Vehicle Storage Advice

**mutant_tuna** · #1 (**permalink**) 08-08-2008, 03:31 PM

A friend has asked me for advice and I don't know the answers, can any give suggestions?

here are the facts. She will be putting her car into storage for a several months as she travels out of the country. What are some of the precautions she should take?

My guesses are to fill the gas tank, make sure the tires are properly inflated. and perhaps get a battery tender.

I appreciate any advice.

**Nitro8472** · #2 (**permalink**) 08-08-2008, 04:45 PM

I'd suggest removing the wheels and lifting the car off the ground!

________________________

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**mutant_tuna** · #3 (**permalink**) 08-08-2008, 05:05 PM

I heard somewhere that taking off the wheels and raising the car is bad for the suspension components.

SoCal Cayman · #4 (**permalink**) 08-08-2008, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mutant_tuna

My guesses are to fill the gas tank, make sure the tires are properly inflated. and perhaps get a battery tender.

Fill the gas tank and use STA-BIL. I use this on all my vehicles that require storage, and it works very well. Here is a "How-To" Article.

Battery Tender is a brand of battery charger, but yes use the proper charger to keep the battery charged; Porsche uses the CTEK brand.

Will someone be able to access the vehicle to at least move it a bit for the tires, and to check tire pressures?

**beez** · #5 (**permalink**) 08-08-2008, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mutant_tuna

I heard somewhere that taking off the wheels and raising the car is bad for the suspension components.

This is correct - do not raise the car... put about 5-7 lbs more than recommended cold pressures into the tires if you're worried about flat-spotting the tires... my CS sometimes sits for 2-3 months in the garage, and I don't do anything special with it, and have had no trouble... modern tires don't really flat-spot like they used to.

brad

**Nick_USA** · #6 (**permalink**) 08-08-2008, 05:32 PM

If your worried about flat spotting after pumping up the tires you can always roll the car onto carpet tiles, this is what the dealers do in the showroom.

**mutant_tuna** · #7 (**permalink**) 08-08-2008, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCal Cayman

Battery Tender is a brand of battery charger, but yes use the proper charger to keep the battery charged; Porsche uses the CTEK brand.

So does the battery charger stay connected to the car while it is in storage?

**Santa Fe** · #8 (**permalink**) 08-08-2008, 05:52 PM

Yes that would be the safest method. There are also many threads here on storage, winterizing and so on that are worth reading.

**mutant_tuna** · #9 (**permalink**) 08-08-2008, 06:33 PM

I did a search for "storage" and didn't find any relevant threads. Most dealt with golf clubs and luggage that fits in the front trunk.

Too bad there is no information in the manual.

**PolarPorsche** · #10 (**permalink**) 08-08-2008, 07:00 PM

I store my car for about 6 months every year, due to driving conditions here in the frozen north. As mentioned previously, inflate the tires to 45 lbs, no need to put car on jacks. Add fuel stabilizer to fuel tank, no need to fill the tank. Plug in a battery tender and your good. I get the oil changed also, just because I put about 4000 ml on it over the summer months. I wash & wax the car before I cover it up for the winter, because I'm anal about keeping my vehicles clean. I have done this for the past 3 winters and have not had any problem with the car.

**Santa Fe** · #11 (**permalink**) 08-08-2008, 07:05 PM

Well here is one of a few Winterizing My Cayman to read. Are you sure about that Owner's manual (page 203 of the '06 version)?? smiley guy back at ya...