Porsche Winter Storage Tips
The cold weather is coming, and cold weather brings with it snow, and road salt, and slippery surfaces, and potholes. Meaning that - like many sports car owners, you’ll be looking to store your Porsche for the winter. While storing your car through the winter is a great way to protect your investment, certain steps must be taken to ensure that you don’t accidentally cause damage to your vehicle by using improper storage techniques. So we’ll list some best winter storage practices here, but if you still have questions - please don’t hesitate to contact us here at Porsche Orland Park. We’re happy to help – we want you to enjoy your Porsche for years to come.
Where Do I Store My Porsche?
It’s likely obvious to you that the best way to protect a car from the elements is to store it indoors. However, some indoor spaces are better than others. You’ll want to park your Porsche where it’s dry, and the temperature isn’t too hot or too cold. A concrete floor is a good choice. If your garage floor isn’t dry enough, you can use a tarp or plastic sheeting as a moisture barrier. You’ll also want to make sure that your Porsche is stored out of the way of heavy foot traffic to prevent accidental damage.. It’s also a good idea to maintain your comprehensive insurance on your Porsche, just in case the worst happens and there is a fire, unexpected damage,or theft.
How Do I Prepare My Porsche For Storage?
The first step to storing your Porsche for the season is topping up all of your fluids, including gasoline. Check your oil as well, and change it if it’s dirty or near the mileage limit. (Although some owners prefer to change the oil in the springtime, and either is a fine alternative.) Add a fuel stabilizer such as STA-BIL or Star Tron to the gas tank to prevent the gasoline from breaking down during storage. The instructions on the bottle will tell you how much to add.
Let the engine in your Porsche run for a few minutes to circulate the fuel stabilizer. Inflate your ties to the maximum pressure listed in the door jamb to prevent flat spots during storage. Lastly, thoroughly clean – and dry – your Porsche. We recommend the use of a custom fit car cover that protects the paint from dust while remaining breathable for the ultimate in protection.
Should I Start My Porsche Periodically?
Once you’ve taken the steps to prepare your Porsche for storage, you shouldn’t start it again until you’re ready to start driving it again regularly. The reason for this is moisture. Moisture will build up inside your engine, exhaust, and fuel system when you run the car, and you don’t want that hanging around for months. The condensation will eventually result in internal corrosion. If you choose to take your Porsche out on an uncharacteristically nice, warm day over the winter, keep in mind that you’ll have to prepare it for storage all over again when the day is done.
What About My Battery?
Many electrical systems continue to run “in the background” when your Porsche is turned off, which slowly discharges the battery. During long periods of storage, it’s smart to use a battery trickle charger to keep the battery fully charged during its winter hibernation. We recommend the Porsche Charge-o-mat Pro Battery Maintainer which monitors the battery charge and keeps the battery charge maintained throughout the winter. Additionally, it’s easy to use,as you simply plug it into the wall and the 12 volt socket in the center console, and doesn’t require you to access the vehicle battery at all.
How Can I Protect My Porsche During Winter Storage?
As we mentioned previously, your Porsche is still susceptible to damage while you wait for warm, sunny weather. It’s a good idea to crack your windows an inch or so to prevent moisture from building up in the interior. Store your Porsche out of the way so that you don’t accidentally hit it with the snowblower or boxes of holiday decorations, and use a car cover to keep dust at bay. Place dryer sheets throughout the vehicle to deter rodents – they hate the smell. Dryer sheets work better than mothballs – and they smell better, too. We like to ball up a few of them and stuff them in the exhaust pipes as well. It’s a good idea to write down all of the places you’ve left your dryer sheets so that you don’t forget to remove them in the spring.
Following these helpful tips will make safe storage a snap. Protecting your car from salt and moisture will make it possible to enjoy your Porsche for decades. Of course, when the time eventually comes to buy another Porsche, we hope you’ll visit us here at Porsche Orland Park.
Follow these suggestions at your own risk. Porsche Orland Park accepts no responsibility for any damage you may cause to your vehicle, home, or property by following these instructions.