Winterizing?

[Slider]

It's getting to be that time of year here in the upper MidWest and since this will be the first winter with a complete Roadster, I'm looking for tips and hints for preparing it for 6 months of sitting in the garage. A checklist would be great if one happens to exist somewhere! Thanks in advance.

[michael everson]

I never winterized mine. If you have access to it, just start it once in a while and let it run. Drive it if you can. Other than that I do nothing.
Mike

[68GT500MAN]

Out here in California we do not have to winterize anything, I drive my roadster all year long. The official car show season does not end until the first Saturday in November and then starts again the second Saturday in February.
Doug

[edwardb]

My Mk3 spent its first winter at home here in our garage, and the second (last winter) in my car hauler inside a storage unit. I didn't do anything really special, and not sure you need to either. Gave it a good bath so no dirt, tar, etc. on the body. I changed the oil so it was stored with fresh oil. Also filled the gas tank and added conditioner. Ran it a bit with the conditioned fuel so it was through the fuel lines, pump, carb, etc. Turned the master switch off and called it good. For the off-site storage, I removed the battery (an Optima red top) and stored in my basement with an AGM tender (CTEK). When it was here at home, just put the charger on it occasionally. I'm not a fan of starting and running if I'm not driving it and getting it to full operating temps. So I didn't. Came back each spring just fine.

BTW, make sure there aren't any varmits wherever you store it. I've heard some real horror stories about mice, rats, etc. doing major damage to wiring, interiors, etc.

[CraigS]

based on our experience three years ago w/ our boat stored for about the same time I would try to figure a way to get all the gas out of it. this stuff w/ ethanol sucks moisture out of the atmosphere like crazy.

[edwardb]

based on our experience three years ago w/ our boat stored for about the same time I would try to figure a way to get all the gas out of it. this stuff w/ ethanol sucks moisture out of the atmosphere like crazy.

Don't disagree that ethanol based fuels have some storage issues compared to regular gasoline from the past. But I personally wouldn't store the system dry. STA-BIL has a specific product for ethanol fuel. That's what I use. Lots of discussion about how effective fuel stabilizers actually are, and some would say are worse than doing nothing. But I've used in all my stuff (lawnmower, trimmers, snow blowers, cars, etc.) for years without any problem.

[Slider]

Thanks everyone. I run 91Octane without any ethanol for exactly the reasons stated above, so plan to fill it, add Stabil and be good with that part of the system (Fuel-Injected Coyote). I've always used dryer sheets to keep mice away from the boat, so will do that as well. Any thoughts on putting it on stands as opposed to sitting on tires? I've seen guys mention that, but not sure if that is required with todays tire technology or not.

[turbonut48]

I'm Not ready for Winter !!!

I do the Gas Stabilizer. Check the freezing of the coolant. I put a "float" battery tender on the battery, turn off the main switch.
I pump up the tires 12-15 pounds over to reduce flat spots.
Make sure the car is clean, and cover it with a nice car cover.
Thats it. Been doing that for the 23 years Ive had my GT350. Only problem was when the float charger died and wiped out the battery.

The Nut