Storing for winter

[langod]

I finally scored a winter car so I'm going to take my Stang off the road for a few months. I need some advice.
I don't have a garage, so the car will be under a car cover in the back yard. It'll end up covered in snow since I live in NH)

I'm going to change the oil right before I park it.
Should I pull the battery? Or should I get a trickle charger and hook it to the battery in the car for the winter?
Am I better to run it a little every few weeks, or should I not start it at all?

What other things should I do?
Any tips would be appreciated.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Be sure to take precautions against mice. I suggest LOTS of d-con...

 

[mustangkid05]

i would start it like every week or 2

 

[9musTang9er]

well i would put the trickle charge on or take it out cuz the freezing temps will kill your battery, im also storing my car but in a garage but i cover up the tailpipes so no rodents or water gets in. and yes start the car for like 10minutes every week

 

[94GTHO]

stupid question but where else besides the pipes can mice and such get in?

 

[Kilgore Trout]

stupid question but where else besides the pipes can mice and such get in?

They can get everywhere and destroy wires in hard to reach places.

 

[94GTHO]

so what all do you plug and block off when u store it

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Use mouse poison... D-con...

 

[langod]

The mouse poison idea is great -- didn't even think of those little bastards, I get them in my pool shed too.
I'll put some baits around the engine compartment. I'll Probably get some of that fox urine powder and sprinkle it under the car too.

 

[Disturbed One]

Basically last year with my car I just had it sit on the side of the house on the cement. Filled the tank up about 3/4 of the way; put some sta-bil in the gas tank and that was that. I went out about every 2-3 weeks and started the car and let it run up to operating temp and then shut it off. I'd just make sure the car cover your going to use is going to be one for year round cause I don't think you want water getting trapped underneath it sitting all winter long.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

SeaFoam is an excellent fuel stabilizer...

 

[conv91lx]

I one for not starting it at all. After a couple of weeks all the oil that clings to the surfaces easily for a couple days is in the oil pan now. You are dry starting that motor in the cold with cold (thick) oil. I use fogging oil sprayed down the spark plug holes. This oil fogs the cylinder and clings to the surfaces protecting them from rust and protects the cylinder wall until oil pressure rises when you start it up in the spring. Before starting in the spring, I pull my distributer(this might be overkill, but oh well.) and insert an oil pump primer and spin it for a while. This distributes the brand new oil (changed in the fall) throughout the motor without it spinning. Gotta use sta-bil too. Hit all my plastic, vinyl,leather and rubber parts with a heavy coat of armor all also. I pull my battery and put it in a nice warm place. Don't completely block off your tailpipes, use some screen or something that will let air flow. Don't wanna trap any moisture in there. I you wanna go all the way, you could jack it up and put it on jack stands. This takes the weight off the springs and tires. I've never bothered with that one though. I don't fill my tank, gasoline looses it octane rating with time. My car needs 93 octane or bad things could happen. So, I leave it at about 1/4 with some sta-bil and some water absorbing additive. Sorry so long.

 

[conv91lx]

Sorry, forgot in my last post, I was in the 4.6 tech. No dist. for you guys to pull is there? Next best thing, disable the ignition and let it turn over for a while without it running. This will get the oil pressure up, without the stress of actually firing/running.

 

[Dusstbuster]

My advice would be to pull the plugs and use fogging oil on each cylinder. Don't start the car at all til its ready to run for the summer. Also DONT change your oil now, it'll more than likely get water in it while it sits and will just need tob e changed again in the spring. Leave crap oil in it for now and change it when it's going to be driven all the time. Use plenty of D-Con and do a FULL clean inside and out so there aren't any food crumbs and stuff for any rodents to be attracted to. Disconnect the battery and you're set.

 

[conv91lx]

I don't know, I say change that oil. Yes, if it's parked outside it may get some condensation in it. If thats the case, go buy the cheapest oil on the shelf and put it in. Let it run for a few minutes with the new oil and shut her down for the winter. Come spring put in the good stuff and go. Get that nasty crap out of my oil pan before it sits all winter. Used oil will have gas and acids and all kinds of bad stuff in it. Again just my .02.

 

[mrvax]

Rodents do not need food to use a car for a new home. I am glad I moved to Florida where I don't have to worry about the winter.