winter storage

[bpmack16]

so what is the best way to store my car for the winter? My car is inside but I don't want to get flat spots on my tires and want to preserve my gas in the tank. I also don't want to spend allot of $$$ on the special tire blocks that prevent flat spots. What do you suggest i do to not run in to flat spot issues in the spring (over inflate the tires???, and what should I use to treat the gas?)

[FredK]

Fill up the gas tank, overinflate the tires, roll it back and forth a little bit every now and then, and disconnect the battery and bring it inside the house.

[Mike325]

Keep inside for sure. I would invest in a nice car cover too. To keep from getting flat spots I would inflate to about 40 psi or I would just jack the car up off the ground a little bit.

To treat the gas, I would use gas stabilizer. You should also fill your gas tank up all the way to help prevent moisture buildup inside your tank.

[mrl325i]

Don't disconnect the battery. Hook up a Battery Tender. They make an indoor one and a weatherproof one.

[dlmpsy]

Fuel stabilizer, fill tank, more psi in tires, etc. makes sense. Mice can be a problem, they enjoy living in BMW's during the winter months. Especially near the blower motor. Nothing says springtime like the smell of mouse.

[z31maniac]

I'd probably get the car off the ground instead of over inflating the tires.

Also a good idea to wash/wax/detail the car before you put it under. Any dirt/crud you leave on there will just sit on the paint/sills/underside until the spring otherwise.

I might also change the oil as well.

[3bvert]

I agree with the full tnak idea, helps fight rusting in th areas expoed to air, stabil is a good idea too but dont just dump it in and walk away, mix it to the correct proportions and run it for a while so it is in your whole system, even drive around the block to mix it
cinder blocks are cheaper then jack stands for getting the car off the ground if that is the route you choose ( overinflate or jack)
ye syou can disconnect the battery adn battery tneders are not a ton of money, harbor frieght has em cheap and I use them on my motorcyles
but one old trick is to put a battery charger on a light switch, evry time the light is on the charger is on....I have not done that, but a friend of mine does for his tractor.. another friend has his charger on the garage door opener outlet, so everytime his garage door opens, his motorcyle gets a boost for a minute or two
moth balls will keep the mice out of your glove compartment and trunk, a friend has one of those electronic mice repellents tht he has in his car ( on an extension cord) another fun spot, for my wifes volvo anyway, is to crawl into the iar intake hole and build a nice little nest in the air box
antifreeze mix and levels are improtant too, but dont use cheap stuff tht will sit there and interact with the mixed metals
non siicone brake fluids abosrb water. so top that up as well, I dont use silicone. armorall or equivelnt your vinyls, treat your leathers, you dont wnt leather drying and cracking
car covers are good too, however some peole , out of sight out of mind, so with the car under a cover, they dont look to see if little meeses are having fun or people end up putting stuff on top of the car thinking "its protected"

of course winter time is the best time to get all those little "bugs" out of your car ( meaning repairs/upgrades), sitting in the car late at night dreaming of spring or escaping and sitting with the radio on and looking at the forum on your lap top

[Simon S]

cinder blocks are cheaper then jack stands

shit dude
i wouldn't be caught dead using cinder blocks
they crumble

[BeirBrennerE30]

I fill the tank with gas, make sure the tires are inflated to the correct level, check the coolant, put a battery tender on it and a car cover. On nice days during the winter, liek once or twice a month, I start her up and let it idle for liek 30 minutes. If there isnt any snow ill drive it up and down the drive way a few times, run the A/C untill it starts blowing cold, check for leaks and put the cover and tender on again.

[M-technik-3]

Tire cradels that have wheels to move car about in garage. Battery tenders powered by solar, fuel stabil and full tank of gas but fuel filter prior to filling tank. The A/C running is great for seals and the system one of the most neglected items in cars. Plug the tail pipe to keep out rodents, as well as some moth ball under the hood to drive em out.

I also coat the brakes with some light oil to prevent rust.

[3bvert]

shit dude
i wouldn't be caught dead using cinder blocks
they crumble

depends on the orientation fo the webs, and I would not ever work under a car on cinder blocks regardless of the orinetation of the webs or the age

also concrete and cinder blocks etc, get stronger with age for the first few months as water leaves, no b.s
so new ones are real weak and cinder blocks are worthless with strenth if the long orientation is verticle
thats why your not supposed to build on a concrete foundation or set a house down on a new cinder block foundtion for at least 28 days...but hardly any contractor waits
look it up if you want , most strenth in any concrete product or pour is listed for after 28 days

[TrentW]

depends on the orientation fo the webs, and I would not ever work under a car on cinder blocks regardless of the orinetation of the webs or the age

also concrete and cinder blocks etc, get stronger with age for the first few months as water leaves, no b.s
so new ones are real weak and cinder blocks are worthless with strenth if the long orientation is verticle
thats why your not supposed to build on a concrete foundation or set a house down on a new cinder block foundtion for at least 28 days...but hardly any contractor waits
look it up if you want , most strenth in any concrete product or pour is listed for after 28 days

NEVER use cinder or concrete blocks of any kind, EVER, period. Jack stands are cheap. And safe.

[325ix]

I drive mine in the winter :) But in all seriousness use jack stands if your going to keep it off the ground for winter