Hi all,

My first winter with my 911_50 is fast approaching here in Calgary (as we saw last week), and I'd like to collect some advice on winter storage from all of you.

• Battery tender: the Tequipment one seems to have a good rep online. The dealer included it with my car. Plug and forget?
• Indoor car covers: I'm pretty worried about scratching as I put it on or off, especially after reading some of Matt's advice. Also, my garage can get a bit humid as my other vehicles bring in snow melt. Is the Porsche indoor cover a good pick?
• Fuel and oil prep: is a fuel stabilizer necessary? I was thinking I'd book the oil change in the Spring v. Autumn.
• Tire blocks: do you guys use tireblocks, jacks, or do you just leave it on the cement and move it occasionally?

Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer. I'm surprised my searches here didn't find much, but feel free to flame away if these questions have been asked ad nauseum. Hopefully having some answers in one thread will be helpful.

Stay warm,
Aaron

 

Storing for the first year as well in snow country. From everything I've read/heard heated storage is a must. Monthly rates are $100-$150 per month so pretty reasonable. Plug in the charger, and let it stay toasty warm for the winter.

 

I don't live in the frozen wasteland of the North, but my car(s) do sit for long periods at a time. 90/120 days

I use a CTEC charger, park them on carpet squares, and inflate the tires to 45/50. Keeps the flat spotting away.

 

I've read with the low profile tires no need to worry about flat spots? True or not?

Not doing a cover either. I'll just wash the car at the end of winter. Most dust will probably fly off in the first drive!

Looking to fill the tank with non ethanol gas too. I can get it like 1hr away from home. The ethanol is junk and serves no purpose other than to subsidize the corn/ethanol industries, and add water moisture to your car.

 

I can tell you from experience they DO flatspot. Left on an emergency, came back after 120 days to a set of Nitto Invo's that were ruined. 245/35 & 305/30's.

 

What options are out there to prevent or even risk it? We're talking like being parked for around 4 months.

Any risk to having it up on those stands with the safe disk system? Forget what they're called?

 

I saw a thread either here or Rlist that said NOT to store a Porsche on jack stands. There was quite a bit about it. Not good for your suspension parts that are intended to be in their normal compressed state with the weight of the car on them, instead now hanging in an extended state. Also there was mention of that surface rust would happen on part of the shock that should be compressed into the shock body but is now exposed due to the un-natural extension and exposure. That thread was a while back, don't know the accuracy of it. I think STG958 is referring to JackPoint jack stands. I have them and they are really nice.

 

That's makes sense about the suspension.

What about tires though? Anyone have suggestions?

JackPoint! Yes, thank you.

 

I see there are products like these.

 

I have a very old detached garage. I just giver a good waxing before it is put to bed. I use the Porsche trickle charger. It works fine. I don't use a cover - rodents will think it is nice blanket and live in it on top of my car - no thanks! I would also like to know how to avoid flat spots in the tires. I over inflate and periodically move the car at present. I try to take the car out once a month weather permitting. I have heard it is bad to just turn the car over and let it run so I like to get it up to speed. I am also not as concerned about water or snow as rock salt and that figures into when and if I drive it in the winter.

 

I plan to drive it til it snows (salts)
I'm fortunate to have a heated garage floor and will park on tire savers connected to a Ctek, with a full tank, rolling the car every other week.

Does anyone know where to get a cover that is not fitted, just a satin-like sheet like when they do unveilings? I would think these are lighter and would not rub as much.

 

How about a satin sheet from Bed, Bath, & Beyond? Or Nordstrom since this is a Porsche.

 

Hi Aaron,
PM me your address, I will swing by, pick up your car and store it here in sunny California for you. I will start it regularly, keep those tires from flat spotting and make sure it sees a bit of track time until the snow melts in Calgary. I will not even charge you for the storage or replacement brake pads.

 

I store my GT3 in a friends garage.
I don't wash it all winter, detailer preps it before and after winter.

I over inflate the tires a touch and I do drive it still weather permitting once every two weeks. Just get it up to temp and get everything working and hot. Don't touch the paint, you do more damage, just leave it and have a good detailer give it a proper wash when it's ready to come out in the spring.

 

why not just move to a more favorable climate