Proper way to store a car

[B4passatglx]

Its almost that time of year again. My 95 Passat is heading for storage next week., indoors but unheated. I have a cover for it too. Any advice for storing cars indoors or even outdoors over the winter. Do I wash and wax now, or just wash? What about tires? I have low profile tires on it now, will I devolp flat spots? Battery? engine maintance? The past couple winters I did a bad job storing it and it takes a good couple days to bring it back. Also should I periodically go and start it to keep things lubricated and how long should I run it for? This is the first winter of storage with the turbocharger on it so is there anything different about storing a turbo car?
How do you guys do it?

[boostin20v]

when I stored my Mk4 the last winter before it decided to combust on me I pulled it into the garage I'd rented, pulled the battery cables, put some stabilizer in the tank and put some of that moisture capture stuff in the foot well. When I went to get it out ~3 months later it needed new plugs but ran well otherwise, no flat spots (car was on concrete floor with wood boards under the tires) or any other issues.

[lotar_6]

Not sure about the turbo, but if you are able to start it periodically, do it. Wash and wax I don't think is all that important since it'll be indoors. It really depends on how you want it to look when you go fire it up! :laugh: If you are unable to fire it up, I've been taught to take each plug out and put some oil in the cylinder to help prevent corrosion of the rings. Of course put the plugs back in... I'm not sure if this does much, but every little thing could help. Other than that you should be golden since it'll be inside.

[RichB]

What I do is put a little gas stabilizer in the tank, nice wheels come off and go to the basement, stock wheels go on and I pump up the tire pressure to to around 42 to 40 psi (minimize any risk of flat spotting the tires). I start and run the car about 2 to 4 times a month (depends on weather because I like to back the car out of the garage when I do this - driveway needs to be dry with no snow on it). I like to let it warm up fully so the oil gets up to temp for around 10 minutes.

[b5crazy]

I Like others have mentioned I add stabilizer to the gas tank, disconnect the battery, and cover the car. Since the garage I store the car in has a dirt floor I also park the car over some very thick plastic sheeting. First year I got the car I started it up at least every month during the winter. Last year I think I started it twice. I'm not sure starting it really matters. Adding air to the tires sounds like a good idea.

[veedubboostn]

I have never used stabilizer or started the cars I've stored... and they usually start right up for me W/no issues... I pull the battery, cause yellow top batterys DO NOT like to sit for any amount of time. and I swap out the wheels for some junk rims I have, put dryer sheets all through-out the inside; to keep out any bugs, and rodents. (they don't like the smell, but you will:wink: ), and cover it.


I have stored the convertible I had for two years like that, and the rado for as long as I've had it, so it works for me... hope it helps you
cheers,
-Jay

[meatwad!!]

how to store a car= insert long wick into gas tank, lite end, run like hell.

[Master_Shake]

how to store a car= insert long wick into gas tank, lite end, run like hell.

:rolleyes:

[b5crazy]

One more thing. I always top off the gas tank so there is very litle air. This is to reduce the amount of condenstation you may get during the winter.

[vwremglx]

I change wheels to stock, fill gas tank and add stabiizer. Run it for a minute or two to mix up the tank and get some of the stabilzer in the gas that is in the lines. I disconnect and remove the battery. I remove it only to have it easily available if another car needs it.

I would wax it now, can't do anything but help. I also throw some leather conditioner on the seats and hang a tree from the mirror.

When spring comes, I turn the key to 'accessory on' 3 or 4 time for 5 sec each to get the oil movin then start her up. Once I get to about 1/4 tank of the gas from storage, I throw in some Jectron drive a few miles then change the oil.

Also a good idea to plug the exhaust tips with rags

I've read conflicting opinions of starting the car during storage. I like to think that it is bad for the car as starting it when the oil has drained out should be done as little as possible, but at the same time letting the fluids move around a little is probably better than them just sitting there. The choice is yours.

[Shiftn4Dubs]

I've read conflicting opinions of starting the car during storage. I like to think that it is bad for the car as starting it when the oil has drained out should be done as little as possible,


You know this is an excellent thought vwremglx, but "They" always say start it once a week or month, but I think if you plan on starting it at all I would do it once a day or not at all, this would keep the internal parts lubed and avoid any metal on metal friction, even if you use Mobil ONE the OIl will eventually drain to the pan and leave the Top half of the engine DRY and that cant be good when you start it. As vwremglx says, its up to the owner.