Just put the car into storage

[AdamK47]

Not really storage. It's sitting in my garage with storage insurance on it. I usually wait until the first salting of the roads. That day was today.

Sweet dreams my sweet prince. Until spring for when we can wreak havoc once again.

 

[Fenixgoon]

which car? can't remember what's in your stable.

 

[AdamK47]

Malibu

 

[DaTT]

I used to store my Mustang in the winter. Got tired of owning a winter beater. I will admit, I do miss the excitement of pulling it out in the Spring though.

 

[AdamK47]

My 2014 Chevy Spark is my winter beater. 5 speed manual and near 40 mpg. It's my "I don't give a shit car". I use it most of the time. Rainy days, potential rainy days, snow, and the "I just want to get to work" days. I'll always have a mix of fun cars and beaters cars.

 

[NutBucket]

LOL. Most folks wouldn't call that a beater. I guess everything is relative.

 

[AdamK47]

The Spark does lead in fuel efficiency vs. the SS by about 25 to 30 mpg.

 

[AdamK47]

Oh, that reminds me... I need to put the rubber mat back into the Spark so that the salt doesn't get into the carpet.

Thank goodness for this thread. Thank you OP!

 

[JulesMaximus]

Oh, that reminds me... I need to put the rubber mat back into the Spark so that the salt doesn't get into the carpet.

Thank goodness for this thread. Thank you OP!

Shameless self plug? 😉

I don't have a winter beater... winter here is when it gets cooler and the days are short. And it rains occasionally.

Curious, do you remove the wheels during the cars winter slumber?

 

[DaTT]

Shameless self plug? 😉

I don't have a winter beater... winter here is when it gets cooler and the days are short. And it rains occasionally.

Curious, do you remove the wheels during the cars winter slumber?

I never did. I did however drive it on clear days for 30 minutes or so ever 3-4 weeks to keep things from seizing up.

 

[AdamK47]

Shameless self plug? 😉

I don't have a winter beater... winter here is when it gets cooler and the days are short. And it rains occasionally.

Curious, do you remove the wheels during the cars winter slumber?

3 or 4 times during the winter I will start the car, back it out into the driveway, and let it idle for a bit. The wheels stay on.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I never did. I did however drive it on clear days for 30 minutes or so ever 3-4 weeks to keep things from seizing up.

I knew guys who used to do this every winter when I lived in the northeast. They did it to keep the tires from developing flat spots. Would make the car harder to steal too I suppose.

3 or 4 times during the winter I will start the car, back it out into the driveway, and let it idle for a bit. The wheels stay on.

I know guys who do that with their motorcycles when not ridden for a while but I don't think there is any real advantage to doing that. In fact, there are probably more reasons not to do it than to do it.

If you're going to start it, then drive it and get every part of the vehicle working. Otherwise, I would just leave it parked until spring.

 

[AdamK47]

I like listening to it though. My neighbors love it too. At least that's what I tell myself.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I like listening to it though. My neighbors love it too. At least that's what I tell myself.

If my bike sits for a week or more sometimes I'm tempted to start it but I rarely start it unless I'm riding it somewhere. Bikes need to be ridden fairly regularly. If not, they should be setup for storage. I think the longest I've gone without riding my Ducati is around 2-3 weeks max, and that length of time between rides is very rare. My rides are always long enough to get it up to full operating temperature. Usually at least 20 minutes or longer.

I've never stored a vehicle personally. All my vehicles are used fairly regularly. I rode my motorcycle to work on Tuesday and I rode it to a friend's house on Saturday. I have a bit over 10,000 miles on my Multistrada at the moment.

 

[repoman0]

I change the oil then go for a ~30 minute drive to fill the fuel tank and pump the tires up to max pressure (avoids flat spots without jack stands) before storage every year. I also give the car a good wash and wax, no car cover, and put it on a battery tender. This worked fine last year, it started right up after five months but somehow I still get nervous letting the car sit for this long.

 

[AdamK47]

I did inflate the stock Bridgestone Potenza tires to 40 PSI a few weeks ago in anticipation of storage. I'm sure that will avoid any sort of flat spot.

 

[_Rick_]

I put my Elise to sleep six weeks ago. She'll be back out in March. Can't driver her around, since she's only insured March through October.

At least my fancy-pants garage has a webcam, so I can spy on her from afar - she isn't even in my home garage. This place is way too rough for a "body damage = write off" car.

Put the car cover on her and gave her a nice cleaning and drive - also unplugged the battery. Forgot my tools, so had to do it in place. It's much easier with the battery in the open.

I used to just roll her lightly around every month, to avoid flatspotting. I have a rental car for christmas, so before I head off, I might just pay her a visit, so she doesn't get bedsores.