I know it's a little early but I would like some feedback on the best way to store my roadster. I plan on hooking up a battery maintainer, raising the car off the ground (to keep the tires from getting flat spots, putting mouse traps around the outside of it, and putting a car cover over it. Should I fill the gas tank or leave it empty? Have the oil changed (only 1k miles) before I store it, When I get it out, or at it's normal time? Any suggestions would be very helpful as I plan to keep this car the rest of my life.

 

I have an idea. There is room in my driveway. Arizona is known as a good place to store things. Check out the "Boneyard" at Davis-Monthan AFB.

I'll drive it once or twice a week, wash it at the local DIY carwash, check the air, arrange for an oil change, etc. All you have to do is provide a credit card for expenses. I'll even fly up to MI to pick it up. Air fare will be on me, since I fly free.

Just let me know and I'll be available.

John

PS: I'm sorry. I just couldn't resist.

 

I've always been told to keep the gas tank full and use Sta-Bil fuel stabilizer. They also make a bag of some sort to toss in the interior that keeps the mice away. If you're not going to drive or even start the car all winter it might be suggested to disconnect the battery from the car, I'm not sure. Disconnected or not you can keep a charger on it. I'd see what the others on the forum here say about the oil change as well. Couldn't hurt to change it though as far as I know. Also couldn't hurt to give it a good coat of wax.

 

Why bother storing it?

I also live in Michigan and plan on driving mine 2-3 times a month during the winter. There are still plenty of sunny winter days with no snow/salt on the road, so a quick 1/2 to 1 hour run will keep all the fluids circulating and eliminate the need for battery chargers, mothballs, etc... All it needs is a good coat of wax in the fall, RainX and weather-stripping treatment.

I think it's probably better for the car also.

p.s. Don't forget the heated leather seats.

 

harbor, I store mine in a garage that is not attached to the house in the back of the yard so that is really not a option due to snow, mud ect.
I can't see paying for full coverage insurance all winter either. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

crossfirefrank:
There was a similar topic on this subject the other day. Here is what I said then...

https://www.crossfireforum.org/forum...5209#post95209

 

Check Motorweek also. Goss's garage.

 

Thanks for all the information the forum has provided it's been a great help!

 

I was encouraged to check out putting our car in a bag:
http://www.vehiclebags.com/faq.html
We are also Mi. with a detached garage and don't want to spend the insurance money all winter. We will go out start it up and the flat tire thing is real here, had it happen to another car out in the garage one time.
Has anyone seen/used these car bags? Any advice about them? Our bigest problem beyond the usual is our garage has had MICE and they ate the wiring on another car, got in and pooped around-little ***** I'd rather rent a space than risk having mice in the XF thanks ann

 

AMEN !!!
Someone who thinks exactly as I do. Don't store it, drive it !! It doesn't snow every day and you can certainly put the top up turn on some heat and use those heated seats and go do a drive !!How much do you save on insurance anyway. I pay less than $500 for a full year full coverage w $250 deductible. Certainly worth every penny to be able to drive anytime I want. I have a motorcycle too and insure it all year as well.No big savings not to and if I want to go out in the winter I can.

 

With extreme temp changes and for every 1 gallon of room in your tank you can get 1 ounce of water in your tank so top off the tank and stabil it accordingly.
Also put bounce sheets in the car and trunk....moth ***** stink in the spring.

 

Oh better yet a storage bubble!!
http://www.vehiclebags.com/faq.html

 

I have a friend at work who uses a car bubble on his MB. He thinks very highly of them.

 

Fill tank, sta bel is good too.
place some plastic down on the pavement then carpeting on top, this keeps the moisture off the car car cover of course

I store my bike and my convertable this way in michigan in a detched garage
I thought about bags and jacking it but I still want to get it out on nice days

 

I second that notion!!! Not driving a car is much worse than driving it. Rodents will burrow in your engine and they'll chew your wires and other stuff. Drive the car once a week until it alteast reaches full temperature. Don't let your cars sit, it much worse for them. Try to drive it at least once every two weeks and it will be fine!!!!