Winterizing Your 3S

[Kev3000GT]

Hey guys! I live in Lou. KY and winter is fast approaching. What tips do you have for a guy who will be winterizing his 3000GT? The only things I can think of is:
one last wax b4 winter
of course put on stock rims
I'm gonna put the heat shield back on my hood and take out my intake and put the airbox back in. Another minor thing is that I'm getting heavy-duty floormats for all the damn snow I'll be bringing in my car!
Any thoughts/additions?

[YogsVR4]

Sounds like you intend on driving it during the winter. If so, then your list looks good. I store mine so that list is a bit different.

If anything, you may not want the stock rims on, you might want to get a smaller tire. Both the VR4s and the SLs wider tires get the car moving fine, but stopping is always a guessing game. As for the weather conditions, if they use lots of salt and sand down there - do not put on a car bra (or take it off if you have one). I know chips and scratches are inevitable but if a any of that gets behind the bra, it'll gouge the hell out of your finish.

[mike93vr4]

what should you do to your car if you store it anything

[YogsVR4]

If the car is stored outdoors, you'll want to give it a wax but you won't need to if you keep it indoors. Before I list out the things you should do to tuck it away for several months, you can always just start it up and drive it around for five minutes every three weeks or so.

First step is to make sure you have the security number because you will be taking out the battery which will reset the system after you put it back in.

Indoors is better then not.
Heated is better then not.
Carcover is better then not.

• Clean the car.
• Wax the car. There is no such thing as waxing it to many times.
• Vacuum the interior. Wash the carpeting if you can.
• If indoors and on concrete, put down a heavy piece of plastic to prevent condensation on the undercarriage.
• Take out the spark plugs
• Put oil into the cylinder and hand turn it a dozen times to make sure everything is coated.
• Put the plugs back in. Some people think you should put some anti-seazing on them, but I haven't had any issues.
• Disconnect and take out the battery. Store in a dry warm place (or it will discharge faster)
• Put some grease (or WD-40) on the door, trunk and hood latches so they don't get rusty.
• Check all fluid levels and make sure they are filled. You are allowed to skip the window washer fluid level.
• To prevent mice from finding a new home, either load up the engine bay with moth balls, or stuff rags into the intake.
• Jack up the car. You may want to take off the rims and store them seperately.
• If outdoors, take off the wiper blades so they don't get stuck to the window.

In the spring do the following (the order isn't all that important. Its obvious in some spots). Take out the mothballs and rags. Put the tires back on. Lower the car. Charge the battery. Put the batter in. Reenter your security code. Change the oil. Start the car. Enjoy the summer.

[mike93vr4]

thank i will do that but why jack the car up?

[Kev3000GT]

Yeah, it's my daily driver. I wish it wasn't but I can't afford even a beater second car until I pay this one off. Thanks for the info, Yogs!

[YogsVR4]

Originally Posted by mike93vr4

thank i will do that but why jack the car up?

The tires on our cars are generally very soft. They can develop a flat spot from sitting on the same location on the tire over several months. Getting the weight off of them will prevent that. In addition, if you have any type of slow leak - you don't want the weight of the car to end up directly on the rims.

[Igovert500]

I'm still debating whether to store it or not...I definantly need it through Christmas break...but last winter/spring, the snow and salt up here were not my friends. It's my daily driver, but I do have free bus passes, plus I'm close to the 60K and don't have the money for it yet...and saving insurance would be great too.

One question...what do you guys do about insurance when you store it. I called my agent, and they said that Progressive doesn't really have a storage policy...so I can either drop Progressive and go with someone else...which I don't really want to do, and this will also involve turning in my plates...just alot of hassles.

[sLADe781]

Originally Posted by Igovert500

I'm still debating whether to store it or not...I definantly need it through Christmas break...but last winter/spring, the snow and salt up here were not my friends. It's my daily driver, but I do have free bus passes, plus I'm close to the 60K and don't have the money for it yet...and saving insurance would be great too.

One question...what do you guys do about insurance when you store it. I called my agent, and they said that Progressive doesn't really have a storage policy...so I can either drop Progressive and go with someone else...which I don't really want to do, and this will also involve turning in my plates...just alot of hassles.

Well, how long are you planning to store? Only about a month, right? If so then unless you could find a "better" insurance company then I don't see the point in going through all that hassle. I hate it during the winter season because it rains like crazy here and everything gets flooded.

[Technical_Automan]

Man, I used to be able to afford the 3S and a beater, but this winter, it's either sell the 3S or sell the beater, cuz of school....so obviously the beater's going byebye. But my plans for winterization are:

- Professional Paint touch up (scratches, nicks, rock spots)
- Professional Wax
- Undercoating
- Winter Floor mats
- Wash every 2 days (have done it before all through winter)

I know a few people that do only this before every winter (except the wash), and their car's are spotless. AND their car's are like 15-20 years old!!

[osok_deadeye_21]

Haha Damn bro are you a mind reader? I am moving to lexington this winter and was just about to post this exact same one you did so weird. Great post btw haha.

[YogsVR4]

My insurance is through Auto Owners and I do put the car on storage for the winter. In general - its a good idea to go insurance shopping at least once a year. You can usually find a better deal.