ll-84camaro-ll

ok guys i need to know what all i have to do to keep my car safe in the winter as i know nothing about storing a car over the winter. i was thinking that i would be fine to just wax the heck out of it,dump fuel stabilizer in the tank, and put a 4 layer car cover over it. would i be fine with just doing that or are there other things i need to watch out for?

Dante93GTZ

iTrader: (5)

You're bound to get a ton of answers on this but here's what I do...

Fill the tank, put StaBil in it. Top off all fluids, change oil. Put a box of baking soda in the car, maybe one in the front and one in the hatch area. Also, the cover is a good idea.

Really, some will tell you to put it on jackstands, but newer tires don't have the flat spot problems anymore.

ll-84camaro-ll

the baking soda is to keep critters out of your car right?
also should i got out like every week or so and start it up and let it run for a bit or just leave it alone because ive heard both sides of the story some people say its good and some people say its bad. but i would like to hear an answer from somebody who has stored their car in previous winters

Dante93GTZ

iTrader: (5)

Baking soda is mostly for the smells... No airflow in the car can smell musty...

As for the startup, how long are your winters? I think its mostly personal preference... I'd say once every two weeks or once a month but in all reality, the oil has long since collected in the oil pan so its going to be as hard on the engine whichever way you go. The key is just to be regular about it w/o a huge interval between startups. Its basically just to keep seals and things of that nature conditioned.

Camaroguy18

yea I was told to not worry about starting it up. The staybil will help keep the fuel in check, and I was told just to take the float bowls off (Im carbed) so it may be different for tpi. I also use the baking soda, and whether it's practical or not, I put it up on jackstands (for the wheels, and so I can get under it and work on it)

sellmanb

dont start it up every now and then, you'll just un-do your prep to store the car, and it will be harder on your engine if you start the car w/ the oil being all in the pan like 7 times (once every couple weeks) compared to just once (when you go to take it out of storage).

Also, put some of those bounce sheets in your car... mice and other critters seem to be disgusted with the smell of it for some reason, and when you get back to your car it will smell nice n new for yah

labrat

Don't start it uness you intend to drive it. As long as there is no salt on the roads it is not a problem.

I drive my car right up until they salt the roads for the first time. This year so far so good.

Put fuel stabilizer in it and put the cover on it. Don't bother putting it up on jack stands.

If you are concerned about mice, put an old fashion mouse trap with peanut butter on it, near each wheel. Check the traps periodically.

Spdfrk1990

I left mine under a cover for 2 winters wasnt a good idea everything underneath like the rearend, steering linkage,exhaust, engine block, just about everything rusted up pretty bad.Now i have a garage to keep it in so i started tearing it down.