Rep Power: 291

Well guys, Im putting my civic away for the winter and got a beater, my question is....Im nearly due for an oil change and was wondering..should I change the oil before I put it away or wait untill spring when it comes out of hibernation? the dealership said when I take it out, I just want some second opinions....Also anything else I should do to prepare for winter storage??? besides put some plastic under the car so moisture doesnt come up and put a car cover on it? Fill the gas tank? anything else?

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 
Rep Power: 291

anyone?

 
Rep Power: 304

I think you should get the oil change. I don't the logic behind my resoning just answering you because you wanted a response. There is no harm in getting an oil change early, but it is bad to get it late. Its a preventative measure. If your taking so much are of your car by storing it away for the winter I would that extra step.

 
Rep Power: 0

You have to change your oil. The acids and other harmful substances in your dirty oil can eat into your engine metals over time as it sit there. You can change your oil again when you drive, but that shouldnt be that big of a deal. You might want to add fuel stabilizer to your gas. Car cover is a good idea too.

 
Rep Power: 0

change the oil man and keep that cover on good and tight

 
Rep Power: 288

^ i concur with this man

 
Rep Power: 563

Change the oil....
Keep the tank 1/4 at the most...
add fuel stabilizer...
Disconnect the battery...

If you have a different set of wheels like steelies....put those on. Don't flat spot your good stuff.

And.....

if your garage floor has any cracks in it...park the car on top of a large tarp to keep moisture from rising up under the car.

and try to start it and let it run for 5-10 mins once every week or two.

If you're really over cautious like me....you'll Krown rust proof the car anyway.

 
Rep Power: 291

Thanks guys, ya maybe i will get it changed before I put it away.

Also Ive heard your supposed to fill the tank up with gas, so moisture cant accumulate in the tank? now someone said 1/4 full at the most? wich one is best?

 
Rep Power: 399

if you start it up once a week or so, and let it run a bit, you dont have to do the battery or fuel stabilizer. and you can put as much gas in the tank as you want if you do that also. but i suggest premium if you do.

 
Rep Power: 811

Ya it's a bad idea to let the car sit for that long. Very hard on the drivetrain and other stuff like wheels.

 
Rep Power: 563

which is why I think you should run it if once and awhile if you can. I had to start up my old 74 Camaro alot...hehe...parent's hated that thing running in the garage for 10 minutes at a time.

again...if you have a **** set of tires that fit your wheels or maybe just the OEM stuff....toss them on as well.

 
Rep Power: 0

don't start the car at all, unless you are able to drive it and get the oil up to normal operating temps to vaporize any water vapor and fuel contaminents. All you are doing by starting it and shutting it down 10 minutes later is introducing contaminents in your oil. If you are storing it for an extended period of time (years), then you should fog the motor. I have been storing cars every year for 16 years and I never start the car until I take it out the following spring. Do a search on this topic at: http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi

Paul

 
Rep Power: 811

Just drive it around every couple weeks. Take it to the highway and drive it for 30 mins and bring it back. I'll never understand why people put their cars away for the winter unless it's a full blown show car.

 
Rep Power: 0

well, some people have cars that are not very "winter friendly" and instead of smashing into a guard rail they choose to not drive it. Others don't want the salt eating away at all the metal parts over time. For me it's a combination of both. I try not to even drive my "fun" cars in the rain. That's what I have my daily driver for and why I bought this Civic.

 
Rep Power: 291

well, I already got a beater so i figure why not put the civic away for winter, save on km's and keep her looking good! It just makes sense.

 
Rep Power: 563

yup yup. If I was keeping my civic I woulda been doing the same thing. Only part that sucks is that it already did every winter since I got it in Nov 2000 but oh well. My new car will never and I mean NEVER see snow.

 
Rep Power: 811

My car has been through 2 bad winters with snow, salt, everything and it stil looks better than when I bought it off the lot. People drive around much more expensiive cars than we do here, and they are fine too. Just imo.

 
Rep Power: 563

My car looks fine on the outisde...it's what happens in the engine bay that gets me angry.

 
Rep Power: 0

I have put mine in storage as well, I didnt put all this time and money into my car just to have it in the ditch because of road conditions, plus keeping the salt off the car will help it last in the long run. It also keeps my mileage low as well.

 
Rep Power: 275

Not a good idea!! You trap any moisture under there and you're asking for trouble. As long as the car is in dry storage you're fine. The only thing you have to worry about is dust (not that bad). There are some cover that are breathable like the "Technalon II Evolution IV" covers. They run about 100-150, but like I said, it's not at all necessary if the car is in dry storage.