Parking The Car For The Winter

[birdii]

Im planning to park my 97gst in my garage for the winter. Is it a good idea to start the car up once a week during the winter or just leave it alone for the 5months?

thanks

 

[crimsondragon]

I'd start it up once a week to keep the internals lubricated.

 

[lo_boost]

if you do decide to park it for the 5 months i would drain all fluids and check to see if every thing is sealed

 

[Raph]

If you do start it up,let it run for a while ..otherwise you will just contaminate the Oil with fuel.

Remember to inflate the tires to at least 40 psi (do 45 ) to prevent them from getting flat spots from standing in one spot for too long.


If you do drain everything, remeber that its pretty tough to get all the water out of the block and heatercore.

also,if you leave the Oil drained for too long,your oil pump could draw air when you refill the crankcase and start it (seen this hasppen before..no oil pressure!)

another good idea is to make sure the garage is dry(moisture free!) and free of RODENTS

 

[asexton6969]

I would suggest that you don't drain all the fluids. These help lubricate all the parts on the inside. If there is air getting to them at all angles, seals will begin to dry up and crack. There are many additives you can put in fuel, oil, coolant for when your storing a car. Drive to your local autoparts store and take a look.

 

[dsmpat95]

If you plan on just letting the car sit for 5 months, put the car on jack stands, it helps alot of things at once, your tires and supsension. And if you plan on doing anything the car is already up.

 

[Tuning Spirit]

The best way to do it is start it once a week until it warms up and idles stabily, then a little more. Ss maybe 5 minutes is perfect. That way the internals stay lubricated and the battery stays charged. Then make sure to put in oil stabilizer and fuel stabilizer to keep those good. If you can, check the tire pressure, then take the car for a little drive to rotate the wheels if you can (this keep the tire belts and side walls from weakening). After that, park it back up and clean off ALL of the snow. But make sure that where you store it is dry to avoid moisture build up and rust formation.

 

[pboglio]

Agreed, I wouldn't drain any fluids either. Just what you need when you get all excited and take the car for a boot without engine oil or coolant At least run a fuel stabilizer at the minimum. You'll be happy with a trickle charger which will keep the battery fully charged as idling will not charge the battery enough to prevent it from fully discharging. Excessive idling is not good for the tranny in terms of proper lubrication as well, according to Jon at TRE transmissions. Flat spotting is most definitely a possibility if you don't drive the car and monitor tire pressures periodically.

I've brought my 97 GSX back out of storage after 2 years of complete inoperability, and suffered nothing more than a drained battery and flat spotted tire.

I'd go online and find a proper guide for storing a car for extended periods.

 

[SpiralOut]

Damn winter must come early in Canada.

 

[PIMking]

I changed the oil and coolant because the acids that build up from used oil. I also jack the car up and put it on jackstands. I have a heated garage but thats just me. I take the batt out of the vehicle. thats just me.