Winter Storage ?

[Fast95Stang]

This is the first winter I've had my Mustang. I am not exactly sure what I should do to prepare it for storage. It will be kept in an attached garage. Any info or advice would be great! Thanks! :thumbs_up

-Greg

[DirtyMax]

This can be debated forever. Since I am in a similar boat as you, I'll tell you what I was told to do and you can take it for what it's worth. I was told to fill it up with premium fuel....(even though your car may not need it, people have said that it doesn't lose it volatility as fast as 87). Then, if you choose, you can supplement with a bottle of Sta-Bil or Store-X fuel stabilizer from your local auto parts store. I chose not to because a motor builder I know said "There's no way in he!! I'd put that crap in any motor of mine". Aside from getting it good and clean, inside and out, that's about it. I would, if you can, start it up at least once every few weeks, bring it up to operating temperature, and take it out for a short ride if the roads are nice and dry. Even if it's just backing it up and down your driveway, something's better than nothing. Flat spots aren't as much of an issue with today's tires but I rather stay safe than sorry. If you can't drive it, at least bring the rpm's up good once you get it warm to get most of the moisture out of the exhaust. Good luck~

[o3mach1mike]

Put the car away clean and get a nice cover for it... I have a rubber mat on the floor that acts as a vapor barrier.. Put some stabil in the fuel and run the car for about 10 minutes or so to get it through the system.. Change the engine oil also.. I never leave old oil in the engine over the winter.. I place some fabric softener sheets inside the car too.. If you have any mice problems in your garage or even if you don't, it is a good idea to put some D-con around your garage or a few mouse traps just in case... Mice love to nest in engines or under car covers.. I don't run my car at all during the winter cause with the cover on and pushed over to the side of the garage it is not worth the work getting to.. If you have an older pushrod motor and you want to go nuts you could remove the spark plugs and get some fogging oil and spray some into each of the cylinders and crank the motor over a few times and then put plugs back in.. This will coat the cylinder walls with oil for storage... I do not do this either cause the car is not in storage for a significant period of time.. Other than a good coat of polish and wax in Spring and you should be ready to race!! Also,, either disconnect the battery negative or what I use is a battery tender automatic trickle charger to keep the battery charged up during storage..

[yooformula]

From what I understand, modern gasoline formulas dont break down and dont require a fuel stabilizer. Winter storage is really short term and not enough time for the gas to break down especially with all of the additives nowadays its really not necessary. I start mine every week and usually keep it parked on ramps to prevent critters from getting underneith it, and then an oil change after my finaly drive. I start usually every week simply because I cant go that long without listening to my motor:D