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!

[jordisonjr]

sphinxxx: So you just let the car sit on the little grooves where the stock jack is supposed to go, with pieces of wood inbetween?
I guess I can see why he didn't want me using the car cover I had, it was really ****ty compared to that one haha. Is there any specific materials to look for or any brands to look out for for a car cover? Also since they are so tight, are they car specific?

Stambo: All you do is take out the battery?
I know to take out the battery, but I'm not to worried cause my battery is completely dead anyways. I'm pretty sure its cause I didn't have it on a charger or anything last winter when it was out. Plus its pretty old, and I haven't driven the car in about a month or so because the clutch is getting really bad in it.

[sphinxxx]

sphinxxx: So you just let the car sit on the little grooves where the stock jack is supposed to go, with pieces of wood inbetween?
I guess I can see why he didn't want me using the car cover I had, it was really ****ty compared to that one haha. Is there any specific materials to look for or any brands to look out for for a car cover? Also since they are so tight, are they car specific?

yea pretty much... with wood blocks holding up the tires a bit to reduce sag

you can jack it up and support the car from the frame rails too i suppose, as long as you use the flat wood peices, and as long as your rails arent rotted out!

as for the covers... there are some that are vehicle specific... but mine isnt.. just look for 100% waterproof and microfilm inner lining.
dont forget the elastic bottom! if you must you can tie the cover down! like this... but on a car!

This post has been edited by sphinxxx: Oct 22, 2010 - 1:02 AM