heavysixer22

It's going to be my first winter with my 997.1 and I've decided to put it away for the season.

I know, I know.

It's a California car and is in lovely shape, but I live in Northern New Jersey and I can't imagine subjecting it to all the grit, grime, and potholes that are the traditional hallmarks of our winter.

I have an idea of WHAT to do (lots of great checklists out there) but I'm not sure WHEN to do it.

I suppose the answer is when it's reliably 45 degrees or cooler (summer tires) or before the roads are salted for the first snow, but I'm just guessing.

Anyone have more tangible thoughts on when's the best time to put the bear in the cave for the winter?

Ironman88

I lived in MN for 10 years - with a Porsche. I would keep a close eye on the forecasts and would look to put the car away prior to the first snow of the season. In that part of the country, it would usually be around the end of October or so. I would try to time it so that the oil was changed just prior to putting the car away.

In your part of the country - looks like around November 15th historically is the point of first snowfall...

Snowfall

Snow is relatively common in New Jersey, with most of it occurring between November 15 and April 15. Significant Snowfall is much rarer along the coastline and in South Jersey than in Interior North Jersey. [4] The record for 24-hour snowfall is 32 inches in Rutherford on December 14, 1915. The greatest snow depth ever recorded was 52 inches at the Canistear Reservoir in Vernon Township on February 5, 1961.[5]

heavysixer22

THIS is very detailed info Ironman, and I think it's great!

I kinda had mid-November in my head as the time, and this affirms that.

BUT I also want to wait as long as possible because I love that damn car. Maybe I should just get a set of snows and drive sparingly in the winter. GAH!!! Making myself crazy already and it's only mid-October!!

rileyracing1

Mine goes in officially on Nov 15 to April 15th .... I have learned over the years to not completely put it away as there are always a few unseasonably nice dry decent days where I can get the car out for a good spin just to get everything up to temp and moving again. The only thing is I keep it on the trickle charger and about a quarter tank of fuel and when those nice days rolled around I would burn off most of the fuel in the tank and then top it off with another 1/4 tank of fresh fuel. Good for another month or two before the next nice day. My storage area never gets below zero so storage does not need to be as extreme as others may require.

raclaims

I keep driving mine until there is salt on the ground...if there's a good rain and the salt is washed away I'll drive the cars.

speedracerf4i

Never!!!

heavysixer22

This was my original strategy, and I think it's still a solid one.

Lately NNJ winters have been mild enough that those rains come through now and again and wash the salt away.

I was thinking I'd park up when the snow falls and roll out after a good rain, and park up again if needed. Might be the way to go—our winters aren't what they used to be.

heavysixer22

This is tempting and makes me think I'm overthinking what "away" means.

I know I'm likely going to break and take the car out now and again, so maybe a just trickle charger and perhaps some over-inflated tires is the way to go.

I'll treat it like wearing shorts in the winter—do it whenever the weather allows!

bschurr

Former Bergen County guy here now NY State right over the NJ border and this has been my strategy with lots of non-DD cars for several decades! And, I always wash after each drive.

lfq

I'm planning around early November, or whenever the first "real" snowfall (one you think will stick around) happens.

I also live in a part of Canada that will get -40 in winter, though, so.

Nova997

Great plate.

muvment

In Seattle. I drive it with the top down in freezing weather with a hat and gloves on. Not so good for my summer tires. Or the car. I don't care. It's worth it.

4Driver4

This. The track car is parked for the year, but I'll drive the rest of the jalopies until the first snow. I tend not to pull them out in the dead of winter even for a clean road, but a nice day in March gets them all out for a drive.

On a related note, I can do this because storing means fresh oil, full tank of gas with stabilizer, and a tender. No over inflating tires, no jack stands, no other nonsense. Basically just park and cover (if I have a cover that fits)

doclouie

Move to Texas and never put it away. LOL. Once the snow flies a few times that is when I put my Porsche away for the winter when I lived in Michigan.

Greg2010

First snow of the year here in So Cal. Time to put it away as temps are dropping to 80 deg tomorrow...nevertheless, still planning on taking it out again tomorrow!