fresheners opened all the way! ( i hate when people just open it part way and leave the plastic bag hanging... i HATE it! lol )
-Make sure you have at least half a tank of gas, cause the gas will break down over time... do not leave it empty!... also add a fuel stabilizer.
-Change the oil.. old oil can have acidic deposits that can eat away little by little over months and months!
-Disconnect the battery of course for obvious reasons!
-Moth balls yes in the glove box, trunk, and under the hood.
-Get a high quality car cover! dont cheap out and use a crappy blue tarp!! do it right!

[jordisonjr]

This is what i do... not necessarily in this order!

-Full top to bottom detail, wash, wax, and polish, vacume and all... the works!
-Jack the car up, put in your jack stands, and under the wheels put a block of wood... then lower the jack a little, so the wheels arent sagging soo much
-Cover the seats with a cotton blanket or sheet to keep moisture away from the fabric/leather,
-Put a couple new air fresheners opened all the way! ( i hate when people just open it part way and leave the plastic bag hanging... i HATE it! lol )
-Make sure you have at least half a tank of gas, cause the gas will break down over time... do not leave it empty!... also add a fuel stabilizer.
-Change the oil.. old oil can have acidic deposits that can eat away little by little over months and months!
-Disconnect the battery of course for obvious reasons!
-Moth balls yes in the glove box, trunk, and under the hood.
-Get a high quality car cover! dont cheap out and use a crappy blue tarp!! do it right!

LOL you sure do go all out.
So you change your oil befroe you store it, then do you change it again once you take it out or just drive on that same oil?
Where exactly did you place your jack stands?
Last year I just left it uncovered and let it sit. I would usually brush it off when it snowed though. Do you think thats bad for it?

My dad and I got in an argument about it and he said the cover is just going to flap around and scratch the paint and everything untill there was enough snow to keep it in one spot. I gave in and let him win that battle haha, and left it uncovered. Didn't see any damage to it after that.

[sphinxxx]

LOL you sure do go all out.
So you change your oil befroe you store it, then do you change it again once you take it out or just drive on that same oil?
Where exactly did you place your jack stands?
Last year I just left it uncovered and let it sit. I would usually brush it off when it snowed though. Do you think thats bad for it?

My dad and I got in an argument about it and he said the cover is just going to flap around and scratch the paint and everything untill there was enough snow to keep it in one spot. I gave in and let him win that battle haha, and left it uncovered. Didn't see any damage to it after that.

yea what can i say i love my cars!

i get free oil changes so for me its not an issue but you dont HAVE to get new oil...

the jack stands i put at the pinch points as directed by the manual.. only thing is i put a peice of flat wood between the car and stand.

letting it sit with no cover... i wouldn't... just imagine all the ice, dirt, salt, bird poop, UV rays and other factors that get at your paint during 5 months!
and the flapping around... thats why i said get a good high quality cover... the ones that fit snug and have the elastic band at the bottom you can tie it down too if you like..



i cant see this flapping around too much!... not my car.. but very similar! the car cover i have is 100% waterproof with some microfiber layer inside to extract moisture! it was like $100 bucks!

This post has been edited by sphinxxx: Oct 21, 2010 - 8:53 PM