Storing my 98 ETC for the Winter in NY - Any Tips or Advice?

C0RSA1R · #1 (**permalink**) 10-29-08, 11:03 PM

Good evening, folks.

I'm about to store my 98 ETC in my garage for the winter while I put my old beater on the road. I don't like driving a nice car in the snow and slush we get here in Schenectady, so to the garage it goes. I wanted to ask what sort of preparations I should make and what I should do to ensure it remains well preserved and as trouble-free as possible. The car runs like a champ with no problems so far, and the last thing I need is to start it next April and encounter diffuculties.

First off, the garage itself is unheated, with new insulated doors which keep the wind and bitter cold out pretty well. The car is on the side of the house facing the sun from noon till night, with two windows for light to get in. The floor is cement; haven't had a chance to put any shop-finishing on it so far.

I have a 3-layer car cover that is very soft on the inside and is supposed to prevent moisture from becoming trapped underneath. Not sure how waterproof it is, but there are no leaks in the garage and it will not get rained/snowed on. I will be washing it and waxing it (underbody anti-corrosion spray comes as an option with the washing - should I get that or is it overkill?) before the cover goes on - the cover is, in fact mainly because our housecat likes to mark up the hood of all our cars with its paws.

I read somewhere to put baking soda and dryer sheets in the cabin and trunk, to absorb moisture in the air and repel critters. I've also read to leave one or both windows cracked about half an inch to allow air to flow in and out.

Someone suggested I use a battery maintainer to keep the battery well charged - should I purchase one ($50-60) or just start the car and run it for a little bit at scheduled intervals? Also, should I use a conditioner on the leather seats or Armor-All on the dash before I close it up?

I already put about a pint of STP Oil Treatment (small blue bottle) in the engine and ran it for about ten minutes (till it had been at midrange temp for a few minutes). I've read that technically that is not needed, but I've always used it on my previous cars and it seems to work great most of the time. Also, should I fill the gas tank or run it down until it's practically empty? I'm guessing if the answer is to fill it, I should use a fuel stabilizer, correct?

Finally, is there anything I might have missed? The oil was changed about eight weeks ago - the GM Oil Life monitor shows 60% life remaining. The battery is strong, and the tires are all at 30PSI (like it says on the door panel).

Any help or guidance is greatly appreciated.

**Ranger** · #2 (**permalink**) 10-29-08, 11:38 PM

Put it away hot (engine and trans) and DO NOT start it till you are ready to drive it again. Put it on jack stands to prevent the tires from flat spotting. Either remove the battery (don't store it on a concrete floor) or put a maintainer on it.

hueterm · #3 (**permalink**) 10-29-08, 11:54 PM

Put out rat poison...

C0RSA1R · #4 (**permalink**) 10-30-08, 02:20 AM

Put it away hot? You mean, drive it for a bit, fill up the tank, get the wash, drive it a bit, and then bring it home and jack it up? In other words, make sure that as it is going into storage, it's last run was one that got the engine and transmission up to operating temps and kept them there for a decent amount of time?

Also, the rat poison idea is iffy - as I mentioned, we have a cat (that I'm not fond of, but stilll . . .

). I guess I'll have to ask a vet if a cat will eat rat poison - or find a brand that won't strike the cat as a tasty meal.

So, I buy a battery maintainer, hook that baby up to the battery (leaving the batter hooked up to the car, right?), and then gently lower the hood down. Okay. If I do that, should I buy some foam and wrap it around the wires so they do not get pinched by the hood, and possibly also place enough foam to prevent the hood from locking inadvertently? The cat, I'm sure, will still sleep on the hood of the car - especially if it's covered with a soft car cover - and if it jumps down from the wall shelf onto the hood, it could possibly latch if it was just barely open.

Anything else, or does it sound like I might have a clue as to what I'm doing? (In which case, let me assure everyone that I most emphatically do [i]not[i].)

Sorry. Those were just for fun.

hueterm · #5 (**permalink**) 10-30-08, 03:23 AM

Well, if the cat will be there to catch any mice....then maybe you don't need the poison.

Rodents do like the casing around electrical wiring -- and if they do start tearing things up -- it can get pricey REAL quick.

The dealer told me to put some down by each tire and to put some in the battery pan, among other places -- can't remember now.

**Ranger** · #6 (**permalink**) 10-30-08, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Put it away hot? You mean, drive it for a bit, fill up the tank, get the wash, drive it a bit, and then bring it home and jack it up? In other words, make sure that as it is going into storage, it's last run was one that got the engine and transmission up to operating temps and kept them there for a decent amount of time?

That's exactly what I mean. If you start it once in a while to charge the battery, you'll just add condensation to the exhaust pipes that will site there and rust. Likewise, the trans fluid will not get hot enough to burn off any condensation that may be in there. It's even worse for the engine oil if you don't get it hot enough to evaporate any condensation.

I would not worry much about wires getting pinched by the hood. Just gently let the hood down and don't latch it. If you're worried about it, just put a 2X4 on the radiator support so the hood can't close all the way.

C0RSA1R · #7 (**permalink**) 10-30-08, 04:13 PM

Alright. Before I put 'er away, I'll make sure to fill the tank and drive her hard for about fifteen or twenty minutes. That should be sufficient - especially since I'll be doing other driving the day I store her - wash, wax, and some quick errands.

The cat is pretty adept at leaving dead mice and other rodents by the garage door for me to find in the morning. Sadly, I've never seen a kill made in person, so I don't know if they died of natural causes or met their demise in the maw of a rapidly-shedding Prussian Blue. I suppose I'll find out if there is rat poison out there that is safe with other household pets, and if I can find some, I will use it.

Thanks again!

**Ranger** · #8 (**permalink**) 10-30-08, 04:31 PM

Quote:

I suppose I'll find out if there is rat poison out there that is safe with other household pets

No such thing. If you're worried about the cat, don't use it.

chubbyranger · #9 (**permalink**) 10-30-08, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C0RSA1R

The cat is pretty adept at leaving dead mice and other rodents by the garage door for me to find in the morning.

They do that intentionally - they are bringing you a prize and sharing. If the bodies end up in roughly the same spot, kitty is doing his job and is probably much better protection than poison. If the corpses still have their heads attached he is paying you a particular honor and leaving the best part for you.