It's that time of year again for those of us in the north. Sadly, my TR was placed in storage over the weekend and I'm left driving my Toyota truck for the next several months. Why is it that the older you get, the shorter the summers seem to be? I swear that after 30, the years roll by like months. But, I digress.
I am posting some of the things I do in prep for storage to help others and see what others might do:
Preparing a car for winter storage can be quite a chore, but the steps you take now will ensure an easy process taking it out of storage in the spring. I have listed my recipe below. It might not cover everything you need to do and some guys certainly do more than this, but this recipe has served me well and my cars have thanked me by being ready to go when spring fever hits.
1. Wash and detail the car making sure to get every bit of dirt off of the paint and undercarriage if possible. Months of storage will cause the dirt to absorb moisture and corrode metal. Basically, prepare the car as if you were going to a car show.
2. Clean up the interior of the car making sure to vacuum and dust everything. Lubricate the door/window seals with silicone.
3. Fill up the gas tank. It will prevent oxidation and displace any water. Add fuel system stabilizer and drive the car around for a few miles to ensure the stabilizer is mixed and dispersed throughout the fuel system.
4. Change the oil and filter, preferably at the storage facility. Oil starts accumulating moisture as soon as your new oil begins to circulate, so you want to eliminate this possibility.
5. Lay down a plastic vapor barrier in your storage facility. Concrete can transfer moisture to your car, so buy a sheet a little bigger than your car and drive right onto it. Don't set your parking brake! This could cause your rear brakes to fuse.
6. Place a desiccant silica pack in the interior and in the trunk. I have used DampRid, available at Home Depot. This will absorb moisture and smells, preventing mold in the process.
7. I do not put my car on jack stands. It is a hassle and I don't think it is worth it for the five months it will sit. I have never had any adverse effects.
8. Put steel wool in the tailpipes to prevent rodents from making it a home.
9. Remove the battery and take it home OR keep it on a tender if you can.
10. Cover the car with a quality car cover and say goodbye for the winter. I never start mine during storage time ... I just let it sit. Starting it does more harm than good in my opinion.
I am posting some of the things I do in prep for storage to help others and see what others might do:
Preparing a car for winter storage can be quite a chore, but the steps you take now will ensure an easy process taking it out of storage in the spring. I have listed my recipe below. It might not cover everything you need to do and some guys certainly do more than this, but this recipe has served me well and my cars have thanked me by being ready to go when spring fever hits.
1. Wash and detail the car making sure to get every bit of dirt off of the paint and undercarriage if possible. Months of storage will cause the dirt to absorb moisture and corrode metal. Basically, prepare the car as if you were going to a car show.
2. Clean up the interior of the car making sure to vacuum and dust everything. Lubricate the door/window seals with silicone.
3. Fill up the gas tank. It will prevent oxidation and displace any water. Add fuel system stabilizer and drive the car around for a few miles to ensure the stabilizer is mixed and dispersed throughout the fuel system.
4. Change the oil and filter, preferably at the storage facility. Oil starts accumulating moisture as soon as your new oil begins to circulate, so you want to eliminate this possibility.
5. Lay down a plastic vapor barrier in your storage facility. Concrete can transfer moisture to your car, so buy a sheet a little bigger than your car and drive right onto it. Don't set your parking brake! This could cause your rear brakes to fuse.
6. Place a desiccant silica pack in the interior and in the trunk. I have used DampRid, available at Home Depot. This will absorb moisture and smells, preventing mold in the process.
7. I do not put my car on jack stands. It is a hassle and I don't think it is worth it for the five months it will sit. I have never had any adverse effects.
8. Put steel wool in the tailpipes to prevent rodents from making it a home.
9. Remove the battery and take it home OR keep it on a tender if you can.
10. Cover the car with a quality car cover and say goodbye for the winter. I never start mine during storage time ... I just let it sit. Starting it does more harm than good in my opinion.