Winterizing your DSM

[4g631976]

I would like this tread to be helpful for everyone on the board so I will start on how I store my DSM in the winter, and everyone please add tips and or correct me if I'm doing something wrong.

I store my car in the garage, new oil and filter, full tank of gas, gasline antifreeze. I don't feel the need to put the car up on jacks because I like to give her a drive here and there when the roads are clear. I will routinely start the car every 2-3 weeks and drive it up the street. I Make sure my tires are positioned differently every time I take her out, to avoid lumpy tires.
I will also trickle charge the battery every 2 weeks, and if its super cold out I will have it on trickle for the night to avoid a frozen cell. I have seen it as cold as -25 in Orangeville:bawling:
There is nothing like driving your DSM in negative temperatures, the car feels supernatural. :driver:

[Greg92TSI]

Unfortuneatly I'm going to have to store mine outside which sucks. I will be putting it up on jack stands, full tank of gas, gasline antifreeze etc. I will probably start it like every week or couple of weeks. I wish I had garage space to store my car I feel bad leaving it outside lol.

I was also reading about storing a car and they say you should wash it, wax it, get all the dirt out of the little cracks, lube the weather stripping etc. They also say to make sure any holes into the car are plugged so no rodents get in there. They also say to put steel wool in the exhaust again so no rodents get in it.

That is probably taking it to far tho and is unnecessary. I think that is if you have a really old car and want to keep it mint shape.

Here's a link on how to store a vehicle over winter but I think some of that stuff is just overkill lol.

http://www.techguys.ca/howto/winter.html

[boosted1]

If you are aware of rodents, then you must prepare for them. They don't like moth balls (keep these outside of the cabin) cloves, charcoal, irish spring, bounce sheets, and do NOT use poison, this attracts them.
Fill the tank, use anti freeze and stabilizer.
If your not going to start your engine once a month, use engine storage spray. put it down each spark plug hole, (I love this stuff, it works great!)
Greg, there will be different rules when storing outside. Talk to me next year, I might be able to make room for you.
Jacking the car up, leaves room for the argument that your suspension will not stay "loaded" I dont know the answer to this one, but my plan is to have a set of old tires the car can sit on for the winter.

[4g631976]

I'm going to have to store mine outside which sucks

Greg if I ever win the big one. You will have a space in my heated warehouse were i keep all my toys. A guy can always dream:Thinkingof_:

[91 TSI]

Why put it away for the winter? AWD snow drifting is a lot of fun:driver:

It's best to fully charge the batt. and bring it inside for the winter. Then charge it before before you use it again. Over charging with a trickle charger killed my batt last winter. if you are leaving it on the floor. Put plywood under the tires. If putting it up on stands. I have heard both ways of doing it. If you are leaving it out side, do not leave the suspension un loaded. The bare metal on shocks can rust.

[TSI Talon]

Very helpful...thanks

[boosted brit]

I am driving mine through the winter, and if i'm been honest i've been looking forward to it.

[TSI Talon]

Another tip I heard was parking the car on Styrofoam...apparently it relieves the pressure on the wheels from becoming flat and actually supports them....just something I heard

[91 TSI]

I would advise against starting evry couple of weeks. The temp chages from cold to hot, will cause condesate to build up in the motor. Ever notice how much some your car blows in the winter?
Park it for the winter. Then change all the fluids before you start the car.

[Mark@ForcePower]

I would advise against starting evry couple of weeks. The temp chages from cold to hot, will cause condesate to build up in the motor. Ever notice how much some your car blows in the winter?
Park it for the winter. Then change all the fluids before you start the car.

Good advise. If your not going to drive it during the winter, don't bother starting it.

Remove the battery (take it in doors).
Fill your fuel tank and use fuel stabilizer if you like.
Make sure you have good coolant.
Over inflate your tires a little.
Don't jack it up and leave the suspension hanging.

If your going to leave it outdoors, make sure you wash and wax it first and if you can, get it oil-guarded underneath.

Other than the above, the best place to store it is at ForcePower. Getting it up-graded for next year. lol.

[Sgt Rocks Laser]

If you can't afford a professional oil-guard, you can use my method.
Put a crack in your oil return line and drive the car for awhile.
Instant undercoating, and body coating, window coating, wheel coating...
Well you can't win them all :smashfreakB: