Storing the car for a couple months?
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Joined: Jun 2022
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Storing the car for a couple months?
How do you all store your car when you won't be able to drive it for a few months? I live on the west coast, so normally I drive my sports cars all year. But this winter, I'll be unable to drive and am not sure how to best store it. Disconnect the battery? Pump the tires up? Any specific advice you might have for me?
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 129
Likes: 29
Here in New Hampshire, I store my 981Cayman S from November 1st through May 1st. It's best to put the battery on a charger, I prefer the CTEK MX5 5.0 model, be sure you put the negative clip on a chassis ground, refer to your Operator's Manual to identify where the ground is. After talking with PCA Members many years ago I always add the appropriate amount of STA-BIL 360 Marine (it's blue) however STA-BIL has come out with a Storage Fuel Stabilizer. I also purchased 16" Flatstoppers, probably overkill for you. One final note: On the PCA site there are many helpful hints, there's one video that talks about fuel formulas and recommends adding a good amount of Ethanol Free Fuel just prior to storage and run it through the system. Don't forget to prepare your Porsche if you're storing it this winter | PCA Tech Tips | The Porsche Club of America Good Luck
Thread Starter
AutoX
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 11
Likes: 6
Here in New Hampshire, I store my 981Cayman S from November 1st through May 1st. It's best to put the battery on a charger, I prefer the CTEK MX5 5.0 model, be sure you put the negative clip on a chassis ground, refer to your Operator's Manual to identify where the ground is. After talking with PCA Members many years ago I always add the appropriate amount of STA-BIL 360 Marine (it's blue) however STA-BIL has come out with a Storage Fuel Stabilizer. I also purchased 16" Flatstoppers, probably overkill for you. One final note: On the PCA site there are many helpful hints, there's one video that talks about fuel formulas and recommends adding a good amount of Ethanol Free Fuel just prior to storage and run it through the system. Don't forget to prepare your Porsche if you're storing it this winter | PCA Tech Tips | The Porsche Club of America Good Luck
Wouldn't the battery die way before 6 months? If the car sits for 2 months, I'm assuming its not going to be able to just start and drive away.
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Drifting
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No need to risk a frunk jump. A CTEK or equivalent hooked directly to the battery is common practice. Manual says to inflate tires to max for storage, about 50 psi, to prevent flat spots. Premium gas supposedly lasts 9 months. You can add a can of stabilizer for insurance. Getting a tank or 1/2 of ethanol free is a bonus. Make sure the garage is rodent free. Glue traps are cheap. An indoor car cover will keep it dust free.
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I once had a temporary assignment to American Samoa for six months. I dropped my Corvette off at my parents and asked my dad just to start it up a couple of times a month. That worked for me. My dad really liked driving it.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 633
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From: South Dakota
I'm lucky and have access to a heated garage for the winter months. I just hook up the CTEK maintainer and pop the hood latch in case I have a battery issue. Then I walk away with a tear in my eye since I won't get to drive it for about 5 months when the snow will finally melt. Gas will be fine for that amount of time. No rodents in that building.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 253
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From: Western Pennsylvania
I've been storing a sport car for 20 years and yesterday my BS was put away for the winter. I've have to agree with our colleague from NH. Shortly before going into storage, run out the normal fuel and fill it ethanol-free gas and add fuel stabilizer. If one lives near the water, 90 octane ethanol-free gas is often available to boaters, so it's not necessary to buy expensive racing or aviation blends. I don't use a CTEK, but an inexpensive Black and Decker one connected to the lighter plug on center consol. While there are other lighter outlets in vehicle (glove box and passenger footwell), some shut down after removing the key. Oddly, there seems to be differing opinions on which outlet remains active and which doesn't. My biggest concern is mice damage to wiring, so I spread clothes dryer sheets around the interior, frunk and trunk. While there is no science actually supporting this, I've avoided mice thus far. Also, one more tip: don't store car with parking brake engaged. Under some conditions, moisture on the rear pads can fix them by rust to rotors and it's quite a bond. So much so, that the car can't be moved. BTW, I've learned this the hard way.