430 Winter Storage - Coaching Needed 1st Year | FerrariChat

430 Winter Storage - Coaching Needed 1st Year

Discussion in '360/430' started by F430-SCA, Jan 5, 2008.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. F430-SCA

    F430-SCA Rookie

    Aug 4, 2007
    13
    Massachusetts
    Any suggestions on a good setup to store my F430 Spider (here in Boston). I have a heated garage and wonder if there are benefits to jacking up the car to get the wheels off the ground. Over the years I've stored my cheaper toys (Mini Cooper S convertible and Z3) without issue, but again my new toy likely needs special treatment. Thanks.
     
  2. E60 M5

    E60 M5 Moderator
    Moderator Owner

    Jan 2, 2006
    8,156
    Wash DC area
    Full Name:
    Robert
    Welcome to the community and congrats on the car! Do a quick search, this topic was just covered with some really helpful insight into the different things needed. Some quickies, full tank of gas as to prevent moisture in the tank and lines. Park the car in first and leave off the hand brake. Tires should be ok for a couple of months without issues, you could over inflate. Make sure to hook the battery up to a tender. Do a search, there is more.

    Heated garage, nice!

    Robert
     
  3. F430-SCA

    F430-SCA Rookie

    Aug 4, 2007
    13
    Massachusetts
    Thanks for the fast response.
    I've got the tender, full tank, car cover, etc. all set.
    Hadn't thought of over inflation before and I'll search for more.
    All the best.
     
  4. marksp

    marksp Formula Junior

    Jul 10, 2006
    737
    Redmond, WA
    probably obvious, but a good fresh coat of wax to protect the finish from regular on and off of the cover. Don't be surprised at how frequently you'll need to get a peek to get you through the winter ;)
     
  5. MordaloMVD

    MordaloMVD F1 Rookie

    Sep 7, 2005
    4,222
    WA
    Full Name:
    Michael von Ditter
    A product called "stable" for the fuel wouldn't hurt. Mine don't sit all winter so I really can't help beyond that. Next track day is the 12th of Jan. and it will probably be raining. Yes, they don’t melt or run paint. :)
     
  6. dan360

    dan360 F1 Rookie

    Feb 18, 2003
    2,669
    Boston
    It does depend on whether you intend to use the car at all over the period. Living in MA also, I store my cars in a garage but I concentrate on keeping them going rather than storing. ie I try to drive them at least once a month even in the winter period. I look for dry days, or my favorite a dry day following a rainy day to wash the road salt away.

    I took the dino out yesterday for about 100 miles for instance. If you take this approach, then simply car cover, battery tender, keep it clean is all you need. If you intend no use at all for the winter, then by all means fuel stabilizer, inflate tires more etc, all that stuff, but to me that's just accepting we can't use the car at all for almost 4 months. You should try driving your spider on a clear blue 28F ("warm") day with the roof down and your ski-gear on - its incredibly invigorating!
     
  7. BCS

    BCS Karting

    Aug 28, 2007
    176
    NJ/NY
    Full Name:
    Bill
    agreed.... as long as there is no snow on the ground..... take the car out and drive it. I cant imagine putting my car "AWAY" for the entire winter. There are just too many nice days throughout the winter to do that.... This week here in NY its going to reach near 60 degrees!!!!
     
  8. MARIOF430

    MARIOF430 Karting

    May 8, 2007
    172
    Portland ,Or.
    Full Name:
    Michael
    You guys are so lucky we over here in the Pacific N.W. are cold.. WET.. and on top of that I'm lazy and my car has never seen the rain! I get to drive on averge once a month in the winter! It kills me to look in my garage and see my trusty steed waiting for spring but the car is amazingly clean and spotless all the time! and on those days it's clear it's just like the first time all over again!!! You all know what I mean. Glad you get alot of those cold clear days.. ENJOY!
     
  9. Dohhunter

    Dohhunter Karting

    Nov 1, 2005
    199
    Full Name:
    Michael
    I don't have an Fcar, but they would be no different from any others.

    When I store my cars for +/- 6 months up here in Ontario I do the following:

    1) Change oil/filter prior to storage
    2) Fill it up with gas
    3) Put the recommended amount of Stabil (fuel stabilizer) in the tank
    4) Take the car for a spirited drive to operating temperature (10 min or so) after #1/2. This gets the new oil worked in, burns off any moisture in it and works the Stabil through the fuel lines.
    5) Park it with either the tires on carpet, or on those rubber "no-flat spot" things. Make sure they are at recommended air pressure.
    6) If the car is parked in a non-climate controlled garage, cover the ground underneath it with old pieces of carpet/tile/cardboard etc. This prevents moisture from wicking up during temperature swings...especially important if the floor is bare concrete.
    7) Fresh coat of wax (wash first if necessary)
    8) Dress tires, clean rims, clean/condition leather interior
    9) Crack your windows a hair. This allows the weather stripping to maintain its shape
    10) Dress all rubber weather stripping with your favourite conditioner.
    11) Put on a battery tender (not just a simple trickle charger, but an actual automotive tender that maintains float charge etc. Google "battery tender")
    12) Put your car cover on

    Leave the car until you start it for the first time in spring. Some may argue to periodically start the car throughout the winter, but the car (transmission, engine, exhaust etc) does not get to optimal temperature and you'll just end up with condensation throughout...and you all know what moisture contributes too.

