18 replies to this topic

[Wagoneer855]

So I've been getting really conflicting reports on how to store the wagon. Some say a car cover, some say no to a car cover, some say to give it an oil change before hand, drain the gas, etc. I'm just confused.

My plan is to not drain the gas but leave about 10L in just so I can burn the old gas off in the spring quickly. I do also want a car cover because I know I'll constantly be having to take boxes off of it that my roommates will put on it. I also plan on giving it an oil change before hand, but should I drain the oil completely? Should I drain anything else? It'll also be in the garage, not really temp. controlled but I usually run a space heater in the winter to work in the other space in the garage.

Any advice would help.

[Jeph430]

For my Harley, I always change the oil and stuff right before putting it away. Full tank of gas as well, some people suggest putting an additive in the tank, but I don't. Is it going to be in a heated garage or not?

[Matty Moo]

Full tank of gas with Sta-bil in it.

Disconnect your battery IF you don't plan on starting it occasionally. Put the battery inside.

Myself, I would change the oil. But that's up to you. Used motor oil has condensates in it.

[Ozark Lee]

Add Sta-Bil to a full tank of gas, a low tank invites condensation. Change the oil and run the motor until warm. When I winterize my boats I also fog the motors with fogging oil through the carbs, in the case of a Volvo where that really isn't' practical you can add a squirt of oil into each cylinder and then crank it over a few times to coat the cylinder walls and prevent rusting. At least you don't need to worry about draining the fresh water out of the block like on a boat.

When you bring it out of hibernation it will smoke like crazy but it won't hurt anything. I also pull the battery and charge it about once a month.

...Lee

[Black Betty]

Fresh oil change, some stay bil in the fuel. Premium has less of a chance of going bad. Oh and put the car on jack stands if you dont want to ruin the tires

[Wagoneer855]

Black Betty, on 24 September 2009 - 12:39 AM, said:

Fresh oil change, some stay bil in the fuel. Premium has less of a chance of going bad. Oh and put the car on jack stands if you dont want to ruin the tires

My tires are fried anyways. These yokos have been through a lot . Autocrosses, 1/4 days, cut up by fenders, the works. Somehow they're staying alive though. I plan to replace them next year anyways, hoping to replace my enkeis with a set of 17s.

Car only ever has 94 in it, so that's good. My dad has plenty of sta-bil, we put it in the boat every year.

And it's not a heated garage, but I usually run a little space heater in the winter while I'm in there. It never gets below freezing though.

The battery is a good idea, I'll put that in the basement.

[Cal3thousand]

I live in Southern Cali, so I have absolutely NO experience with this. Just wondering, what do you drive in the winter if you put your Volvo down to hibernate?

[Wagoneer855]

Cal3thousand, on 24 September 2009 - 05:50 PM, said:

I live in Southern Cali, so I have absolutely NO experience with this. Just wondering, what do you drive in the winter if you put your Volvo down to hibernate?

'94 Nissan pathfinder XE-V6 4x4 5spd manual. Locking hubs, hi/low 4WD; a proper winter beater

[FCP Groton]

When I put my motorcycle away for the winter, I put sta-bil in the tank, change the oil and leave it on the center stand.

[Rsterns]

Wagoneer855, on 24 September 2009 - 01:51 AM, said:

My tires are fried anyways. These yokos have been through a lot . Autocrosses, 1/4 days, cut up by fenders, the works. Somehow they're staying alive though. I plan to replace them next year anyways, hoping to replace my enkeis with a set of 17s.

Car only ever has 94 in it, so that's good. My dad has plenty of sta-bil, we put it in the boat every year.

And it's not a heated garage, but I usually run a little space heater in the winter while I'm in there. It never gets below freezing though.

The battery is a good idea, I'll put that in the basement.

Haven’t really experienced this myself, but my brother has up in Rochester, N.Y.; Consider some sort of deterrent to nesting critters. He even had squirrels that loved to chew on silicone. Lastly a lullaby never hurts.

[DHV70]

We've got a big problem with mice around here...

try throwing a few mothballs in a plastic bag, and putting that in your air box.

toss a couple on top of the air guide, as well. that should keep them away

[Cal3thousand]

DHV70, on 25 September 2009 - 02:52 PM, said:

We've got a big problem with mice around here...

try throwing a few mothballs in a plastic bag, and putting that in your air box.

toss a couple on top of the air guide, as well. that should keep them away

In college, my corolla sat in a lot for 5 days waiting until I got enough money for an alternator and battery.

Upon installing the alternator, I found that a family of rats or mice must have made it a "breakfast nook" by all of the chewed McDonalds BBQ sauce cups sitting in various places. I found at least a half dozen, so they must love the stuff.


Long story short....





protect your BBQ sauces!

[Mesoam]

car cover and just start it every few weeks, a battery tender isn't a bad idea, no need for StaBil IMO esp for just winter storage, just leave it filled up to the top

[Big Will]

Hey!

I just went through this storing my car at my parents' place in Arizona. I changed the oil, filled up the tank and added Sta-bil and then drove the car briefly. I put the car on jackstands but as low as possible so the suspension wasn't totally topped out b/c that's not good either from what I understand.

[Cal3thousand]

Big Will, on 25 September 2009 - 07:57 PM, said:

Hey!

I just went through this storing my car at my parents' place in Arizona. I changed the oil, filled up the tank and added Sta-bil and then drove the car briefly. I put the car on jackstands but as low as possible so the suspension wasn't totally topped out b/c that's not good either from what I understand.

Oh, that makes sense. Take just enough weight off to keep the tires round, but not stretch out the springs or shocks.

[European Sportwagon]

I used a battery saver and a car cover. Also, I started it up and drove around the block once a week or so.
That was before it was a DD and I still had a pickup RIP

[855]

Full tank of gas with stabilizer. Half tank or anything other than full will allow condensation to form on the walls of the tank. Also doesnt hurt to put some methyl hydrate in it. I dont bother changing the oil cause the new stuff will form condensation just the same. A tupperware container of with holes in the lid full of baking soda to soak up any of the moisture inside the car. Definitely a car cover as well as it wont hurt anything. Make sure it is a good quality one that is breathable.

If you dont plan on starting it up or moving it around also put it up on jackstands. Remove the plugs and put a bit of oil through each hole onto the top of the pistons. Remove the battery and keep it on a tender.

Ive been doing all of the above for years with my other car and the car still runs and looks as new

[MyCarIsRed]

DHV70, on 25 September 2009 - 02:52 PM, said:

We've got a big problem with mice around here...

try throwing a few mothballs in a plastic bag, and putting that in your air box.

toss a couple on top of the air guide, as well. that should keep them away

under the hood insulation as well (*if you still have it on). Pulled about 3# of acorns and a nest out of there when i first got my car...

I know storing batteries on concrete floors used to be a no-no, block of wood if it must be on the floor.

[Wagoneer855]

Great info guys, thanks a lot.

So, oil change, full tank of gas with stabilizer, baking soda in the car, good car cover, and move it every few weeks so the wheels don't get dead spots. I think I can handle that.