Need help putting a car in hibernation mode for the winter
#1
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
Need help putting a car in hibernation mode for the winter
I’m sure I’ll get some good responses from you guys living up north….specially those with summer toys.
Ok, I plan to put my GS in hibernation mode for the next 90 days. I just washed it and put a car cover on it. Obviously, I don't have a garage, so it's sitting out in the elements with a car cover on (in my driveway).
Should I be adding fuel stabilizers? How about the battery? It seems that if I don’t drive the car for over 2 weeks, the battery gets fully drained [maybe it’s the 2 way pager alarm (Viper)].
Anything else I need to know? Tires? Should it put it up on jack stands so no one can come and tow it away?
Any and all advice welcomed.
Thanks.
Cadd
Ok, I plan to put my GS in hibernation mode for the next 90 days. I just washed it and put a car cover on it. Obviously, I don't have a garage, so it's sitting out in the elements with a car cover on (in my driveway).
Should I be adding fuel stabilizers? How about the battery? It seems that if I don’t drive the car for over 2 weeks, the battery gets fully drained [maybe it’s the 2 way pager alarm (Viper)].
Anything else I need to know? Tires? Should it put it up on jack stands so no one can come and tow it away?
Any and all advice welcomed.
Thanks.
Cadd
#4
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This is my winter storage rundown (I have a garage, but most applies anyway)
1) Fill with gas
2) Add fuel stabalizer and run the car for 10 minutes
3) Fill tires with Nitrogen (this will prevent flat spots if you don't put it on jacks). FWIW Costco does this free here.
4) Change the oil
5) Wash/wax
6) Put a box of baking powder int he car (keeps moisture from building up)
7) Disconect the battery
8) Steel wool in the exhaust (keeps rodents out)
9) Cover
10) Beers.
Oh, remember if you have an a/t not to engage the emergency brake. I did that once many years ago and my pads fuesed. It sucked.
If you're really **** you can change all the fluids.
Cheers.
1) Fill with gas
2) Add fuel stabalizer and run the car for 10 minutes
3) Fill tires with Nitrogen (this will prevent flat spots if you don't put it on jacks). FWIW Costco does this free here.
4) Change the oil
5) Wash/wax
6) Put a box of baking powder int he car (keeps moisture from building up)
7) Disconect the battery
8) Steel wool in the exhaust (keeps rodents out)
9) Cover
10) Beers.
Oh, remember if you have an a/t not to engage the emergency brake. I did that once many years ago and my pads fuesed. It sucked.
If you're really **** you can change all the fluids.
Cheers.
#6
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (2)
Originally Posted by sha4000
you dont need to add any fuel stabilizer b/c 90 days isnt going to make the gas go bad
#7
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
Thanks for the tips guys. A few more question:
- I am NOT going to disconnect the battery, since it's outside, I want my alarms to be activated. I guess I can start the car and let it idle for 10 - 15 minutes once a week. Is this a good idea? Can this do harm? Or maybe I should get a trickle charger or something like that.....but the problem is, the car is outdoors, and I'm not too crazy about running power extension cords outside. Watch me get electrocuted when it rains or snows!
- I've never used fuel stabilizers before, anyone have any recommendations on brands?
- Should I fill it up with gas? It's sitting at 50% right now.
- Baking powder....should I open the box and just leave the box in the car? I would hate it if it spills!
- I am NOT going to disconnect the battery, since it's outside, I want my alarms to be activated. I guess I can start the car and let it idle for 10 - 15 minutes once a week. Is this a good idea? Can this do harm? Or maybe I should get a trickle charger or something like that.....but the problem is, the car is outdoors, and I'm not too crazy about running power extension cords outside. Watch me get electrocuted when it rains or snows!
- I've never used fuel stabilizers before, anyone have any recommendations on brands?
- Should I fill it up with gas? It's sitting at 50% right now.
- Baking powder....should I open the box and just leave the box in the car? I would hate it if it spills!
