Winter Car Storage advice

[Rabbit16v@attbi.com (Rabbit16v)]

I'd say that before you start it every month, remove the rags they have you
stuff into the exhaust and intake!!  Kinda funny that they have you start it
every month right after they tell you to stuff rags in the exhaust and
intake.  Nice list though!

Dave
----- Original Message -----
From: "Brett Van Sprewenburg" <brett@netacc.net>
To: <scirocco-l@scirocco.org>
Sent: Wednesday, November 06, 2002 11:00 PM
Subject: 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
>
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