Putting the Z to bed for the winter :(

Nixin · 11-09-2015, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mishuko

you can search the forum but because you're also from the glorious motherland of canadia i'll make it for you.

1) oil change (debatable but most do it before storage) - some do it before and after, some do it before then drive, others wait until new season. i'm in the middle. i do it, drive it a bit out of storage and when convenient (before 5000km) oil change

2) fuel stabilzer - drive your tank to 1/4 tank. add in the small bottle of STABIL (treats 70L), top up your tank and drive a few clicks to make sure it's nice and mixed into the lines

3) wash and detail your car - varying degree. if you're going to have a car cover take it out for a rip to make sure the water gets wooshed away

4) plug your tailpipes with some wire gauze (inside or outside storage for varying reasons)

5) over inflate your tires to prevent 'squaring' - or use wheel savers or whatever. i just over inflated mine with no issue. 45psi at that.

6) open a box of baking soda and place it somewhere visible so you don't knock it over and deal with that mess after

7) hook up your battery tender - the one i have i connected to the prongs. make sure you unook the negative terminal before even playing with it. ymmv but if you shock yourself luwl too bad so sad. hope you have a policy

8) wheel cholk the car, leave in neutral, no hand brake

9) make a sticky note -> cholked wheels, tire pressure, baking soda, battery tender, plugged tail pipes for ease of remembering what you do.

some people start/stop teh car. i didn't bother. once a month i checked the tire pressures and pushed the car forward and let it roll back against the cholks to rotate the wheels a little.

uhh i think that's it

Mishuko, you are the BOMB! Thanks for the list. It is appreciated. Cheers.

littlejuanito · 11-09-2015, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nixin

LA is also Lethbridge, Alberta, at least for us Canuks.

or Lower Alabama lol

mishuko · 11-09-2015, 03:43 PM

chock, cholk, clock, **** all teh same. just make sure you have something to stop the car in place for when you come back next time.

nixin is this in your garage or private lot? also may want to consider other things depending on where you store it.

kenchan · 11-09-2015, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by littlejuanito

I thought you lived here in LA.

not any more. maybe 15-20yrs in the future i will again.

LAVA · 11-09-2015, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Munts

Well.. it is that time of the year again in Minnesota.. time for the Z to go to sleep until March/April. Hooked up the battery tender and going to throw the cover on it tomorrow.

Very sad day for me

as much as I love Minnesota, I do sometimes wish that I lived in a state where I could drive the Z year round haha!

Putting the Z away just means it's time to take the winter toys out.

90 ST · 11-09-2015, 06:14 PM

Got mine READY for winter. lol Got the winter tires, on battery booster charged and in the car, snow brush is in the back. first road trip since snow fall Thursday. Will also be the last winter with the car.

Nixin · 11-09-2015, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mishuko

chock, cholk, clock, **** all teh same. just make sure you have something to stop the car in place for when you come back next time.

nixin is this in your garage or private lot? also may want to consider other things depending on where you store it.

The Z is staying at home in the garage right next to my ready to go 13.5 hp snowblower.

Munts · 11-09-2015, 06:46 PM

Wait I just read something that I'm confused about. This might be a dumb question.. But you're not supposed to leave the parking brake engaged when it is in storage?

MacCool · 11-10-2015, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nixin

Does anyone have an official 'winter storage' checklist? I have never really stored any of my previous vehicles bit the Z will be the first. Being an avid downhill skier, I always look forward to the winter. This year, not so much.

fill gas tank
put in some kind of fuel stabilizer (if I think of it...probably not important)
change oil and filter
wash and wax
fill tires 40 psi
put battery tender on
cover

kenchan · 11-10-2015, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Munts

Wait I just read something that I'm confused about. This might be a dumb question.. But you're not supposed to leave the parking brake engaged when it is in storage?

Mine is engaged but my car is completely dry

kenchan · 11-10-2015, 08:05 AM

Today marks one month in storage.

