winter storage: what proceedures should i take?

[bigdaddywiz]

I'm going to be storing my r/t over the winter and want to get people's opinion of what to do.

in the past when storing my road runner, i usually leave about 1/4 tank of gas in her and start her up every couple of weeks letting her run for 10 minutes or so. that way, in the spring i know she would start no problem and it also keep the battery charged.

with my new car, i was wondering if there was any other steps to take. someone told me not to run for a little bit of time because unless its run hot, the condesation in the exhaust will build up while it sits.

someone else told me it was ok to not run them at all and just keep a battery regulator on it to keep the charge.

both my cars are garage kept.

can i get away with just starting and running my challenger every couple weeks in the garage and let it run long and hot enough to burn condensation off?

thanks for any input in advance.

[04hemipwr]

hell just put a snow plow on it like the movie "out cold" lol

ya a 1/4 tank of gas and just start it ever so often.. i would start it ever 3-4 weeks.. let it get up to temp and u should be fine!

[taki]

maybe a little Stabil in the tank?

[imahemi]

first are you in a heated garage???

I have stored my magnum for the past 3 years... in a heated garage. I always fill the gas tank and cover it up. I only start min maybe 1-2 times between nov and april. I have never had any issues with it. One thing I also would note... if you are going to start it you really need to get it out and run it. otherwise condensation and is just going to build up in your exhaust and eventually could just hurt it

also search winter storage or similar and you will find may threads on this.


-Ryan

[bigsnake]

I agree with the full tank.

Here are some tips!

Winter Storage
If your car is stored for the in a detached garage you know it gets really cold out there.
You can do the following routine:


1.) Give the vehicle a good end-of-season washing, dry it thoroughly and apply a protective coat of wax.

2.) Leave the fitted car-cover off. Large soft household blankets over the hood, the roof, and the trunk lid perfectly do the trick blocking dust and UV rays.

3.) Make sure the wheel wells and undercarriage is thoroughly cleaned on the last dry days. It's the dirt that cases most rust, as dirt attracts and bind moisture more than a clean surface would

4.) Make sure the rugs are clean and most importantly, dry.

5.) Make sure the right mix of good quality antifreeze is used. Some drain the cooling system (including the radiator) and refill it with a rust-inhibiting antifreeze for winter storage.

6.) Get an oil change and new oil filter right before storage.

7.) If it's stored only for the 3-4 winter monts, fill the gas tank all the way up with the manufacturer's recommended octane gasoline.

8.) Some put their car up on stands to prevent potential "flat spots". I don't think this will be an issue with my Michelins. It probably depends on the tire.

9.) I give the leather seats (not the suede parts) and the dash a good Lexol Leather Cleaner treatment (the orange bottle) right before storage.

10.) Some people hook their battery on a battery charger/maintainer to keep the battery alive. I've never done this and never had a problem.

11.) Although some people suggest to keep the windows cracked just a tad bit, close them if you have mice or other rodents to keep them out.

12.) You mentioned dryer sheets. Some people go as far as place mothballs inside their car, including under the dash, and cover the tailpipe to keep critters out.

13.) Keep it operational. Basically this means periodically start the car, run the heater, or the air conditioner, check the wiper blades, tire pressure, and check the garage floor for signs of leaks, etc...

----------------- Last but not least:





14.) Ideally, on good days (dry, sunny winter day) take the car for a 5 mile run to evaporate the moisture from the engine & exhaust. If not, crank it up every so often to expell moisture.

Also: make sure the drain holes on all doors (bottom) and on the mufflers are free of debris, and open for water drainage.

Then when Spring comes back you will be ready to show your beast off again !

[karfreek]

I have been storing cars since 88 here is my secrets.

Change oil, top off gas tank, park, disconnect battery, put moth balls inside (they ward off mice), cover. That is all you really need to do. IF the battery is strong and you disconnect it, you do not need to start until the spring. It really does no good to do so.

Jay

[dchemi]

Not a pro here, but I have been parking for the winter (yes parking not storing) my Magnum RT since I bought it in June 2004. Every year at the end of the season I wash, wax fill the tank, put in Stabil according to directions and find a nice secluded place to park it. I live in an apartment so I park not store the Magnum for the Winter. Once in a while I wipe the snow off so the apartment managers don't think the vehicle is abandoned. I do not disconnect the battery or put it on jacks and do not start it up just to let it run, if weather permits I do take it out for a ride once or twice during the winter just to remember how sweet it is to drive.

I have never had a problem starting it up after sitting for a month at a time. I do recommend following the instructions in the manual regarding running the A/C prior to storage. I did not do that last fall and this summer when I started using the A/C after parking for the winter I had issues. The O-Rings were dried up and had to be replaced.

Just my 2 cents

Here is a pic of my parked Magnum from last winter.

[ZeGuru]

Wow, you can really see the vanilla in the paint when its caked with snow!