[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

Winter Car Storage advice




The local VW club I belong to in Rochester just sent out it's monthly 
newsletter with
some timely tips on some things you might want to do when storing your car over
the winter.  It's a primarily air-cooled club, so some things might 
not pertain...enjoy!

Winter Car Storage Tips

1.  Store it with a full tank of gas.  But before you fill it up, add 
some gas stabilizer
to the tank just prior.  You'll want to drive at least 10 minutes 
after this to insure
the stabilizer is all through the fuel system.  (probably shorter with FI car).
2. Change the oil. This helps prevent rust and corrosion on internal parts.
3. Brake fluid - if more than two years old (or dark honey colored): 
flush it & refill
with new fluid.  This should be done every spring.
4. Transmission and differential should be topped up, as it will 
displace moisture.
5. WD40 sprayed on all the hinges (hood, doors, trunk, etc.) will also help.
6. Clean the interior, dress all vinyl and rubber.
7. Wash and wax your vehicle just before storing.
8. Leave the windows down about 1/2" to allow air to circulate in the interior.
9. Jacking the car up will remove the weight from the springs and prevent
flat spots on tires (more common on older bias plys).
10. If you cover your car, use only soft cotton or comparable materials that
breathe and allow air circulation.
11. Desicant is a good absorber of moisture. Put a couple bags in the interior
of the vehicle, and 1 or 2 in the trunk.  Minimizes condensation and rust.
12. Disconnect the battery while the vehicle is in storage.  YOu'll probably
need to put the battery on a trickle charger)
13. Place a rag in the exhaust and air intake to keep moisture and small
animals out.
14. If possible, start your vehicle at least once a month and let the engine
fully warm up.  Probably for about 15 minutes.
15. Leave the car in neutral, hand brake off. Chock tires to keep from rolling.
16. If possible, place a vapor barrier between your vehicle and the floor of
the building where your vehicle is stored.  The vapor barrier will help keep
the moisture away from the under carriage.
17. Insurance: keep your comprehensive insurance, but you may qualify
for a discount when the vehicle is "removed from use" or "stored".  Remember
to reactive before 1st drive though.
18. If you have to store outdoors, be wary of heavy tarps. Moisture trapped
underneath them have lead to "bleached" spots in the paint.  Also the wind
whipping the tarp will tend to dull the paint as any dust between the tarp
and paint will act as fine sand paper would.


Enjoy!

==Brett

-- 
 \/  `87 Scirocco 2.0t project | "Hot VW's, take two home. They're small"
\/\/ '88 Scirocco 16v,  '84 Scirocco ITB racer project | - brett@netacc.net