Winterizing a Boxster???

[Flavor 987S]

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!

Check your Owner's Manual. Tires should be 58 PSI.....not 50 PSI. At least this is what mine says.

[boxsternut]

Thanks for the headsup with the PSI's...I'm going to check my tires for their max. pressure rating....they're Michelin Pilots PS2's.

[oriley]

I'm up in Erin, not far from Caledon.
I've stored my 01 Boxster for last 5 years each winter for 6 months.
I fill car to brim with Ultra 94, increase tire pressure to 60psi
I have a cover for the car.
Also park on a large sheet of plastic.

I remove the battery and place a large cloth so the hood cannot close.
I take the battery home, put on a wooden workbench and do not touch until couple days before I'm due to bring car out of storage end of April.
I, too, asked many people about changing oil before or after.
My trusted independent said as soon as it comes out of storage change oil for the driving season. I usually do about 6,000k per season.
Andy

[Flavor 987S]

Originally Posted by boxsternut

Thanks for the headsup with the PSI's...I'm going to check my tires for their max. pressure rating....they're Michelin Pilots PS2's.

I have 19" PS2's and overfill to 58-60 PSI prior to winter storage with Nitrogen.

[boxsternut]

Thanks Andy for your input. Why do you store on a plastic sheet? I just changed my oil yesterday and will winterize this weekend. Will fill tires up to 58psi's. Do you move the car a few inches each month like others have suggested? Also, do you add fuel stabilizer before hibernation? Thanks.
Scott

[Flavor 987S]

^Plastic sheet keeps moisture away from the car's underside, possibly preventing any undue corrosion. I park on plastic too. Buy at Home Depot- painter tarp 3-4 mil.

Yes, use a fuel stabilizer, like Sta-Bil. Run-in the product a few minutes, prior to shut down- so it gets into the entire fuel system. Make the tank as full-full as possible, as this keeps out air and potential condensation/moisture.

I move my car a few inches, at the beginning of each month. One month forward, next month back. Then I do this weekely, the last month of hibernation. Very easy to do. Necessary.....? I don't have any flat spots, so I'll continue to do so. Some tire brands are VERY prone to FS. Mine, are Michellin, and not known to have this issue. But, like I said easy to do, so I'll continue.

[oriley]

As Falvor said, plastic is good.
Unfortunately I cannot store my vehicle at home. It is stored at a commercial facility that stores hundreds of cars/campers/boats, etc.
I never notice flat-spotting after storage with 60psi (obviously reduced when taken from storage); but I do notice flat-spotting for a couple of km if I don't use the car for a week in the summer.
I stored my Miata before Boxster and in 10 years of winter storage have not had any issues.

[boxsternut]

Thanks Andy and Flavor for the plastic sheet idea. Will add to my routine too! Bought some stabilizer as well and will add before last fill up this weekend. Will be a sad weekend...but will look forward to spring like never before!!!