Nsx Winter Storage

[drew06]

Hey Guys,

I am sure most of us have our cars in storage for the winter season. Just wanted to clear a few issues up. My usual procedure is to:

1) Cover the entire car with a car cover
2) Put the whole car on jackstands
3) Start it once in a while (monthly)
4) Cover exhausts?

Is starting it monthly a good idea? I seem to be getting different opinions from different individuals, also I heard putting some "steel wool" into the exhaust is a good idea so there are no bugs or mice crawling up and having children in your car. Let me know what you think guys. Thanks again.

 

[GECKO]

Everything you indicated is correct except for starting it. You can fully charge the battery and disconnect the terminals and leave it in the car - a fully charged battery will not freeze. Or pull it put and put it on a trickle charger every couple months. Starting it for a couple minutes will create condensation and cause more damage then just leaving it as is until it's time to take it out in the spring. I also cover the wheels (can buy wheel covers for cheap) as the salt dust in the air moves around from the other cars each time the garage door is opened. Guess if you store your car without anything else it's not necessary to cover the wheels, but it also keeps out the dust so less cleaning in the Spring. Oh, jack up the tire pressure to about 60 as you'll loose around 1 lb for each 5 degree drop in temperature

 

[95EagleAWD]

Don't put it on jackstands either. Bad for the suspension and the frame.

I park mine, wash it, cover it and leave it. It's not hard to boost it in the springtime.

 

[Bram]

To keep the critters away from the car, I place "bounce" sheets in the engine compartment and under the car (the stuff you put in the dryer), I have read that the smell keep the critters away.

- Change the oil & filter before storage
- Don't set the Hand brake
- Keep it in neutral (place blocks behind the wheels)
- Fill the tank with Gas
- You want to cover the wheels as Shawna indicated to keep the moisture off the wheels and rotors.

You should be good to go in the Spring

Bram

 

[docjohn]

Some good info. http://www.nsxprime.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25353&highlight=winter+hibernation

 

[sptrader]

I use fuel stabilizer and also a battery tender(NOT charger) to keep the battery charged.
I also take mine out for a drive if the roads are clear and dry. (Quite common in Denver even in Jan)
Cars are designed to be driven not stored. Cables take a set and hoses dry out, if the car just sits. I used to have a terrible time every Spring with an old 70' Corvette that I would store and not touch for 5 months.
Drive it or at least start it up and let it warm up every month, is what I do, I also move it a little , so the tires don't "flat spot".

 

[drew06]

Thanks for all the great advice everyone. Will follow the recommendations

 

[warrenw]

I have been storing cars for the winter for years. 1966 mustang, in the past a S2000 and NSX today.
Mice is a concern. Moth balls work, but do not put them in the interior or trunk. just put a few in the engine compartment and under the car.

Suspension: I do not jack the car car up. You can warp the frame / body and stress the suppension as it is designed to support the car.

Battery: I put a battery trickle charger on the battery that is on a timer to provide charge only 1 hour per day. (just like driving the car)

Engine: I do start up the car once a month or two, but be sure to make sure that the battery charger is disconnected and the engine completely warms up to running temperature.

Tires: I pump up the tires to maximum rated tire pressure to prevent flat spots. Yes even radials can get a flat spot from sitting. Some people put cardboard under tires. (not sure why?)

Cover: I cover the car with a fitted cover. Strap it down. If the storage garage is used for other cars, wind can do a lot of dammage with a cover on a car. I remember covering a 69 ford farlaine outsite with a cover. The wind moved the cover enough every day that the paint was completely rubbed off the car on some spots.

In Edmonton it is a 5 month storage cycle. A long time to go without driving the car. The benifit: Low mileage cars. My 41 year old mustang only has an average of 3100 miles per year.

 

[sherpaone]

Hi,

I think you will find the car jacks to be quite unnecessary - its a throw back to 40 years ago.
I am interested if you have ever had an issue with a bad smell coming in from the vents. I am told it could be from the condenser. any thoughts?
Kirb

 

[DRIFTER]

Hi,

I think you will find the car jacks to be quite unnecessary - its a throw back to 40 years ago.
I am interested if you have ever had an issue with a bad smell coming in from the vents. I am told it could be from the condenser. any thoughts?
Kirb

Mold in the vents can cause a weird smell. I get this all the time with my Audi TT. Its from condensation form the A/C. I use some Lysol spray disinfectant the (aerosol kind) turn the fan on full blast and spray a little in the vent, where it draws outside air into the cabin. I also spray a little in the cabin filter (NSX dose not have one) the spray kills the mold.

*note* use a disinfectant that you like the smell of because your car will smell like it for a couple of days. The one I have kind of smells like ticktac’s
I like it LOL. :biggrin: