Rep Power: 199

Alright guys so i've looked at my financial situation and with school starting up for me again, and insurance being as high as it is for me right now i've decided to put my car away for the winter. There are too many things that i have to fix with my car and i won't be able to afford that unless i don't drive it for a bit.

I was thinking about selling my car but i couldn't. So my dad agreed to let me use a parking spot in the garage over the winter to keep my car in. I'm going to still try to be active on the forum, but if i'm not at least you'll know where i disappeared to until April

So my question is what needs to be done to stop my car from not starting when i turn it on for the first time after winter? What needs to be done before, during, and after the "hibernation" to keep my car from dying?

 
Rep Power: 812

if you dont care about tires, you can leave the car on the ground. otherwise it should be on jackstands unless you plan to buy new ones after winter. change the oil now and leave it in, use a gas stabilizer, and disconnect the battery. should be fine for 4-6 months in winter.

 
Rep Power: 285

It's a good idea to store the car with higher octane gas in addition to fuel stabilizer as well, I'm considering storing my car for the winter too

 
Rep Power: 353

y use higher octane gas? i am curious.

i know if u use a fuel stabilizer like seafoam, FP60, or lucas it works well.

 
Rep Power: 812

fp-plus will keep the gas fresh for a year at least

 
Rep Power: 199

Talk with your insurance company to see if you can cancel for the winter. Some of them wont let you cancel unless you sell the car or it's totalled.. If its still owned by you and in your garage then they might now let you cancel for x amount of months. Look into it.

 
Rep Power: 199

Okay i'll pick up some fuel stabilizer tomorrow. Do i just pick up a bottle or whatever of it and dump it in my gas tank??

I'll also call insurance. I don't think they'll have a problem ... Belairdirect is more aimed towards students, they should understand why i need to pause it :P

 
Rep Power: 285

I forget the reasoning, it's a tip I was given awhile back, I'll need to ask the guy who told me why next time I see him.

 
Rep Power: 199

Maybe the higher Octane thing is aimed more towards us Canadian with colder winters? I don't know why that would be, just taking a guess?

 
Rep Power: 812

i would dump any insurance company that wont suspend your coverage for the winter. people do that all the time with their expensive cars that obviously have no business in the snow and have summer tires (read $50k+ vehicles).