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I am storing my honda for the winter and was wondering if anybody had some tips for doing this which aren't mentioned in the manual? I have been recommended to use fuel stabilizer so that the gas doesn't go "flat" over the winter and don't know if this is a good idea.
Also, I am storing for 5 months tops, the manual recommends that if storing for "a longer period" it should be lifted by jack stands to keep the tires off the ground, does anybody know why this is?

If you post, thank you.

 
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When we store my fathers MGs ('80 MGB & '50 MG-TD) we always add a Stabilizer to the tank then fill it. Pull the battery and bring that home, can put it on a tender/trickle charger or we just store it on the heated porch on an open air shelf and charge it fresh in the spring.
The jackstands for long periods is to keep the tires from developing a flat spot/deformity. The longer it sits all the weight is on the same spots and over time it will permanently deform that spot. Over winter I wouldn't worry about that.

Depending on where you are storing it you may want to cover the air intake point to avoid rodents getting into the air box/intake and making a nest. Not really an issue with a cone filter but stock intakes on most vehicles have open tubing that goes into the box, creating a highway and nest location for small furry woodland creatures. Plastic bag and duct tape does it.

 
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Tires, see what the other poster said about flat spots.
If you aren't going to get them off the ground, then air them up to the max spec printed on the sidewall.


Sta-bil? Depends on how long you will store it, but it is a good idea. Follow instructions.

Fill the gas tank.

CLEAN AND WAX.

Car cover?

Store inside a garage if possible, not in the yard. LOL

Mice? Mothballs! D-con! Yeah, steel mesh over the air filter (breather) inlet is a great idea if you might have rodents. Same deal with the blower air inlet (HVAC) if you can get to it.
Remove rodent food from your storage area!


Google for more ideas!
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Battery, use a battery tender (for motorcycle, boat, and other toys) or go out and trickle charge it once a month.

If you can't get to the car at all, disconnect the battery and bring it inside. It should be checked once a month anyway and charged as needed, they will discharge themselves over time.



If you can get to the car and get it out, it's best to simply drive the car at least once a month all the way through warmup to operating temperature, plus at least 20 minutes. This way you can avoid almost all prepwork.

Even if it sits for a month at a time, the battery may still be drained down by the car so a maintainer might still be a good idea.

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My truck sat about 5 years, no prep at all. I tossed a hot battery in it and cranked until it fired. Drove it. Old gas, didn't run great but drove it until the tank was empty.
I actually had a raccoon living in the engine compartment of my truck for a while when it wasn't in the garage. (slightly less destructive than mice and squirrels, I suppose.)

People ask what I do to my bike to store it for winter.....I always tell them, "Put the kickstand down."
I rode it a little bit on Friday evening, it was a balmy 35*F degrees out.


But see, I can deal with almost anything that goes sour on my own stuff when it sits. Not everyone else can do that.



I wanna see pics of the TD please!

 
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Here's an alternative to using jack stands: http://www.raceramps.com/long-term-storage.aspx

(I've got a couple of sets of their ramps for light maintenance work... quality products, and they don't slip on the garage floor)

 
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As you wish!
This one we took up in Lake George at the Adirondack Nationals Car Show at the end of August. Didn't enter, just went up to see the show and BS with other people.




And one when we tucked him in for the winter.

 
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My goodness, that thing is beautiful.

But, back to OP: I'd definitely recommend getting the tires off the ground, or at least those race ramps that eastsider posted up. Back when I was in the Navy and had to store my car for months at a time (let my sister take it if I was to be deployed/gone for more than 3 months), I made sure I was under covered parking and always disconnected my negative terminal.

 
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TD is sweet! Thanks for that!

 
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thanks for that link