Winterizing a Boxster???

[blue2000s]

Originally Posted by boxsternut

Thanks to all who replied. I am changing the oil this weekend, adding stabilizer to a full tank, raising psi's to 50 and plugging in the trickle charger after cleaning the car and putting it's cover on for hibernation!

Sounds about right, except you don't want to use a trickle charger, use a battery maintainer like the battery tender jr. And disconnect the battery from the car.

[Dave S.]

That sounds like a good plan. I usually also set up a couple of mouse traps around the car as added protection.

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by blue2000s

And disconnect the battery from the car.

Not necessary, particularly if you use a maintainer (like the OEM units) that plugs into the cigarette lighter……………

[blue2000s]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

Not necessary, particularly if you use a maintainer (like the OEM units) that plugs into the cigarette lighter……………

My battery tender gets hot enough to melt the plastic casing if I leave the battery connected. Current draw can be too high for some maintainers. If you can figure out how to reset the clock, there's no benefit to leaving the battery connected unless you use the cigarette lighter maintainer, which then you have to stay connected of course.

It's actually safest to completely remove the battery from the car in case the maintainer or battery have problems while charging.

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by blue2000s

My battery tender gets hot enough to melt the plastic casing if I leave the battery connected. Current draw can be too high for some maintainers. If you can figure out how to reset the clock, there's no benefit to leaving the battery connected unless you use the cigarette lighter maintainer, which then you have to stay connected of course.

It's actually safest to completely remove the battery from the car in case the maintainer or battery have problems while charging.

If that is the case, something is definitely wrong with the car or the maintainer. I have been storing Porsches for more than 30 years, both for myself and customers; none of the maintainers (OEM, CTEK, Deltran, etc.) ever gets more than very slightly warm to the touch when first connected, after which they are nearly room temperature. Sounds like you have an excessive current draw problem…………….

[blue2000s]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

If that is the case, something is definitely wrong with the car or the maintainer. I have been storing Porsches for more than 30 years, both for myself and customers; none of the maintainers (OEM, CTEK, Deltran, etc.) ever gets more than very slightly warm to the touch when first connected, after which they are nearly room temperature. Sounds like you have an excessive current draw problem…………….

No indication of any other problems. I can leave the car for a month+ and it starts right up.

[boxsternut]

The trickle charger I bought from the Porsche dealer came highly recommended. It plugs into the cigarette lighter and only charges when necessary. They told me in the 987's, there's no need to remove the battery anymore. It cost $80 and has a long cord, which is great for the garage.

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by blue2000s

No indication of any other problems. I can leave the car for a month+ and it starts right up.

I just went into the storage area where there are currently 6 cars with maintainers on them. Room temp is 58.5F; non-contact pyrometer check of the maintainers averaged about 68F. Porsche early OEM unit (black box unit) was 68.5F, late model OEM (Ctek type) 68F, and Deltran unit (four car bank) was 69F. If yours is getting hot to the touch, it is because there is a drain in the car's electrical system it is trying to keep up with. Like I said, something is not right.....

[ekam]

I don't know how you guys can do without your Porsche for months.

I'll be out of the country for 3 weeks. I'm leaving in a few days but already suffering withdrawals.

Just put the snow tires on yesterday too. :-(

[JTP]

Originally Posted by blue2000s

And disconnect the battery from the car.

If you disconnect the battery, make sure the window glass will clear the soft top rail prior to removing battery power, such as leaving both doors open when disconnecting the battery. Seal the open space between the glass and top with foam, cloth or tape.

[boxsternut]

It's done...put away for the winter, resting on a sheet of plastic. Didn't disconnect the battery, as I bought a trickle charger (cigarette lighter)from Porsche. As for the tires, my Michelin Pilot Sport PS2's say max. pressure of 51 psi's, so that's where they are now. Can't wait for spring!!!!!

[Harold_Callahan]

I found a great overview for storing your Boxster. Just a great list.

If you live in an inclement weather area, winter storage of a Porsche Boxster is a major part of your yearly maintenance schedule. You need to learn the correct methods to Winterize Your Porsche Boxster.

-Callahan-