Seasonal Car Storage tips/advice?

[Skurj]

I am going to be storing a car for the first time. My winter car will be stored for the next 6 months, and then the BRZ will take its place over the winter months. I have never stored a car and am looking for tips and advice on doing so.
The car won't be kept in my own garage, it will be in rented space and my access will be limited.

Not really sure what needs to be done, guessing either fill the gas tank and add stabilizer or leave it close to empty. Give the car a good clean and a wax before storing... anything else? Should I be removing the battery or just disconnecting? Oh the car will be stored indoors.

Any advice is welcome.

Thanks

[WingsofWar]

Originally Posted by Skurj

I am going to be storing a car for the first time. My winter car will be stored for the next 6 months, and then the BRZ will take its place over the winter months. I have never stored a car and am looking for tips and advice on doing so.
The car won't be kept in my own garage, it will be in rented space and my access will be limited.

Not really sure what needs to be done, guessing either fill the gas tank and add stabilizer or leave it close to empty. Give the car a good clean and a wax before storing... anything else? Should I be removing the battery or just disconnecting? Oh the car will be stored indoors.

Any advice is welcome.

Thanks

If your keeping your car stored for the winter for more than 3 months up to 2 years, I recommend this;

1. wash & wax
2. use oil stabilizer with an oil change
3. use fuel stabilizer with a toppped off tank
4. pour Silica Gel Beads inside the cabin
5. disconnect battery
6. put your car up on jackstands,
7. Car cover.
8. Say goodbye

[Skurj]

Originally Posted by WingsofWar

If your keeping your car stored for the winter for more than 3 months up to 2 years, I recommend this;

1. wash & wax
2. use oil stabilizer with an oil change
3. use fuel stabilizer with a toppped off tank
4. pour Silica Gel Beads inside the cabin
5. disconnect battery
6. put your car up on jackstands,
7. Car cover.
8. Say goodbye

Thanks for the response, couple questions..

With a fresh oil change and synthetics is the oil stabilizer still needed?

Pretty sure I know what the Silica gel beads are, any idea how much I need and where to buy something like that?

[WingsofWar]

Originally Posted by Skurj

Thanks for the response, couple questions..

With a fresh oil change and synthetics is the oil stabilizer still needed?

Pretty sure I know what the Silica gel beads are, any idea how much I need and where to buy something like that?

-Basically your worst enemy is against moisture and humidity. If you cant find Silica gel beads at your local hardware/lumbar store. You might be able to get something similar at the Paint section of Home Depot that acts as a de-humidifier.

-Moisture is also present in your crank case and fuel tank, and a stabilizer will help prevent foamy buildup from water in those areas. Regardless if you have synthetic oil.

If by chance you have a garage that is heated and has humidity control, then you should consider spraying all your rubber components with a product like Meguire's40. Like your CV boots, tie-rod covers, tires, dash board, door panels, this keeps the natural oils in rubber and plastics from drying out/ evaporating, and cracking.

Reason why i say put your car on jacks is because you dont want to have the car sit on the same spot on the tires for several weeks to months, this warps and bends the tire to deformity and often forces you to replace tires when you take your car out of winter retirement. Some may argue it also sustains the life of your shocks and springs but i still have yet to see evidence of that on newer vehicles.

[rice_classic]

Also after you fire it back up, pull the ECU/Injector fuse (or whatever would keep the injectors from firing) and crank the engine for a while until you have oil pressure. For cars without an oil pressure gauge, I recommend letting it crank for 10-15 seconds or so. Then put the fuses back in and fire it back.

If only letting a car sit for under 3 months I would say all the stabilizer stuff isn't as essential (or even dry cranking) but disconnecting the battery is. Letting it sit for 6 months or more and all those things Wings mentioned should be considered.

[dem00n]

I remember a while back there was this article about storing a car and they recommend taking out the windshield wipers, they said that certain rubbers that sit on a glass surface for a while go hard and well...become useless.

Don't know if true, would do some research anyways.