Fwd: My car storage regimen

[Huw Powell]

Obviously we all have to chime in with our opinions on this!

I will make the general assumption that this is for seasonal, ie winter, 
storage.  Long term is quite different.

1. Climate control sounds nice.  A heated space in winter should be bone 
dry since there is little to no humidity in the ambient air.

2. Techron over Stabil?  Sounds like a religious issue.  Anyway, only 
use treated fuel - always.  First time use, make sure the car runs long 
enough to get it through the entire fuel system.  If your car has old 
CIS with a warm up regulator, consider opening up those lines and 
blowing them dry after the full run, then run some more, since the fuel 
acting as a hydraulic fluid in there will go stale.

3. Change oil every year regardless of usage levels.  Filter optional, 
you could just drop it and drain it.

4. I agree on the coolant and brake fluid.

5. I don't running it is necessary, it is in storage, after all.  The 
metal parts aren't going to lose their oil coating in a few months.  All 
you are doing is making a fresh mess - can you be sure that all moisture 
has exited the entire exhaust system, for instance?

6. We don't need no stinkin' AC

7. Battery tender is important.  Disconnection not so.

8. Suspension and tires have been covered - store on jack stands under 
control arms.

Or, you know, just stick it in a field with no oil pan or cam cover.  If 
it's an Audi i-5 it'll be fine.

- Huw

On 12/1/2014 9:45 PM, DeWitt Harrison wrote:
> Montana brother shared his car storage regimen with me the other day. See
> below. I'm wondering how this might compare with the wisdom of the list.
> The two line items I'm a little skeptical about are the need to change all
> fluids based on time rather than mileage and the need to get the engine
> good and hot twice monthly. I've been driving my stored cars several miles
> twice a year although I admit I've had the 5000CS spring leaks at oil pan,
> hydraulic pump and ac compressor all at once this fall.
>
> DeWitt
>
> Brother's program:
>
> -          Store in climate controlled space; at least 55 degrees or more;
> covered and/or away from U/V source
>
> -          Keep only a few gallons of Techron-laced fuel in the tank
> (forget the Stabil)
>
> -          Change to fresh oil and filter every couple years; OK to store
> oil in the crankcase rather than in the bottles
>
> -          Change coolant and brake fluid every couple years or longer at
> personal discretion
>
> -          Most importantly - run cars twice monthly for minimum of ½ hour
> @ over 2,000 RPMs for oil and exhaust to dry out; Do not just idle only!!
> Re-fuel with a couple fresh gallons when low fuel light comes on
>
> -          Run A/C (if so equipped) and cycle heater controls
>
> -          Unhook batteries (yep, the radio needs re-coding) and charge
> periodically or use Battery Tender
>
> -          Pump the suspension up and down a few times but don’t stretch
> bushings to their limits by putting car up on blocks (yes, chance of
> flat-spotting tires if you don’t move the car)
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