Getting Prepared for Winter "Storage".

[Mr.SUB]

I am currently looking for a winter ride since I won't take the GT out once a snowflake falls. It will be in an unheated parking garage but will not be exposed to the elements - other than the cold. I also plan on starting/driving it when the roads are clear of salt or anything nasty, so it does not just sit there. And at a minimum will move within the garage to keep the tires from remaining in one spot along with raising and lowering the top as well.

What else should I be doing? Should I cover it? Any advice will be appreciated.

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[robvas]

I wouldn't touch it if you don't have to. Letting it sit a few months won't hurt anything. Trickle charger and a wash

 

[rijndael]

Just be mindful of rodents. You don't want to "uncover" it in the spring only to find that mice have had their way under the hood. I've had squirrels chew up things too.

 

[MAT1955]

@Mr.SUB ..... I like everything you said except activating the top - unless the temperature of the top is at least 50 Fahrenheit - some will say you can do it at 40 degrees but I think that is risky. I have owned many convertibles and lived where winter temperatures went below zero regularly. Operating a convertible top in low or worse very low temperatures can cause it to rip. I had warned a friend who had a pristine 2014 GT. He dropped it at around 32 degrees and it ripped when he was putting it back up. He had to replace his top. That cost him $2,500.00. I store mine in an unheated, clean environment too. I don't trickle charge but I do start it every three weeks and if you are going to do that IMO you must run it until it hits operating temperatures. In my case, in the "dead" of winter that takes about 30 minutes. When it comes out of storage in the spring it goes straight to the dealer for a full synthetic oil and filter change and tire rotation. Have been doing this for decades with "convertibles and "toy" cars and never had a problem (mechanical or top related) that I would attribute to winter storage. Some will say there is no need to start your car but I prefer too. It may be less necessary to start them if you use full synthetic, like I do, but I still prefer to do that as I think doing so (to normal operating temperature) is better for the engine and transmission.

 

[REV745DH24]

Just be mindful of rodents. You don't want to "uncover" it in the spring only to find that mice have had their way under the hood. I've had squirrels chew up things too.

CarCapsule will take care of that!

 

[Pmamba]

Just curious - if the car sits for months do the tires develop any flat spots that don’t go away? Or do people put the car on jack stands or something?

 

[Mr.SUB]

Just curious - if the car sits for months do the tires develop any flat spots that don’t go away? Or do people put the car on jack stands or something?

I've seen people note that they pump up the tires to 45-50psi. I assume this is the reason. Others probably have a better answer.

 

[jamespmoran]

Luckily I have a heated garage. Wash the car, clean the interior, pump the tires to 50psi, hook up the trickle charger, stabil in the gas tank, cover, pray for spring.

 

[robvas]

Just curious - if the car sits for months do the tires develop any flat spots that don’t go away? Or do people put the car on jack stands or something?

they go away after a few minutes of driving. Some tires flat spot parked overnight

 

[RLE55]

Maybe try RaceRamps Flatstoppers, good alternative if not lifting car and removing tires. Attach trickle charge, many makes to choose from. Get a good car cover and lastly, maybe place some moth balls inside engine bay, interior and trunk-----keeps critters that chew wires at bay. For the truck, that stays outside, I put 2-3 balls in a lint filter (screen net) and hang them on each side of engine bay. Damn critters.

 

[MNPony]

I've stored our cars for 6+ months for each of the last 4 years. The steps I take are as follows. Fill the gas tank and add fuel stabilizer. Put the car on tire savers (about $40 on Amazon) and add about 5 lbs of pressure to each tire. Put a battery tender on the battery. Put some steel wool in each tailpipe to keep critters out. Toss a desiccant bag (the kind used when storing an RV) in the car to keep moisture buildup at a minimum. Use of a car cover is your choice. I used to use one but I asked the guys who ceramic coated our Mustang and they suggested that as long as you store the car indoors, the risk of the cover causing scratches outweighs the benefits of keeping mostly dust off the car so they recommended no cover. Using this process has yielded zero problems so far.

 

[MegaMan]

all great points.

I’d say if you’re a car enthusiast and have the means /ability to do so - move to a state that’s warm year around and you can enjoy a sports car anytime of year !!! I lived on the east coast for 30+ years and the winters are brutal…can’t do much of anything…moved to Nevada and wow you can drive a convertible Ferrari if you wanted to year around (except in July and August- too hot). 80 degrees, and zero humidity in late October is hard to beat…Well worth it!!

 

[Radiant]

I’d say if you’re a car enthusiast and have the means /ability to do so - move to a state that’s warm year around and you can enjoy a sports car anytime of year !!!

I'm thankful to all of you who put your ponies away for winter. My Pirellis held on for ~1500 miles, but the front tires are done. Clearance sale Summer tires are a blessing for backroad and track enthusiasts in warm areas.

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