Winter storage
Thread Starter
Guest
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 507
Likes: 2
Winter storage
Did a search, didn't see anything in this section pertaining to the IS-C.
Bought our '13 IS250C this summer, not driving it in the winter with RWD and those Michelin Pilots. Wife will drive the old Highlander instead. I've read all the sites I care to about generic vehicle storage, wondering if there is anything specific to the IS. This will be going into a local storage unit, so out of the weather. Will probably get a cover for it, wondering if anybody has any suggestions for one that fits well, too many to choose from on Amazon. There's no power in the unit so I was planning to remove the battery and take it home to go on a maintainer.
Windows down a little? Anything else I should think about? Thanks.
Bought our '13 IS250C this summer, not driving it in the winter with RWD and those Michelin Pilots. Wife will drive the old Highlander instead. I've read all the sites I care to about generic vehicle storage, wondering if there is anything specific to the IS. This will be going into a local storage unit, so out of the weather. Will probably get a cover for it, wondering if anybody has any suggestions for one that fits well, too many to choose from on Amazon. There's no power in the unit so I was planning to remove the battery and take it home to go on a maintainer.
Windows down a little? Anything else I should think about? Thanks.
Lead Lap
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 415
Likes: 28
From: PA
Only thing I can warn you of is what I read. If you leave the battery off for an extended time, some settings that normally would not be lost during a short loss of battery will be reset. Apparently the control units in our cars have a super cap to maintain some nonvolatile settings. You may well run into all sorts of things like the windows needing calibration, steering calibration and of course it'll drive quite different for a while after you get it back on the road until it learns your driving style again.
Lead Lap
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 415
Likes: 28
From: PA
...and by the way, unless you have something specifically related to the convertible version of our cars, I suggest you post in the regular forum. The C-subforum gets so little attention. Your current topic would relate to all IS250's and probably IS350's as they share a lot of the same electronics.
Thread Starter
Guest
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 507
Likes: 2
...and by the way, unless you have something specifically related to the convertible version of our cars, I suggest you post in the regular forum. The C-subforum gets so little attention. Your current topic would relate to all IS250's and probably IS350's as they share a lot of the same electronics.
Rookie
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 60
Likes: 6
From: MD
Only thing I can warn you of is what I read. If you leave the battery off for an extended time, some settings that normally would not be lost during a short loss of battery will be reset. Apparently the control units in our cars have a super cap to maintain some nonvolatile settings. You may well run into all sorts of things like the windows needing calibration, steering calibration and of course it'll drive quite different for a while after you get it back on the road until it learns your driving style again.
Thread Starter
Guest
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 507
Likes: 2
I generally agree that storage is not good for a car. But driving it in the winter on salty roads is worse. The other issue for us is we only have a 2-car garage, and I don't want my wife to have her winter car parked outside, she has a bad leg and I don't want to risk her falling and making it worse. It also gets in the way when clearing snow.
Car is in storage now, light cover on it, lots of dryer sheets around inside, moth ***** on the floor. Spare battery on a long cord keeping the various brains alive, I'll swap the batteries probably once a month or so.
Car is in storage now, light cover on it, lots of dryer sheets around inside, moth ***** on the floor. Spare battery on a long cord keeping the various brains alive, I'll swap the batteries probably once a month or so.
Thread Starter
Guest
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 507
Likes: 2
Thought I'd update this thread, just as an FYI...
As posted above, I made an extension to the battery cables, so I could leave the battery outside the car, sitting on the floor of the storage unit, and put a cover on the car. I kept the "spare" battery in the garage at home on a trickle charge, on a timer so it would run for about an hour a day. I swapped the batteries about every 6 weeks or so. I also pulled out the air cleaner element, lots of dryer sheets under the hood and inside, and over-inflated the tires to about 45 psi. Today I went over and pulled the cover off, put the regular battery back under the hood (freshly topped off), re-installed the air cleaner, then the car fired right up, no issues. I think the only memory setting that got lost was the seat positions.
Took the car on a nice drive this afternoon, so good to have it back.
As posted above, I made an extension to the battery cables, so I could leave the battery outside the car, sitting on the floor of the storage unit, and put a cover on the car. I kept the "spare" battery in the garage at home on a trickle charge, on a timer so it would run for about an hour a day. I swapped the batteries about every 6 weeks or so. I also pulled out the air cleaner element, lots of dryer sheets under the hood and inside, and over-inflated the tires to about 45 psi. Today I went over and pulled the cover off, put the regular battery back under the hood (freshly topped off), re-installed the air cleaner, then the car fired right up, no issues. I think the only memory setting that got lost was the seat positions.
Took the car on a nice drive this afternoon, so good to have it back.
Trending Topics
Nice to see you from Ih8mud
we have 11 cars and 7 motorcycles
7 of the cars usually stored and driven once every 6 months
trickle charger and stabil is alll is do
never had any issues last 10 years
we have 11 cars and 7 motorcycles
7 of the cars usually stored and driven once every 6 months
trickle charger and stabil is alll is do
never had any issues last 10 years
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
Lexus NX 350h: A Fuel-Sipping Secret Hot Hatch???
Michael S. Palmer
5 Best & 5 Worst Lexus Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
Top 5 Hottest Lexus & Toyotas in 2026 (Hardest To Buy)
Brett Foote
2026 Lexus IS 350 F Sport Review: The Last of Its Kind Still Rocks
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Confusing Things Lexus Has Ever Done!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Lexus ES Review: Lexus Re-Embraces Founding Principles
Michael S. Palmer
10 Lexus Bargains That are Cheaper Than a New Toyota RAV4
Joe Kucinski
8 Weirdest Things Lexus Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
10 Lexus Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Guest
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 507
Likes: 2
The 2011 I traded? No, it looks like it's still listed on the dealer site. Price has dropped a little:
https://www.bmwofgreenwich.com/detai...-17479271.html
I see they peeled off the iH8MUD sticker I had on the rear quarter window.
I sent the salesman a big envelope of all the maintenance records, I hope the new owner gets it.
This '15 is sooo nice, geez I'm glad I upgraded. I just got the title in the mail today, still waiting on registration stickers.
https://www.bmwofgreenwich.com/detai...-17479271.html
I see they peeled off the iH8MUD sticker I had on the rear quarter window.
I sent the salesman a big envelope of all the maintenance records, I hope the new owner gets it.This '15 is sooo nice, geez I'm glad I upgraded. I just got the title in the mail today, still waiting on registration stickers.
Thread Starter
Guest
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 507
Likes: 2
Oh, yes. My '87 pickup that's in my avatar. Sold to a MUDDER last Fall, he had it shipped to Colorado, where it is enjoying semi-retirement. I miss that truck dearly, owned if for 15 years, wrenched every single bolt. But I'm enjoying driving and modifying the 200 more.
I can't believe how many vehicles I've been through in the last 12 months. Now I have an '03 Camry I'm trying to sell, and I'm gonna try to convince the wife that it's time to upgrade the Highlander this summer.
I can't believe how many vehicles I've been through in the last 12 months. Now I have an '03 Camry I'm trying to sell, and I'm gonna try to convince the wife that it's time to upgrade the Highlander this summer.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post