Thanks for all the comments and suggestions in response to last week’s blog about storing your car in the winter.
Here are a few more thoughts.
First of all, I prefer to always store my convertibles with the top up and stretched, especially the rear plastic window. If the stop is stored folded, I believe the canvas shrinks, and certainly the rear window will be creased.
Reduce the humidity. Especially if your car is in an unheated area, invest in a couple of Dri-Z-Air pots. They are available on Amazon for under $15. Set one in each car, either coupes or convertibles with the top up. I was amazed at how much water they suck out of the air.
This is a bit farther afield, but if your car has easily removeable seat cushions, now is the time to take them to an upholsterer for new foam or stuffing. The driver’s seat is always broken down, and you will be amazed at how much better you feel, and higher you sit, with a rebuilt cushion.
Finally, if you don’t already have one, install a battery cutoff switch. With newer cars, do some investigation as some modern cars lose their electronic brains if they are disconnected from the battery, and sometimes that requires a service call from a dealer to get them working right again. It’s no problem with an analog car, and I have disconnected batteries that sit for over a month and then fire a car right up.
Several of you suggested using a fuel additive. I try to fill my tanks to the top with non-ethanol fuel as part of the storage process as well. If you use an additive, be sure to run your engine for a few minutes to get the additive mixed in the tank as well as into the fuel delivery system, be it fuel injected or carbureted.
Finally, I don’t have an opinion about tire pressures. I just make sure mine are at the normal level I run them at (usually 28-32 psi) and just check them before I take the car out for a test.
In the end, nothing beats having your car started once every two weeks and taking it for a 20-minute freeway run to get all the fluids warmed and the moving parts moving.
In spring, it’s much more fun to hop into your car, fire it up and head out for a drive than it is to hear that discouraging “click click click” when you turn the key. Even if your carburetor jets are only partially clogged, that can cause your car to spit and wheeze until it clears its throat.
I look forward to reading any other thoughts you have in the comments below.
Read my previous blog posts here.
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