I did a quick search on what to do for winter storage. Is there anything else I need to do in addition to:

- inflating tires (to what pressure and does it have to be with nitrogen?)
- battery maintainer
- fuel stabilizer in a full tank of gas
- car cover (if possible)
- leaving a small gap in the windows

Will be in a non-heated garage.

Thanks in advance.

 

I'll add one question to that. Has anyone had any issues with the Porsche battery maintainer and exploding batteries during storage? I've read about a few issues of batteries exploding on this site. Thanks, Chris

 

How long at a time do you plan on storing your car?

I use the Porsche battery maintainer, and have not had any issues. I have been very happy with it. Since I read of exploding batteries, rare though it may be, I do pop the hood before the first start to air it out, if the car has been sitting on the charger for long periods of time.

You do not need nitrogen in your tires, but it is superior over-all because it is much less reactive to temperature changes with respect to pressure, and it is inert and super dry, so it minimizes the chance of corrosion inside your rim.

I double-cover my car for long term storage. The "base layer" cover is the satin-style/type that Porsche sells. Not cheap, I know. On top of that I put one of the thick, custom dust covers to protect my car from my wife's careless movements in it's vicinity.

 

Thanks for your advice. I'll likely store it for 4 months (i.e. as long as there's snow on the ground).

When you say you open up the hood on first start after a long time, does the battery maintainer cause the battery itself to smell? I haven't used mine yet so don't know what to expect.

 

No, it does not cause the battery to smell, but it does cause the battery to release odorless fumes during the charging cycle that can be explosive if trapped and allowed to build up. Opening the hood just allows any fumes that might have formed to air out and dissipate, eliminating the change of ignition during engine crank.

The explosions are very rare, and from what people have said, it is not a dangerous situation, just potentially damaging to your car if it happens. If you search 6speed you will find some threads about it.