• Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech

Winter Storage

  • Thread starter Thread starter swl987
  • Start date Start date Nov 8, 2005
S

swl987

Member
May 6, 2004
200
0
16
Cleveland,Oh
Nov 8, 2005
#1
  • Nov 8, 2005
  • #1
i store my car in my garage for the winter. i start it up every week or two and let it warm up. is there any precautions i should take as far as preventetive maintenance? is it true that you should fill up your gas tank so moisture does'nt build up? the car has low miles if that matters.
 

sgarlic

Founding Member
Apr 21, 2001
3,085
1
56
Nov 8, 2005
#2
  • Nov 8, 2005
  • #2
You could put some fuel stablizer in there if you feel the need. If you're going to start it all the time you probably won't need to, but it's good insurance. Keeping it off the ground can help too, on jackstands so the tires don't touch the ground.
 

timeless2

Vi Veri Veni Versum Vicus Vici
Admin Dude
Nov 29, 1999
1,366
202
154
the Shadow Gallery
Nov 8, 2005
#3
  • Nov 8, 2005
  • #3
I would actually drive it every couple of weeks, if the roads are dry. The salt won't cling, just create dust, if it's dry and you will be fine.

It will help your drivetrain and braking system stay limber. The worst thing a car can do is sit and dry up.
 

xseler8

Member
May 4, 2004
619
0
17
Montgomery County,Pa.
Nov 8, 2005
#4
  • Nov 8, 2005
  • #4
Full tank of gas is good. I don't touch mine once winter sets in. Battery usually
dies and I use a jump start battery to get it going. My biggest concern is mice.
I leave trays of moth balls under the car & dryer sheets in the engine bay(mice are suppose to not like the sheets...don't know how accurate that is)and some dryer sheets on the car floor.Smells good. Other than that,nothing else. I leave the tires fully inflated. I have done the same thing for 3 years and so far so good. If you can drive it once in a while it will keep the battery charged.
 

kurst

Founding Member
Sep 9, 2001
764
0
0
New Orleans, LA
Nov 8, 2005
#5
  • Nov 8, 2005
  • #5
You should be fine, but I'd invest in a bottle of STA-BIL just to be on the safe side. Cheap insurance.
 
S

stang74

Member
Feb 12, 2004
76
0
6
NV
Nov 8, 2005
#6
  • Nov 8, 2005
  • #6
don't start it if your not gonna run the car to full temp to burn off moisture. pump up the tire pressure to maximum recomended to avoid flat spots, and trickle charge your battery every couple weeks. full tank of gas also with stabil. and leave the e-brake down so you dont stretch the cable overtime
 
B

BLUE03GT

New Member
Jul 13, 2003
281
0
0
Sunnyvale, Ca.
Nov 8, 2005
#7
  • Nov 8, 2005
  • #7
move to California... no garaging needed... case closed
 

sgarlic

Founding Member
Apr 21, 2001
3,085
1
56
Nov 8, 2005
#8
  • Nov 8, 2005
  • #8
.. or AZ.
 

jivepepper

Founding Member
Jun 19, 2002
776
5
18
Under a Sombrero. in WV.
Nov 9, 2005
#9
  • Nov 9, 2005
  • #9
sgarlic said:
.. or AZ.
Click to expand...

My grandparents live in the Phoenix area in sun city.
I had an uncle in the Tucson area. I have been there about 10 times in ten years this summer was the first time I was there when it was almost a 120*. I also like going to Nogales. But if you don't want your car cooked to death you better at least have a carport.
 

Serper3

New Member
Nov 1, 2005
120
0
0
Sunnyvale, Ca Bay Area close to san francisco
Nov 9, 2005
#10
  • Nov 9, 2005
  • #10
BLUE03GT said:
move to California... no garaging needed... case closed
Click to expand...

cali kicks ass. esp if ur in the bay..(repin the 408)
 

V8SRGRT

New Member
Aug 25, 2004
70
0
0
MI
Nov 9, 2005
#11
  • Nov 9, 2005
  • #11
I put mine away every winter.....leave e-brake off, disconnect battery, sta-bil for gas, crack the windows so the seals do not get memory, dryer sheets under hood,a bar of irish spring in the car. Its parked on carpet with a tarp underneath to keep the moisture from building up under the car,flannel sheets under a car cover. i am not sure about the jack stands.....what if your house were to catch on fire and you wanted to ge the car out?? answer..SOL. At least you have a chance with the car on the ground.
 

CanadaStang

New Member
Sep 7, 2003
2,093
1
0
Mb
Nov 9, 2005
#12
  • Nov 9, 2005
  • #12
stang74 said:
don't start it if your not gonna run the car to full temp to burn off moisture. pump up the tire pressure to maximum recomended to avoid flat spots, and trickle charge your battery every couple weeks. full tank of gas also with stabil. and leave the e-brake down so you dont stretch the cable overtime
Click to expand...
Just starting it and shutting it off again will create acidic condensation that's rather harsh on your engine and exhaust system.
 

