winterizing a vehicle for storage

[lient]

I had a friend ask me to winterize her truck for storage this winter. I was just wondering what steps I should take to make sure it is winterized properly. I already have fuel stabilizer to put in and run the vehicle for a while to get it thru the fuel system. But beyond this I am not sure what else to do besides taking out the battery. What else should I do to make sure the vehicle is stored properly? It is a late 80s f150and will be stored outside. Thanks in advance.

[Scott K]

I would add something to prevent mice inside the cab, and under the hood.

[Mike_Top]

x2 on the mice issue. I let a truck sit outside all winter 2 years ago, without any mothballs anywhere. Luckily I checked things over before driving it again in the spring--the airbox was completely stuffed with grass, insulation, and whatever else mice use for nests!!

[Tom7227]

Make sure the antifreeze is up to snuff, maybe put in new oil so that it's nice and clean when it's started again. I used to see cars up on blocks but I think that maybe was an old time idea when tires were made of pure rubber or something. Not sure on it.

Put the anti-freeze protect windshield juice in the resivoir and run the system long enough so that it's all the way up through the pump. Be sure there is no food or beverage stuff in the cab, be sure to park it where it won't get a lot of runoff from a building. If it's in nice shape you may even consider tarping it to slow down the fading from the sun.

[Whoaru99]

Make sure the antifreeze is up to snuff, maybe put in new oil so that it's nice and clean when it's started again. I used to see cars up on blocks but I think that maybe was an old time idea when tires were made of pure rubber or something. Not sure on it.

Put the anti-freeze protect windshield juice in the resivoir and run the system long enough so that it's all the way up through the pump. Be sure there is no food or beverage stuff in the cab, be sure to park it where it won't get a lot of runoff from a building. If it's in nice shape you may even consider tarping it to slow down the fading from the sun.

I agree with all this, but not "maybe" on the oil. Change the oil before it's parked. Blocking it up I think is a good idea, but I don't do it on the car I park for winter and the minor flat spotting seems to round back out after a couple miles.

If you tarp, which inherently isn't a bad idea, a breathable tarp is good and make sure it's tight. Any flopping around can damage the paint, if that's a concern.

[Jeremy airjer W]

I'd agree with changing the oil before storing it.

Other than stabilizing the fuel and checking coolant protection and quality there really shouldn't be a whole lot more. Removing the battery and storing it indoors wouldn't be a bad idea.

Once temps get below freezing you don't have to worry to much about "winterizing". Winterizing would be protecting your vehicle from the temperature swings that you see before winter sets in and as spring approaches. The freezing temps of winter pretty much put a halt or slow considerably the oxidation processes that you are trying to protect the vehicle from.

I've often thought about this but have never tried it. Spraying the rotors and/or drums with some sort of penetrating lube to keep them from rusting when storing outside? I know it doesn't make sense but if you could preserve them it would be one less expense to have to deal with when you finally start to drive it again. What do you think?

[Macgyver55]

I've often thought about this but have never tried it. Spraying the rotors and/or drums with some sort of penetrating lube to keep them from rusting when storing outside? I know it doesn't make sense but if you could preserve them it would be one less expense to have to deal with when you finally start to drive it again. What do you think?

At least they wouldnt squeal.

I dont know either, but I just pulled rotors off of a low mileage vehicle that sat for about a year with nothing done and the all 4 rotors needed to be machined because they were rusted so bad. Maybe WD40 or some other moisture displacer would work.