Winter storage

[CRC123]

Picked my Car on December 1st here in Michigan put it on dollies and hooked up a battery tender. My plan is to not start it until April is anything wrong with that? Finding out now that she will go into sleep mode in two weeks. Any problems with her being in sleep mode for four months. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated….Thank You

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[somckinney]

I would recommend starting it at least every two weeks if possible.

 

[dmwphoto]

I would think it would be just fine

 

[robvas]

I would recommend starting it at least every two weeks if possible.

Why?

Cold starts are bad. If you're not going to let the car get to operating temp for a bit don't even touch it.

 

[jbrnigan]

Do whatever you like. You will never get a consensus "opinion" here.....
We got 4" of snow last week, today, the snow has melted, the roads are clear and dry, I plan to uncover my car and go for a drive. Snow is forcasted for tomorrow. This will be my routine until spring.

 

[CRC123]

i will do what I want. Just wondering if anyone had a problem with letting the car sit without starting.is all

 

[FrostyOne]

i will do what I want. Just wondering if anyone had a problem with letting the car sit without starting.is all

I took delivery of my DH in Sept 2024, parked it up on dollies covered and a battery tender hooked up. I started it about every 3-4 weeks opened up the hood ran it until it hit up to operating temp and had it sit there for 5 mins. Who doesn't like listening to a V8 rumble and blipping the throttle allows me to dream about getting it back on the road in the spring.

Car ran fine all last spring/summer/fall and have never seen heard anything awry with it. I think personal preference is important. I'm sure that just leaving it sit all winter also shouldn't be an issue.... but who doesn't like hearing a pop or two on the over run?

Just my thoughts likely someone else will crucify me for my actions.

 

[mpali5]

Ford recommends starting it every 15 days , running it till oil completely warms up and moving it about 25ft or so just to let the drive train lubricate after all oil completely drains of gears.

 

[robvas]

That's only for people who don't properly store a car. They'll go to start it after three months and it'll be dead and they'll call the dealer looking for help.

 

[jeffnudi]

Biggest thing I suggest is a Battery Tender. I have never stored a car, but my motorcycle stays up north when I head south for the winter. I make sure fluids are fresh and gas tank is topped off, hook up the Battery Tender, and its good until I get back there in the spring.

 

[jbrnigan]

That's only for people who don't properly store a car. They'll go to start it after three months and it'll be dead and they'll call the dealer looking for help.

No offense, but how do "YOU" know that's who Ford wrote that for? Does that mean to you, that "IF" you properly store a car, you can ignore Fords recommendations? (just curious)

 

[robvas]

No offense, but how do "YOU" know that's who Ford wrote that for? Does that mean to you, that "IF" you properly store a car, you can ignore Fords recommendations? (just curious)

Common sense.

If you're parking it for 3-6 months (depends how long your winter is) just disconnect the battery

They tell you to disconnect the battery in their instructions as well. It just makes zero sense to start it every two weeks.

They also don't mention fuel stabilizer at all.

If your car isn't driven every day in the summer and you haven't driven it in two weeks, would you go start it just to run it for 15 minutes, just because you have not driven it? (maybe it's a convertible and weather has been bad, or you were on vacation, or just busy...)

They also want you to change the oil afterwards? These directions are storing for 30 days or more.

Do what you want to do it's not going to make any difference.

 

[SR5BART]

Mine sits in garage on a tender from the time salt hits the roads until about late March early April once enough rain has time to wash all salt off the roads. I have done this with every “toy” car I’ve owned for years without issue.

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