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#8
Forum Administrator
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Cadd
I've been updating my FAQ links for winter storage, here are a few you can find using search . I pretty much used 'winter storage' as the keyword to gather these, some very detailed.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...threadid=60527
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...threadid=60855
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...winter+storage
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...winter+storage
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...winter+storage
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...winter+storage
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...winter+storage
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...winter+storage
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...winter+storage
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...25#post1626025
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=191606
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=191371 ** this thread
I've been updating my FAQ links for winter storage, here are a few you can find using search . I pretty much used 'winter storage' as the keyword to gather these, some very detailed.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...threadid=60527
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...threadid=60855
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...winter+storage
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...winter+storage
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...winter+storage
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...winter+storage
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...winter+storage
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...winter+storage
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...winter+storage
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...25#post1626025
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=191606
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=191371 ** this thread
#9
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Originally Posted by Cadd
Thanks for the tips guys. A few more question:
- I am NOT going to disconnect the battery, since it's outside, I want my alarms to be activated. I guess I can start the car and let it idle for 10 - 15 minutes once a week. Is this a good idea? Can this do harm? Or maybe I should get a trickle charger or something like that.....but the problem is, the car is outdoors, and I'm not too crazy about running power extension cords outside. Watch me get electrocuted when it rains or snows!
- I've never used fuel stabilizers before, anyone have any recommendations on brands?
- Should I fill it up with gas? It's sitting at 50% right now.
- Baking powder....should I open the box and just leave the box in the car? I would hate it if it spills!
- I am NOT going to disconnect the battery, since it's outside, I want my alarms to be activated. I guess I can start the car and let it idle for 10 - 15 minutes once a week. Is this a good idea? Can this do harm? Or maybe I should get a trickle charger or something like that.....but the problem is, the car is outdoors, and I'm not too crazy about running power extension cords outside. Watch me get electrocuted when it rains or snows!
- I've never used fuel stabilizers before, anyone have any recommendations on brands?
- Should I fill it up with gas? It's sitting at 50% right now.
- Baking powder....should I open the box and just leave the box in the car? I would hate it if it spills!
The baking powder - most baking poweder that is specfically for keeping fridges fresh have an opening that has a pourous film over it, so if it tips nothing spills out.
#11
Lexus Champion
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I personally would leave the battery connected and start it once a week like you said, fill the tank and add stabilizer. They are pretty much all the same stuff, just use a recognizable name. And running it long enough after will get the stabilizer into the lines as well. all good ideas.
BTW, did you ever catch the idiot that was vandalizing your vehicles???
BTW, did you ever catch the idiot that was vandalizing your vehicles???
#12
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I would NOT start up the car every few weeks. Idling that long is bad for the engine. Also if you are only idling for 10-15 mins, the engine will get warm but the exhaust system will retain moisture.
My suggestion is that if you are storing it... store it. Don't touch it.
Nitrogen in the tires? I don't think that helps either. I would however make sure they are sitting at their recommended PSI. Flat spots are really a thing of the past.
My suggestion is that if you are storing it... store it. Don't touch it.
Nitrogen in the tires? I don't think that helps either. I would however make sure they are sitting at their recommended PSI. Flat spots are really a thing of the past.
#13
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by ebruce2
BTW, did you ever catch the idiot that was vandalizing your vehicles???
I'm not complaining, but in some ways, I wished I caught those a-holes on film.
Right now, both my cars are on camera 24/7/365. I'm just waiting to see how long it takes for the VCR to overheat & explode
#15
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Originally Posted by bizzy928
I would NOT start up the car every few weeks. Idling that long is bad for the engine. Also if you are only idling for 10-15 mins, the engine will get warm but the exhaust system will retain moisture.
My suggestion is that if you are storing it... store it. Don't touch it.
Nitrogen in the tires? I don't think that helps either. I would however make sure they are sitting at their recommended PSI. Flat spots are really a thing of the past.
My suggestion is that if you are storing it... store it. Don't touch it.
Nitrogen in the tires? I don't think that helps either. I would however make sure they are sitting at their recommended PSI. Flat spots are really a thing of the past.
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