I will be storing my car this year. Since i have another vehicle to drive, im not going to drive my Lexus through the winter. My question is, what should be done? last year i did it, the battery was dead when i picked it up. Is it bad to take the battery out for 5-6 months? anything else that should be done? gas stabil? spray the rims with wd-40? anything else? It will be stored in a barn?

Thanks
Mike

 

I'm no expert, but maybe you should store it resting on jack stands to get the wheels off the ground.

For 5-6 months you might even consider draining the engine and tranny oil out of it (to prevent sludge build up) and leaving as near empty of gas as possible.

 

I was going to fill the tank up, to coat the complete inside of the tank(to prevent rust), along with some stabil ran through the system. and just roll the car onto some plywood, since the ground is soft, im not worried about flat spots. I would rather not drain the fluids. what about keeping mice away? I heard fabric softner pads. they hate the smell, its better than moth *****.

Mike

 

Mike,

I'm moving your post to the maintenance section.

There was a thread started exactly like yours a couple of days ago I found some informative winter storage links for. Link -->CLICK HERE

 

I usally park and fly for long term trip...usally airport...
I always full the tank and wash and wax before I park...
anything else?

 

I've used park and fly for longer-term parking in the past, but I started putting a car cover on my car when I left it there. Near the airport there usually is all sorts of crap that rains down on your car from planes flying overhead/nearby.

If you're parking in the winter, make sure you get your antifreeze tested/changed before leaving your car that long.

I've been traveling on a weekly basis for my job for 13 years and decided that a limo service is a much better deal than leaving your car parked at a lot. Of course if you live in NYC and are paying for parking every day anyway, that might not be true for you (leaving my car at home in the garage is cheaper and safer).

 

Quote:

For 5-6 months you might even consider draining the engine and tranny oil out of it (to prevent sludge build up) and leaving as near empty of gas as possible.

DO NOT DRAIN YOUR OIL, TRANNY AND GAS before your store.
You want to do the exact opposite.

Go for an oil change, go fill your gas to the top. GO home. run your a/c, heat, wipers, windows... basically all electronics. (make sure u drive for at least 16km so your exhaust system has burned all the fliuds) wash your car inside and out. lube the doors. make sure your tires are filled at recommended psi. put in fuel stabalizer , jack your car up. lower it on 4 stands. take off wheels (loosen lug nuts while car is still on ground) put car cover on.

 

hey mike, for your battery problem, you might want to look into getting a battery conditioner. it basically gives your battery a trickle charge all winter long to keep it charged.