winter storage question
Thread Starter
Pit Crew
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 100
Likes: 3
From: wi
winter storage question
my 99 rx300 will sit in my cold wisconsin garage for 3 winter months. should i change the oil before i do this?? should i have someone start it and let it idle for 1/2 hour per week while i am gone?? i have 5 vehicles, so it is impractical to have all 5 af them driven for 1/2 hour each. should i just let them all sit? anything else ei ought to do? we use gasohol in wisconsin; 10% alcohol; about the same as the blood level of so many of our drivers.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,723
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From: NJ
Change the oil before hand if it's been in use for a while. You don't want the contaminants in the oil sitting around.
DO NOT start it up once per week! Horrible idea! DO NOT start it till you are ready to start driving it daily.
3 months isn't a long time, so don't overthink it.
DO NOT start it up once per week! Horrible idea! DO NOT start it till you are ready to start driving it daily.
3 months isn't a long time, so don't overthink it.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,110
Likes: 77
From: OH
Change the oil before hand if it's been in use for a while. You don't want the contaminants in the oil sitting around.
DO NOT start it up once per week! Horrible idea! DO NOT start it till you are ready to start driving it daily.
3 months isn't a long time, so don't overthink it.
DO NOT start it up once per week! Horrible idea! DO NOT start it till you are ready to start driving it daily.
3 months isn't a long time, so don't overthink it.
Maybe pump the tires up to 40PSI, might want to consider a battery tender if it easy to find an outlet. Gas stabilizer is probably overkill for 3 months.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,567
Likes: 87
From: NJ
As carguy mentioned, a battery tender would be a good idea.
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 1,385
From: Austin, TX
One thing not mentioned is the expected temperature min and max the vehicle would be subjected and would it in a garage or outside.
I would also suggest a thin coat of leather treatment. If exposed to elements a thin coat of wax and as much protection form UV as possible.
Salim
I would also suggest a thin coat of leather treatment. If exposed to elements a thin coat of wax and as much protection form UV as possible.
Salim
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,723
Likes: 114
From: NJ
If you do put a rag in your tailpipe to stop rodents, remember to remove it.
It's best to make a list of things you are going to do and leave it on the steering wheel. So in case there is something that can cause harm if forgotten about when the vehicle is taken out of storage, you will then remember.
IF you are worried about rodents, put a few moth ***** around the outside of the car.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,567
Likes: 87
From: NJ
Another horrible idea! DO NOT ever do that. It is not good for the suspension to be hanging like that.
If you do put a rag in your tailpipe to stop rodents, remember to remove it.
It's best to make a list of things you are going to do and leave it on the steering wheel. So in case there is something that can cause harm if forgotten about when the vehicle is taken out of storage, you will then remember.
IF you are worried about rodents, put a few moth ***** around the outside of the car.
If you do put a rag in your tailpipe to stop rodents, remember to remove it.
It's best to make a list of things you are going to do and leave it on the steering wheel. So in case there is something that can cause harm if forgotten about when the vehicle is taken out of storage, you will then remember.
IF you are worried about rodents, put a few moth ***** around the outside of the car.
fyi, my method only takes the load off the tires. I do not allow the suspension come at full unloaded droop. It is unnecessary to what I'm trying to accomplish to avoid flat spots.
Last edited by fastnoypi; Nov 25, 2013 at 05:31 AM.
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Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,723
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From: NJ
please enlighten us how unloading the suspension is a bad idea. I have been doing this for years with my cars at my vacation homes for years with no ill effects. Cars that i've had, where i stored it sitting on the ground eventually suffered spring sag. fyi, my method only takes the load off the tires. I do not allow the suspension come at full unloaded droop. It is unnecessary to what I'm trying to accomplish to avoid flat spots.
For only 3 months, I'd just air up the tires. They will not permanently flat spot from just sitting for that short period of time.
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Driver
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 146
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From: GA
I know at least one guy who uses a two post lift for storing two cars in one spot. On the raised car with the suspension hanging unloaded he uses check straps of heavy nylon web to keep the suspension travel to a minimum.
Tire flat spots can be attenuated by parking on boards that are wider and longer than the contact patch.
Tire flat spots can be attenuated by parking on boards that are wider and longer than the contact patch.
Driver
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,800
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From: Maryland
I'd remove the car battery and keep it at room temperature. The worst thing is exposing a discharged car battery to sub-freezing temperatures.
In addition to the previously mentioned oil change, you might consider some gasoline stabilizer (available in boating stores). It might be more called-for in 6 month or longer storage, but a little couldn't hurt (in my opinion).
In addition to the previously mentioned oil change, you might consider some gasoline stabilizer (available in boating stores). It might be more called-for in 6 month or longer storage, but a little couldn't hurt (in my opinion).
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