Winter Storage Questions

[jimandela]

Ray,
living just outside Buffalo,NY i choice to put her away.
I followed the directions in the owners manual. (wood and carpet under the wheels, plastic on the ground under the car, oil changed just before, stable put in the tank, tank filled and covered.)

now i will visit it every 3-4 weeks start it (about 4 starts per winter)let it run about 20 mins and in the spring change oil and plugs.

this is my first time storing a car I hope all goes well... it should...
best wishes
JIM

 

[Ron]

<FONT face="Comic Sans MS">My 2 cents based on same garage scenario, about a 3 1/2 month hibernation and in no particular order:

Battery Tender on (inspect battery tray for corrosion before hibernation though). For what it's worth, I run the tender through a surge protected power strip,

Tires inflated to sidewall max (44 psi as I remember)

Verify your antifreeze protection level and freshness

Verify windshield washer antifreeze protection level

As stated previously, park over a plastic sheet and on plywood and carpet squares

Leave shifter in neutral

Interior and leather freshly cleaned

Fresh engine oil & filter

Fresh brake fluid

Full fuel tank, add some Stabil fuel preservative

Windows left open an inch

Fresh Zaino

Car cover on

I do not start it until first use in spring.

Found that this scenario work well last year.</FONT f>

 

[jwwiii]

Ray;

I really advise the "Car Capsule" by PDK. This is the inflateable bubble that protects the entire Viper. It costs about $350. I used it first time for storage last year to keep out the MICE! The little @#@# got into my wifes Audi and made a mess.

I don't think you need to go too crazy. I changed my oil and filter, washed it (and let it dry well!) and inflated the tires to about 40psi. I hooked up the Deltran Battery Tender (to a surge protector) and ran an extension cord with length to spare.

Layed out the bubble, unzipped it, drove the Viper on, ran the extension cord out, and zipped it up! Plugged in the bubble ac cord, and presto, the thing inflates all by itself and runs all winter long, silently. Plus, it is clear, so I can go out and look at the car anytime. Very, very cool way to store your Machine. Check into one on the web.

Sincerely,

Jim Wallace

 

[Hot Rod]

This will be my first experience storing the Viper over winter. Same set of issues - unheated gagage, uninsulated and too much damm snow in Connecticut last couple of winters. Sounds like some pretty good advise on the other posts. I've stored two motorcycles with battery tenders running all winter. Just cranked them over every couple of weeks and worked just fine. My wife will think I'm nuts running three tenders but the electric company will love me.

Rod '99 RT/10

 

[jimandela]

tony,
I too have a unheated, no electric garage this year.
Hoping the battery makes it through.
In the "cold" storage did you leave the windows open a little?
right now they are closed. Maybe i should go open them?
thanks
JIM

 

[tzoid]

I live near Pittsburgh, so winter storage is a way of life, sadly. Pretty much same story as the others, but you don't have to go overboard. Oil and filter change before you put it away...use a premium grade diesel oil or Mobile One, 10W30. Fill the tank with fresh gas....it'll last a good 4-5 months without getting stale, just be sure you get as much in the tank as possible (avoids condensation problem + you've got mostly fresh fuel that way). I use 3/4" plywood with thick living room type carpet on top of the board under the tires. Also fill tires with max air pressure, at least 40 lbs. Never had a flat spot yet and I've owned 2 Vipers through 6 winters. Block up wipers off windshield...not many people know this one. Leave in neutral, no brake on, no locked doors and crack windows open. If yours is a typical home garage, don't worry about mildew...never had a problem. Most important, get a high quality Battery Tender (NOT a chager). Through the lousy winter, its nice to occasionally put on a coat of Zaino....I usually get about 4 or 5 on. Car looks great in Spring. Oh yeah, I would not start it up. Leave her shut down...it'll be fine as long as the tender is working. It'll fire on the first pull. DO NOT drive in the winter if your DOT guys use anti-skid (a.k.a. tiny stones!), like our PennDot guys use. They destroy windshields as well as paint. Its just not worth it. Other than that, pray for an early Spring....you'll learn to hate this time of year.