General Tech Ask model specific questions in the appropriate category below. All other general questions within.

Winter Storage Question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 11-08-2009, 09:01 AM
  #1  
Captain_Oblivious83
Thread Starter
 
Captain_Oblivious83's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 3
Default Winter Storage Question

I'm getting ready to put my mustang in the garage for the winter. I was told by several people that I should put the car up on jack stands so that the tires don't get flat spots on them from sitting in the same place all winter. Is this really necessary, or is it just a load of bs?
Thanks in advance,
C.O
Captain_Oblivious83 is offline  
Old 11-08-2009, 09:20 AM
  #2  
RogerDodger1
2nd Gear Member
 
RogerDodger1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 255
Default

Originally Posted by Captain_Oblivious83
I'm getting ready to put my mustang in the garage for the winter. I was told by several people that I should put the car up on jack stands so that the tires don't get flat spots on them from sitting in the same place all winter. Is this really necessary, or is it just a load of bs?
Thanks in advance,
C.O
Flat spotting can occur and it wouldn't hurt to be safe. Tires aren't cheap anymore.
RogerDodger1 is offline  
Old 11-08-2009, 09:32 AM
  #3  
Timspony
SVT Section Moderator
 
Timspony's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Burnt Hills, NY
Posts: 15,601
Default

...Pump the tires up to 42-45 psi helps prevent flat spots
Timspony is offline  
Old 11-08-2009, 10:34 AM
  #4  
Captain_Oblivious83
Thread Starter
 
Captain_Oblivious83's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 3
Default

Thanks for the answer! I'll try to get it up on jackstands, but if that isn't possible, (not much room left in my garage) I'll inflate them to 45 psi and hope for the best.
Captain_Oblivious83 is offline  
Old 11-08-2009, 04:47 PM
  #5  
Monkeyleg
2nd Gear Member
 
Monkeyleg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: WI
Posts: 172
Default

Flat-spotting used to be a problem for stored cars, but the materials used for tires the last couple of decades have all but eliminated the problem.

I've been storing cars and motorcycles over the winter for nearly 30 years, and have never had flat spots.

My #1 concern is moisture condensation, so I put my car and motorcycle in Car Bag zippered storage "bags" along with bags of silica dessicant.
Monkeyleg is offline  
Old 11-08-2009, 11:06 PM
  #6  
Jfsram
4th Gear Member
 
Jfsram's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location:
Posts: 1,999
Default

I agree with not worrying about flat spots but also for the reason. I think a car is happier sitting on it's tires. So if it all all bothers you. Find some junker rims/tires to store the car on.
Jfsram is offline  
Old 11-09-2009, 04:59 PM
  #7  
hiboostwoody
3rd Gear Member
 
hiboostwoody's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Washington
Posts: 723
Default

The flat spot thing was more for cars with bias-ply tires. Steel belted radials don't have that problem. Be sure to put some Sta-bil in your gas and run it for a bit before you put it up. That'll keep your gas from turning to syrup and contaminating your entire fuel system.
hiboostwoody is offline  
Old 11-09-2009, 06:57 PM
  #8  
GreyStang
5th Gear Member
 
GreyStang's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location:
Posts: 3,062
Default

If you're nervous about flat spots & R too lazy to jack up the car,.. just leave a couple feet clearance in front of the stored car. Roll the car forward or backward a few feet every couple weeks
GreyStang is offline  
Old 11-09-2009, 10:57 PM
  #9  
Choppa
3rd Gear Member
 
Choppa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location:
Posts: 518
Default

if ur not gonna jack it atleast park it on sum carpets that way the concrete isnt touching the rubber and sucking the moisture out of the tires (no scientific proof just wat my dad has always done)
Choppa is offline  
Old 11-10-2009, 04:49 PM
  #10  
Monkeyleg
2nd Gear Member
 
Monkeyleg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: WI
Posts: 172
Default

if ur not gonna jack it atleast park it on sum carpets that way the concrete isnt touching the rubber and sucking the moisture out of the tires (no scientific proof just wat my dad has always done)
Moisture from the concrete can be a rust problem, although I don't know it being a problem for tires. Could be.

I was taught to put a layer of plastic sheeting on the floor, then a layer of plywood, then another layer of plastic, all as a vapor barrier.
Monkeyleg is offline  


Quick Reply: Winter Storage Question



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:09 AM.