How do you Winterize a Stang?

TweekedGT

New Member

Jul 22, 2004

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Alberta

Oct 28, 2004

#1

• Oct 28, 2004

• #1

Hallo Evrybody! How do you winterize a stang? i am parking mine pretty quick but over the years have really done nothing special when I park it. i usually end up with a dead battery in the spring. This year I'd like to go all out and take good care of my baby when i park it. I have no option, it has to stay ouside during the winter. i bought a car cover and plan on removing the battery. What else should i do? Full gas tank i assume so the tank won't rust. What else to keep the car in the best shape? Any ideas?

 

tomustang

Psychotic Member

Founding Member

Jun 8, 2000

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McLean Hospital

Oct 29, 2004

#2

• Oct 29, 2004

• #2

start it up once in a while, for like 20min

 

GelatiCruiser

Founding Member

Jun 7, 2002

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1 Mile South of Somewhere.

Oct 29, 2004

#3

• Oct 29, 2004

• #3

You can also use something like Vaseline on the rubber seals to keep them from freezing/drying/cracking.

 

urban96

bubb rubb says:"woo woooooo"

Founding Member

Sep 24, 2002

3,464

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69

Syracuse, NY

Oct 29, 2004

#4

• Oct 29, 2004

• #4

changed oil, full tank of gas w/stabilizer, disconnect batt, left windows down a bit, coverd it... about all i can think of

 

H

heelz19

New Member

Jan 5, 2003

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Auburn, MA

Oct 29, 2004

#5

• Oct 29, 2004

• #5

if it is outside i would put a few moth balls under it. It keeps away any kind of animals that would try and go inside of it and live.

Matt

 

V8SRGRT

New Member

Aug 25, 2004

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MI

Oct 29, 2004

#6

• Oct 29, 2004

• #6

urban96 said:

changed oil, full tank of gas w/stabilizer, disconnect batt, left windows down a bit, coverd it... about all i can think of

Click to expand...

Why would you leave the windows down a bit???? Anyways i agree with all other comments made except i would let it run longer than 20 minutes....probably 40 to 45 minutes. You wanna make sure if you start it that all the condensate trapped in the muffler and exhaust pipes is evaporated out or it could start premature rusting of your exhaust components. I do not plan on starting mine at all this winter.....Just letting her hibernate quietly....

 

nickthegenius

Active Member

Dec 23, 2002

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38

Elwood, IN

Oct 29, 2004

#7

• Oct 29, 2004

• #7

Last year, I kind of parked mine. If there was a nice day on the weekend with no snow on the ground, I would take the car for a short 10-15 mile drive and park it again. Otherwise, I just let it sit in the garage with the tank topped off and the correct amount of Stabil additive in the gas.

 

DoctorGeek97GT

New Member

Feb 24, 2003

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Ottawa

Oct 29, 2004

#8

• Oct 29, 2004

• #8

If you're not going to put the car up on blocks, then over-inflate the tires to avoid flat-spotting them.

 

ToplessStang

Member

Mar 7, 2004

591

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17

Montreal, Canada

Oct 29, 2004

#9

• Oct 29, 2004

• #9

Fill up with gas and add the right amount stabil in the tank. Run the engine for about 15 mins. to get that treated fuel to the injectors. I then change the oil, remove the spark plugs and spray Engine Store in the cylinders. Turn engine over (without starting) to get the Engine Store stuff on the cylinder walls. I take apart brake pads and lube the sliders and brackets, especially the back, they always seize up. I disconnect the battery, unclamp the soft top to get rid of the tension from it. Wash and wax it, add 44 PSI to the tires and last but not least, cover it. To me, starting it once and a while does more harm than good. Startup after a week not running causes the most wear. Other than that, talk to it once a week and she'll be fine .

 

TweekedGT

New Member

Jul 22, 2004

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Alberta

Oct 29, 2004

#10

• Oct 29, 2004

• #10

Thanks guys! I'm not going to put it on blocks so i'll pump the tires up real good. I'll go buy some stabilizer too. I am going to miss that car in the winter. I think I like it way too much but it is so damn fun to drive.

 

M

mustangfan36

New Member

Oct 16, 2004

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georgia

Oct 30, 2004

#11

• Oct 30, 2004

• #11

your other option is to move down south and drive it all year !!!

 

MAC[H]Z

New Member

Mar 9, 2004

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NH

Oct 30, 2004

#12

• Oct 30, 2004

• #12

TweekedGT said:

Thanks guys! I'm not going to put it on blocks so i'll pump the tires up real good. I'll go buy some stabilizer too. I am going to miss that car in the winter. I think I like it way too much but it is so damn fun to drive.

Click to expand...

Unless your car is going to sit for years don't bother with putting your car on blocks or over inflating the tires. Thats for old school cars with bias tires, the new radial tires don't have this problem.

I would suggest not starting it at all unless you are going to drive it as you will build up condensation in the pipes that can lead to rust. I plug the exhaust pipes, place moth balls around the outside and shavings of zest soap on the inside in a cup. Fill the tank, remove the battery and store it in a warmer place.

 

sveet

Founding Member

Jun 8, 2002

703

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Snow Belt!

Oct 30, 2004

#13

• Oct 30, 2004

• #13

This to to eveyone who says to not start it and let it run at all.

Arn't you concerned about gaskets and seals drying out?

This is why I have always started it about once per month and let it run about 1/2 hour.

I agree that the wear internally at start-up probably isn't the best, but I am always worried about the gaskets and oil leaks, etc....

 

1low03gt

20+ Year Stangneter

May 24, 2004

708

11

38

Cold Hell,Ontario,Canada!!

Oct 30, 2004

#14

• Oct 30, 2004

• #14

I just put mine away last sunday.
What i did is got fresh oil in her,full tank of fresh sunoco ultra 94 with fuel stabalizer,over inflated the tires,put banking soda in a few containers,and put one in the trunk,a few in the passenger comparment,and one on the engine to absorb moister if any will accure,i put moth balls in the tailpipes,and under,aswell around the stang,pulled the batterie out.Then i placed a car cover over her,and will not touch her 'til i bring her out in spring.
And starting her once in awhile is not good,especially if you do not plan on doing it frequently,not good for the cylinder walls,and it contaminates the fresh oil you put in her for the little start ups you will be doing.If you do plan on starting it,do so more then an 20 min.Also,if you do not plan on moving it around,what is the sence in starting her .

 

1low03gt

20+ Year Stangneter

May 24, 2004

708

11

38

Cold Hell,Ontario,Canada!!

Oct 30, 2004

#15

• Oct 30, 2004

• #15

sveet said:

This to to eveyone who says to not start it and let it run at all.

Arn't you concerned about gaskets and seals drying out?

This is why I have always started it about once per month and let it run about 1/2 hour.

I agree that the wear internally at start-up probably isn't the best, but I am always worried about the gaskets and oil leaks, etc....

Click to expand...

I'd rather replace a few gaskets,then put ware in the internals .
Just my two cents.Would be cheaper.

 

OD

Founding Member

Aug 18, 1998

323

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Calgary, Ab Canada

Oct 30, 2004

#16

• Oct 30, 2004

• #16

i put soap in spots in the engine bay, mice hate the smell of soap so they wont chew your wires. Also, put some steel wool in the exhaust tips... mice wont get in your exhaust and make a nest. Put a sheet of poly (thin plastic) under the car if it is being parked on concrete, this will help with the moisture under the car so it wont rust..

thats all i can think of....