DMAN302

My mom says thanks for the pearl necklace.
Nov 8, 2003
2,120
2
59
windsor, Canada
Nov 9, 2005
#13
  • Nov 9, 2005
  • #13
I never start mine from nov to april..condensation can collect in the engine and in the exhaust. I would fill the tank, pull the battery, steel wool in the exhaust(keeps mice out), dryer sheets in the interior(keeps bad smell out) and be done with it.
 

CanadaStang

New Member
Sep 7, 2003
2,093
1
0
Mb
Nov 9, 2005
#14
  • Nov 9, 2005
  • #14
A few years ago I had mice build a nest in my snowmobile, after taking it out my dad had said that he heard moth balls will keep the mice away and may be worth a try. Unfortunately, a few days later I went to check on my snowmobile and found a new nest, only this time the mouse had gatherd up all the moth balls and had incorporated them into the new nest Not only did it not work but while out snowmobiling the next winter everytime I lifted the hood it smelt like an old lady's closet
 

timeless2

Vi Veri Veni Versum Vicus Vici
Admin Dude
Nov 29, 1999
1,366
202
154
the Shadow Gallery
Nov 9, 2005
#15
  • Nov 9, 2005
  • #15
CanadaStang said:
A few years ago I had mice build a nest in my snowmobile, after taking it out my dad had said that he heard moth balls will keep the mice away and may be worth a try. Unfortunately, a few days later I went to check on my snowmobile and found a new nest, only this time the mouse had gatherd up all the moth balls and had incorporated them into the new nest Not only did it not work but while out snowmobiling the next winter everytime I lifted the hood it smelt like an old lady's closet
Click to expand...

Owned by rodents.
 

xseler8

Member
May 4, 2004
619
0
17
Montgomery County,Pa.
Nov 9, 2005
#16
  • Nov 9, 2005
  • #16
CanadaStang said:
A few years ago I had mice build a nest in my snowmobile, after taking it out my dad had said that he heard moth balls will keep the mice away and may be worth a try. Unfortunately, a few days later I went to check on my snowmobile and found a new nest, only this time the mouse had gatherd up all the moth balls and had incorporated them into the new nest Not only did it not work but while out snowmobiling the next winter everytime I lifted the hood it smelt like an old lady's closet
Click to expand...
The mice don't have a moth problem with their clothes
 

MyEarsHurt

New Member
May 21, 2004
918
0
0
Nov 9, 2005
#17
  • Nov 9, 2005
  • #17
I use stabil in a full tank of gas, and put some strong smelling soap on the floorboards as i hear it prevents mice from entering the car. I dont start mine up until spring has arrived, it sits in silence from mid november-april
 

jgarcea

New Member
Nov 8, 2005
15
0
0
Nov 20, 2005
#18
  • Nov 20, 2005
  • #18
Where is the best location for the jack stands?
 
T

tjm73

Founding Member
Aug 3, 2000
2,418
2
48
Rush, NY
Nov 20, 2005
#19
  • Nov 20, 2005
  • #19


This comes up every year and I laugh every year. I pull my car itneh garage, unhook the battery, put moth balls in the trunk interior and engine compartment (fresh new ones every year), put the cover on it and close the door behind me. Mice only take moth balls after they lose their "stink".

Stabil is a joke and not needed.
 

CanadaStang

New Member
Sep 7, 2003
2,093
1
0
Mb
Nov 20, 2005
#20
  • Nov 20, 2005
  • #20
tjm73 said:


This comes up every year and I laugh every year. I pull my car itneh garage, unhook the battery, put moth balls in the trunk interior and engine compartment (fresh new ones every year), put the cover on it and close the door behind me. Mice only take moth balls after they lose their "stink".

Stabil is a joke and not needed.
Click to expand...
The moth balls I put in my snowmobile were only there 3 days before the mice took them New box too!!
You don't really need Stable unless the car is parked over the summer [ gas goes bad quickly in higher temps and stable will make it last about 3 times longer before going bad], if the car is stored in a cool place for the winter months Stable really isn't needed.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Fox Ideas for Theft Deterrence in Storage
  • Clutchfork
  • Nov 6, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2
Replies
38
Views
1K
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Dec 1, 2025
91AOD5.0LX
M
warmed up, hard re-starting on hot days
  • michaelleewebb
  • Mar 26, 2026
  • SN95 V6 Mustang Tech
Replies
9
Views
205
SN95 V6 Mustang Tech Mar 29, 2026
michaelleewebb
M
B
Engine Another no start after washing engine bay
  • bruno
  • Apr 26, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
  • 2
Replies
24
Views
482
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech May 7, 2026
AeroCoupe
P1450 issue 2015 ecoboost pp
  • matthewt
  • Apr 19, 2025
  • 2015 - 2023 (S550) Mustang -General/Talk
Replies
15
Views
1K
2015 - 2023 (S550) Mustang -General/Talk Apr 22, 2025
90sickfox
Who the hell puts the wrong spark plugs in a 3.8L?
  • snowstang
  • Mar 25, 2026
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
12
Views
366
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Apr 3, 2026
LILCBRA
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?