Winter Storage

[dave w]

Sorry if this has already been covered. I have a 2005 Boxster S and do not need to drive it from now (Dec. ) until approx. March or April. My question is what concerns I may need to consider if I store it and do not drive it for this length of time. I do have a battery tender so the battery will be on full charge. I also realize that the tires will flat spot but hopefully will be O.K. after a few miles. If I start the car and let in run for 15-20 minutes without moving it, will this be enough to keep any parts or systems from failing due to lack of use? I have been told that seals can go bad very quickly due to lack of use. I appreciate any input here. Thanks.

[vath2001]

Yes its been covered.. mutiple time. But since your new... Welcome!

1. Read the owners manual, it talks about storage.
2. I take my tires up to about 50-55 psi
3. I throw a bottle of gas stabilizer in the tank before my year end fill up.
4. Some guys change the oil before storing
5. Some guy wash and wax before storing
6. Once stored, leave it that way... do not start it up until your ready to pull it our of storage. Turning it over and running every couple of weeks just burns gas, builds up soot and water vapor in the exhaust.
7. I leave the battery hooked-up with no charger, then again, my battery is not prone to dis-charging.
8. I leave the car un-locked.... no lock, no alarm, minimum battery drain.

Good luck

[tonycarreon]

http://986forum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22661

[Lobo1186]

you could invest in a.... CARCAPSULE its the ultimate car cover!!!

http://www.carcapsule.com/home.htm

or a doorpal!

http://www.skymall.com/shopping/detail.htm?pid=102701928&c=&v=&ddi=/products/1b/1f/06/102701928x.jpg

[vath2001]

Originally Posted by Lobo1186

you could invest in a.... CARCAPSULE its the ultimate car cover!!!

http://www.carcapsule.com/home.htm

or a doorpal!

http://www.skymall.com/shopping/detail.htm?pid=102701928&c=&v=&ddi=/products/1b/1f/06/102701928x.jpg

Carcapsule... I have already been accused of babying the car. If anyone saw that, who knows what they would think? I want to know how you get out of the car once its parked?

[Lobo1186]

that is a good question... im not sure. my guess is really carefully

[tonycarreon]

it's like an inflated sleeping bag, imagine unzipping the sleeping bag, driving onto the sleeping bag, then zipping it up and inflating.

[mikefocke]

How to do its for both ....

[vath2001]

A sad day indeed.
The fuel sabilizer in in. The tank is topped off. The drivers window is dropped about 1 inch. I chose to disconnect the battery this time. The tires are over 50 psi. And finally the car cover is on.
Tomorow I call the insurance company.

Say Good Night Gracie.

[boxsternut]

Agree....a sad day indeed, but after the snow fall we just received and ice, a must to do. How long until spring??????????????????

[JTP]

Originally Posted by mikefocke

Store it or drive it...

Here's a guy that put on some good snow tires and drove it! Bentley Continental GT Convertible I saw during Dec. 2006. It was 60F below zero that day.

[jmatta]

Please be aware that if you disconnect the battery, your engine's ECU will clear back to default settings. It takes somewhere around 200 miles of varied driving speeds, etc, to bring it back to full "ready" status and re-learn your driving habits.

This is especially important if your car requires an emissions test upon spring time...you will not pass until the ECU is in "ready" stage.

[vath2001]

So noted. The car's CEL is on anyways. One of the winter projects is replacing the air pump valve and vacumm switch... causing my CEL.

I won't have to worry about the emissions check until late next year.

In order to simplify trying to remember the radio code.... its wrote in the door jamb. If some one wants the factory radio, well that give me reason to install a MP3/XM unit.

[mikefocke]

and tape the driver's window opening you just created and the rear outside air intakes and exits...exhaust pipes too. Keep out the critters.