The Winter Storage Thread

[ScottyK]

Because Palmer thinks its a good idea.

Post pics and/or info about the car(s) you're storing for the winter months. Ask questions about what to do or not to do, etc. annnnnd go.

I'll be putting the Westy in storage for the winter soonish. It was supposed to snow here today and still might this weekend. Anyone have any tips for storing a diesel Vanagon?

I'll post some pics of the storage set up tomorrow sometime.

[the_bomber]

I park this every winter. I generally fill the tank about 3/4 and park it. disconnect the positive on the battery. done. have done it for idk, the last 7 ish years at least. come spring, check tire pressure, plug in battery, start it up. then go put a 1/4 tank in of fresh premium. haven't had a problem yet.

[Stephen]

stored my jetta last winter

i put on a set of wheels with shot tires that just held air basically
seafoam in the gas
started it for like 15 mins once a week. if it was nice out i drove it around the block just to keep things moving
oh and idk if this helps at all but i also stocked up on isv's before winter, they seem to be pretty fussy in the cold

[Bryce]

I'll be storing this for the winter since I don't want to deal with all of the paint abuse that happens during the winter. The original plan was to over inflate the tires, slightly lift it on jack stands to take pressure off the tires, stabilize the fuel, pull the battery, mask the exhaust tips (moisture, insects, rodents), wax, and cover. I was not expecting snow to be coming so soon though, so I may have to wait on buying a cover for a month or two.

[ScottyK]

I didn't know you got another beetle! Beautiful. Did u sell the silver one?

[Bryce]

I didn't know you got another beetle! Beautiful. Did u sell the silver one?

Traded it in on this one. I didn't get much for it, but they made me a pretty good deal on the new one.

[CaRJoE0220]

started it for like 15 mins once a week. if it was nice out i drove it around the block just to keep things moving

Doesn't this defeat the purpose of winter storage. Driving it around the salt covered roads "just to keep things moving"? Unless they dont salt down in Apple Valley?

[SLK]

Doesn't this defeat the purpose of winter storage. Driving it around the salt covered roads "just to keep things moving"? Unless they dont salt down in Apple Valley?

Not only does that defeat the purpose, but from everything I have ever read/heard about doing this, it is not a good idea at all. Your motor wears the most when it is cold. So if you start it ones a week, let it barely get warm and then shut it off, you are doing more harm than good.

And they salt everything in Apple Valley. It is annoying. With my MK1 I pretty much have to get one of those Kwik Trip unlimited wash monthly passes just to ensure my truck isn't completely rusted through by the spring.

[CaRJoE0220]

Not only does that defeat the purpose, but from everything I have ever read/heard about doing this, it is not a good idea at all. Your motor wears the most when it is cold. So if you start it ones a week, let it barely get warm and then shut it off, you are doing more harm than good.

And they salt everything in Apple Valley. It is annoying. With my MK1 I pretty much have to get one of those Kwik Trip unlimited wash monthly passes just to ensure my truck isn't completely rusted through by the spring.

Yea I am aware of they salt in Apple Valley just making a point I guess. Agreed on it not being smart/safe to start a car from cold just to let it almost get warm and shut it down... and then repeat 7 days later.

Winterize, cover, store and let it be for 4 months. Dryer sheets in the exhaust and other places to keep the mice out is always a safe bet.

[SLK]

Dryer sheets in the exhaust and other places to keep the mice out is always a safe bet.

That worked great when I stored my E30. The first time I opened the storage unit in the spring, I found a dead mouse in the corner but my car was completely untouched. But it did smell like dryer sheets for a few weeks after that...

[JK9K]

Dryer sheets have worked well for cars that I have stored. For me it was a must since the storage space I've used has been a small barn out in the country. Plenty of varmints around, and there has never been evidence of them getting in the cars. I would keep them scattered on the ground under the car as well as in every foot well, under the seats, in the trunk, under the hood, and in any spot that is seemed a mouse or chumpmunk might decide to burrow into.

I always disconnected the battery as well. Sometime I would leave it in place, but often I would remove it and keep it somewhere out of the cold.

[boardrider247]

I must buy the wrong kind of dryer sheets. The few times I have tried to use them I end up with mouse Shit on the sheets. No kidding they Shit right on the dryer sheets.

[magilson]

Change the oil unless it's pretty fresh. There are even special storage oils to help keep everything coated. Pull the battery if you can but either way keeping it on a tender/trickle charger is a pretty good idea. Dryer sheets are a great idea. You can wrap the exhaust, etc. with steel braid and those stupid things will wear their teeth to nothing trying to get in. A box or two of armor all baking soda in the interior. Wash and wax. Mostly full gas tank with stabilizer. On jack stands with the tires off the ground if at all possible but it's less of a thing on tires these days. I'll be using wheels dollies that are curved anyway. Cover. You can get even more anal by slightly keeping the wiper blades off the glass so they don't get a curve. It goes on and on.

[JK9K]

You can get even more anal by slightly keeping the wiper blades off the glass so they don't get a curve.

Not a bad idea! Especially if you have silly proprietary blades, or some other sort of silly expensive wipers.

[EurosB4Hoes]

Parking my mk2 for the winter and plan on putting it on jack stands but do i do anything to my coils? Raise or lower them all the way? Or just leave em?