Winter storage: TireCradles or Flatstoppers or ? for Tires??

To prevent tire flat spots during winter storage:
- Which do you recommend and why?
- Or are they not worth it?

Currently the vehicle (2003 Ferrari 360 Spider) is in a non-heated garage with a concrete slab and the car will be driven at least once during the winter months near Washington DC. I also inflated the tires 7 pounds over the recommended pressures.

Thank you very much in advance.

 

I would increase pressure by 10 lbs and f you can just move the car 1 foot during storage

 

I put my car up on four 12-inch squares of 10x6..perfect..The cold damp concrete is what saps the air pressure. You will be astounded at how well this works. Also, I bevel them for a much easier drive-up. Jq.

 

They are not necessary. Just inflate your tires within 2-3 PSI of the max they can take (it says on the sidewalls). Then stick a note on the steering wheel about the increased pressures- so you don't forget before to restore them before you drive it.

 

I lived in Alexandria/Falls Church/McLean. Winter is not that bad or that long. I would do not winter prep. A couple months not driving isn't going to hurt anything. DOT tires go 40,000miles over all kinds of roads under conditions way more harsh than sitting in a garage for a few months.

 

Agree with adding 10 psi to tires to help reduce flat spotting. Since we are talking winter storage, make sure you have a plan against rodents. Mice love covered vehicles and they can get through the smallest openings in your garage. A couple of years ago, I had a nest in the engine bay of my air-cooled 993. Glad it was not on top of the cylinder fins behind the fan - that would have been an instant overheat condition on first start-up.

 

I am about half an hour from you and I don't plan on doing anything different. I will drive it right up until it snows then again as soon as the roads are clear. Thinking worst case scenario is it will sit for maybe 2 months.

 

Completely unnecessary. Protect from mice, don't worry about tires, they'll be just fine.

 

Ok...will put more pressure in the tires and drive it a bit more during the winter.

So now...how do I protect against mice??!!

 

Rodents can be tricky devils to keep out. Traps and repellents are both useful. I've used this product with some success. It has a good, herbal smell. Better than the mothballs, dryer sheets that others recommend. A bit of pre-planning can help. If you store dog food in the garage, be sure it's in a metal container with a tight fitting lid. I recently had a client complain that his F430 had smoke pouring out the exhaust. When he stopped by it was instantly apparent (by the smell ) that he had dog food inside the muffler. There were also droppings on top of his engine. He told me it had only been 2 weeks since he drove the car. I won't be surprised to find evidence of chewing at his next service.
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I buy this for both of my cars in storage, cut 4 pieces for each car and drive the car on them.
In the spring the tires stay round since they sink easily into the foam.
Been doing it for years. No affiliation to HD

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I do this and use the Flat Stoppers going on six years now. May not be necessary but its part of the routine now. Gives me a chance to check over the car one last time as it goes into storage. This Fall it received a full correction/PPF/ceramic coat and went straight to the garage. This Spring is going to be like getting a new car again. Something to look forward to.

 

Thats the thing- you find what works for you. I have many Tire Cradles here which I just dont bother with anymore.

A note about car covers- unless you have really cleaned the car off, I am not a fan, they just end up rubbing dust on the clear coat.

 

I pump up tires to 50 psi, and every 4-6 weeks roll the car to a slightly different position. Youll be mazed how after sitting for 4 weeks even at 50 psi the tires have taken a set.

 

Nothing works better than Mint spray, now is available at Home Depot, you may spray corner of your garage or under the hood,

 

Can we talk more about the mice, eek… this happened to another car mine once, I was not happy in the least where might they end up in my 430?