I had ankle problems earlier so no biggie was too painful to drive enjoyably anyway.

mishuko · 11-10-2015, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Munts

Wait I just read something that I'm confused about. This might be a dumb question.. But you're not supposed to leave the parking brake engaged when it is in storage?

i leave mine disengaged because it's an outdoor unheated garage. i read about the parking brake 'freezing' to the rotors or getting stuck and seizing up and other problems. the garage my car is being stored in has in-out traffic and coincidental splashes occur. so depends on the circumstances/situation you chose what you deem best.

it all depends on what you're comfortable with and how you've handled it in the past. i've also read differing opinions on different aspects of my post. that is what i do, others will do different, and i'm sure you will probably find a niched version that's suitable for you.

i think one thing everyone will agree with is topping up the tank.

mishuko · 11-10-2015, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 90 ST

Got mine READY for winter. lol Got the winter tires, on battery booster charged and in the car, snow brush is in the back. first road trip since snow fall Thursday. Will also be the last winter with the car.

i liked it for the fact you've driven your z throughout many winters and many km's. unliked for you leaving us for a truck

i mean it's more suitable for your current situation but still... would have been awesome to see you keep the car and drive it to 500k :

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

Today marks one month in storage.

I had ankle problems earlier so no biggie was too painful to drive enjoyably anyway.

i ignored that post of yours last month when you mentioned storage... although my deep sea searching in this forum found a few posts by you in regards to winter storage i referred to last year when i put into storage

kenchan · 11-10-2015, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mishuko

i ignored that post of yours last month when you mentioned storage... although my deep sea searching in this forum found a few posts by you in regards to winter storage i referred to last year when i put into storage

yah, ive been storing cars in the winter for decades so i just post wat i do.
as you already know, i too have other hobbies i do in the winter time so it's not a big deal for me to begin with.

not really sure wat caused my ankle to click and pop all of a sudden though.. i think maybe it's from getting older and joint fatigue.

mishuko · 11-10-2015, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

yah, ive been storing cars in the winter for decades so i just post wat i do.
as you already know, i too have other hobbies i do in the winter time so it's not a big deal for me to begin with.

not really sure wat caused my ankle to click and pop all of a sudden though.. i think maybe it's from getting older and joint fatigue.

unfortunately that's one thing that people don't realize is there is a emporium of information here and general car information here that has been provided by this community... just gotta look hard and ask the right questions.

lol i think your ankle is probably messed up from all the sitting when you do the RC'ing. or maybe it's when you're tinkering with them somehow the pain that should have been in the wrist migrates to the ankle.

now only if our csc problems could migrate to uhh... failing ac line. yea...

11-09-2015, 06:14 PM	#36 (permalink)
90 ST A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2010 Location: Calgary Posts: 1,861 Drives: 90 and 15 GMC Sierra Rep Power: 421	Got mine READY for winter. lol Got the winter tires, on battery booster charged and in the car, snow brush is in the back. first road trip since snow fall Thursday. Will also be the last winter with the car. mishuko likes this.

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11-09-2015, 03:43 PM	#33 (permalink)
mishuko A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: bouncin on tigga Posts: 8,062 Drives: '12 Z Rep Power: 9434	chock, cholk, clock, **** all teh same. just make sure you have something to stop the car in place for when you come back next time. nixin is this in your garage or private lot? also may want to consider other things depending on where you store it.

11-09-2015, 06:46 PM	#38 (permalink)
Munts Base Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: St Paul, Minnesota Posts: 101 Drives: 2009 MT Touring Rep Power: 10	Wait I just read something that I'm confused about. This might be a dumb question.. But you're not supposed to leave the parking brake engaged when it is in storage?

11-10-2015, 08:05 AM	#41 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141520	Today marks one month in storage. I had ankle problems earlier so no biggie was too painful to drive enjoyably anyway.