pcarfan944

This is the first time i've put my car away for the winter so I wanted to clear something up. Should I put fresh oil in before it goes away for the winter, or when I take it out in the spring? My last oil change was back in February using Castrol Syntec, which was about 2500-3000 miles ago. Just curious....

If you want to throw any other storage tips out go ahead, but i'll be doing a search after I post this.

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Pat
86 944
95 Audi 90 CS

Zero10

Before you put it away.

I'm going to store mine for the winter. Prior to storage, I plan to fog the cylinders with some light oil, and prior to startup as well. I am changing the antifreeze, and brake fluid. I just changed the oil less than 100 miles ago, so that will have to be good enough

porcho heat

I do both, although I only replace the filter after winter.

Scootin159

I've heard both is the way to do it.

I use the cheepest oil I can find for the before (only 3 months of storage, and it's in a garage), and don't bother with the filter

After I go back go mobil 1 with a new filter.

APKhaos

Yes. Your oil picks up acidic contaminants from the combustion process, and you don't want to give those nasty molecules a whole winter to eat away at your engine. Change the filter too, for the same reason.

You can use cheap oil if you want, but then you will need to change it for decent oil as part of de-winterizing. Better to use the oil you normally use, cause then you can start it up without an oil change come summer. No need to change the filter in either case.

Mighty Shilling

I wonder why people bother storing their car when with a set of snowtires, it's like a mountain goat, and you don't need to endure the withdrawl symptoms of being Porscheless for 3 months...

pcarfan944

I wish it was only three months, but it's double that. Oh the heart break is already setting in thinking about it....

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Pat
86 944
95 Audi 90 CS

Dave in Chicago

As Tony mentioned, it's the acidic stuff from running it that is bad. Always change before storage.

AND - YES, DO PUT SNOWS ON IT. It's really a pretty reasonable car with proper snows on it. Most of us drive around on plowed and salted roads anyway. You'd be amazed how fast it makes heat, how well the defroster works, nice heated outside mirrors, rear wiper clears piled up snow...

I used to drive my 944 to MN from IL in the dead of winter without thinking twice.

Okay, I'll stop preaching now...

Dave in Chicago

Oops, noticed the other car is an Audi 90. You get a free get-outta-jail car on storing the 944 then.

Mike1982

Yea, I drove my car for the last 2 winters as well but after seeing the underside and what happens even after just 2 years, I would rather put it away. Another thing I am VERY worried about is getting into a car accident!! Many people just sliding into you or even with the car parked in a parking lot and someone hitting it. I plan on changing my oil before and after and just the filter in the spring.

Zero10

I drove my 86 through 1 calgary winter, and it burned itself to death. I decided that the Porsche gods did not appreciate my heathenistic actions, and I refuse to drive my 951 in the winter. Not to mention, like 80% of all accidents in Calgary happen during the winter, so the chances of getting hit are far greater, not to mention the rust that can start, all of the rock chips, etc. I just bought an 05 golf to use through the winter, lol. It's actually cheaper.

AznDrgn

Instead of pouring oil down the cylinders or maybe in addition to it you might use fogging spray and fog the motor for storage. Basically it's lubricants and protectants in a can and you just spray it into the intake until you choke the motor out and it'll lubricate and protect valves, pistons, and cylinder walls. Fogging is a widely used practice for marine engines which are almost always winterized every year.

Zero10

I plan to fog my engine. I also plan to give the cylinders each a little squirt before firing it up, just because I'm ****

eohrnberger

I'm not really putting it away all that long. I figure that it'll be out by the end of April, and I'll put it away just before the first snow, so end of November. That's only 5 months or less.

I add gas stabilizer on a fresh full tank of premium, and change the oil and filter before I put it away (like the weekend before), up on jack stands, battery out, not much else.

If this spring was any indication, she'll fire right up on the first try of the key (unless I forget to put the battery in ).

lilredpo

I would change the oil so your good to go in the spring and also use a gas stabilizer.

My rule of thumb is to drive until the sand and salt hits the road, then wait until after two rainy days. Here in the northeast, I can make it through most of December, then intermittant through end of February.

You may also want to use some type of rodent repellant. Had field mice make a home on top of my airfilter element. Not sure how they got up into it and the car was in the garage. Damn buggers get in the starngest places.

Good luck!