    That's what I do, I have zero problems :)
     
  10. ringmeister

    ringmeister Formula Junior

    Jan 17, 2005
    538
    NJ
    http://www.tirecradle.com/
     
  11. racerdj

    racerdj F1 Veteran
    Owner

    Jan 19, 2003
    6,952
    Indianapolis
    Full Name:
    DJS
    Welcome F430-SCA....Great info on this thread. My simple procedure is using the OEM battery tender between drives, car cover and trying to drive every 10 days or so.
     
  12. FJerry

    FJerry Formula Junior

    Dec 1, 2004
    933
    United States
    everyones got you covered- listen to the Ringmeister- he knows. The tire cradles work great. Also would add that you should leave it in gear w/o the parking brake engaged- so long as its on a mostly flat surface. Also this applies to metal brakes- Im not sure on the CCM brakes if long term parking brake application is a no no. Oh, I see Robert nailed that on the first post. Well done Robert!
     
  13. mousecatcher

    mousecatcher Formula 3

    Dec 18, 2007
    2,116
    san mateo, ca
    :D
     
  14. mousecatcher

    mousecatcher Formula 3

    Dec 18, 2007
    2,116
    san mateo, ca
    the name of that product is "Stabil". i think there are other equivalent products as well.
     
  15. rslpartners

    rslpartners Karting
    BANNED

    Jun 22, 2006
    59
    S.F. Bay Area
    What does disengaging the parking brake do?
    Thanks
     
  16. Steve711

    Steve711 Karting

    Oct 9, 2007
    114
    are tire flat spots from storage perminent? Or can you work them out when you drive again?
     
  17. Dohhunter

    Dohhunter Karting

    Nov 1, 2005
    199
    Full Name:
    Michael
    Flat spots are an urban legend. As long as your car still isn't sitting on old ply tires (i.e. pre 1990...which it shouldn't be anyhow) "new" tires will only temporary flat spot...which should work themselves out quickly. Might be a tad bumpy, however :)

    As long as you keep the tires stored on a medium (carpet, tire cradle etc) and keep them properly inflated, you won't have a problem
     
  18. Dohhunter

    Dohhunter Karting

    Nov 1, 2005
    199
    Full Name:
    Michael
    While not so much a concern in a climate controlled facility, disengaging the parking brake will prevent it from seizing up....slim chances, but I've seen it happen.

    I usually leave the parking brake disengaged and leave the car in gear.
     
  19. Drive550PFB

    Drive550PFB Two Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    My suggestion is simple.

    Drive the freaking car at least once a week! About 20 miles doing some running around on the weekend should keep it in good order.
     
  20. Dohhunter

    Dohhunter Karting

    Nov 1, 2005
    199
    Full Name:
    Michael
    There is nothing wrong with that my friend :)

    However, when you have half an inch of sand/salt on the road and you're looking at snow on and off for 5 months up here....storing the car looks realllllllly good right about now ;)

    Saves a bit on insurance as well.
     
  21. Drive550PFB

    Drive550PFB Two Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    I live in a place where there is no snow--sorry for the brain fart on that one. It was a knee-jerk post, sorry.

    I just have this "need" to see people drive their cars, instead of putting them in a museum--but I AM all for keeping them in great shape.

    How about this . . . bring the car south and come visit it once a month?
     
  22. 900ssDuke

    900ssDuke Karting

    Sep 12, 2007
    214
    UK
    I would also put a comfortable chair approximately 10 feet in front of your car with a beer cooler next to it and a foot stool. Its not a bad view to while away some winter nights.
     
  23. Artherd

    Artherd F1 Veteran

    Jun 19, 2002
    6,588
    Bay Area, CA
    Full Name:
    Ben Cannon
    You don't need Stabil unless you don't intend to run it for more than 4 months.
    You don't need a car cover indoors.
    You don't need to over inflate the tires.
    You don't need to leave it in first unless your garage floor slopes and the car will roll.
    You don't need to leave the handbrake off in a heated indoor garage...it's not going to seize up.

    All of the precautions above are for old cars. Except the battery tender. That you do need.

    You have a modern car in a heated indoor garage. Park it, hook up the battery, and you are done.
     
  24. Derek Trotter

    Derek Trotter Formula 3
    BANNED

    Jul 28, 2007
    1,790
    Cambridge, UK
    All of the aforementioned plus put a couple of mouse traps down loaded with peanut butter. Place them alongside a wall and these will stop the bas*ards getting into the nice nooks and crannies within your car. I regularly trap 2-3 per week in the winter season.
     
  25. F430-SCA

    F430-SCA Rookie

    Aug 4, 2007
    13
    Massachusetts
    I travel a lot and am just catching back up to the advice you've provided to my original request.

    I believe that I've got the storage checklist completed now.

    Next thing to do now is to make it out to somewhere warm to drive something fun for a couple of days, Laguna ?
    Thanks again (Go Pats...).
     

Share This Page