Cold Weather Storage for 308

That's pretty cold for sure. 50/50 anti-freeze/water mix should be good down to that temp I would think, perhaps up the anti-freeze ratio to 75/25 maybe. You could drain the system (there's a block drain plug) if you want but I'd run some anti-freeze into the system before doing that just to make sure any remaining liquid in cooling passages is predominantly anti-freeze rather than h2o.

Moisture in general can be as big a problem as temperature - if there's a way to keep moisture out of the environment the car is in then that's adisable. Maybe a storage "bag" or localized air dryers could be helpful in this regard.

I'd take the battery out of the car too - I've had more than one battery refuse to come back to life after cold storage, even with some periodic/trickle charging.

Hope that helps!

 

Ask this in the Canadian section. Trust me, we have experiance with this.

 

Greetings from the frozen north. We live on the south shore of Lake superior and I regularly run our 308 (in the barn) with no problems. The biggest problem is that we only have three good months of driving. The real problem is condensation from the temp differential. It is not unusual to drop 40F in a matter of minutes. I store the 3X8 in the paint booth and keep the temp at 40-50F. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention mice--------------- they are a problem and I use every method known to man and so far I have kept them at bay!
We hope you like cheese!! Yuk Yuk Tom

 

I lived in AK for 8 years and put cars up for the winter every year. Normal 50/50 antifreeze mix is fine. I removed the battery and pumped the tire pressure to 50 PSI and that was it. Didn't bother with fuel stabilizer but that was some years ago, before the crappy gas we have now so it would be a good idea.

 

Not as drastic cold temps here, but lots of temperature swings, often times going from below freezing to above, resulting in condensation on cars. The best method I have found to prevent condensation in an unheated garage is to buy a cheap large box fan (the 2'x2' kind) and put one on the ground at the engine end of every car and set it to blow on high. Arrange the cars/fans in the garage in a way that you create a smooth, constant flow of air throughout the garage, rather than having streams of air fighting each other. Run the fans for days/weeks at a time whenever the temperature isn't mostly stable or going to go above freezing. If you do it well, your brake rotors will still be shiny in spring.

And put paper bags of silica gel in your interiors and engine/trunk compartments.

 

Toss drier sheets like bounce everywhere around the car. Also inside and around the engine area. Exhaust pipes too. Mice hate them and stay away. My car has been in Wisconsin for 12 years and not had any problems. Keep air moving if it isn't stored in a heated garage. Fill fuel tank. I either use a battery tender or remove the battery. Antifreeze for sure and clean oil in engine. Mine sleeps for at least 5 months.

 

If you do move to WI, PM me and maybe we can get together. In the summer, hopefully. Too cold in the winter to go out. LOL I'm always up for a drive on nice days.

 

Put the car in a heated garage. Its very well worth it, everything else fails in comparison.

 

Put a plastic sheet under the car, it helps.

 

Sounds like there are at least three of us in close proximity. We are in Ontonagon, MI. If anyone wants to get together for a spring tune up run PM me and we'll talk! Where in NE Wisconsin? Greenbay is a great run from here taking 45 so. to 29 east. Rt 29 can be run quickly!
Tom

 

Stored a 308 in an enclosed trailer and it reached those temps. All was fine. Agree, just make sure your anti-freeze is up to snuff and if storing for a long period use StaBil in the gas of course. In fact i have driven a 308 at -7F or thereabouts (Blizzak tires) and it simply takes a bit more time for her to warm up, the heater in a 308 is truly excellent btw. Why store it, drive it. Iced lake driving is truly one of the best things ever in the 308, a great car control clinic!

 

Read all the passages, and +1 to all. I am a North California guy, so no snow
Lots of rain, and as a matter of fact tons coming in the next few days.

I have done something unusual that not many have known...Silica Gel Packs.

I certainly remove the battery, release the parking brake, mount my GT4
on rubber mats ( I have minor water intrusion in the garage) and place small
and large gel packs in forward compartment, quite a few in the cockpit, a large amount
in the engine compartment, and a minor few in the trunk.

Not testing your intelligence, but silica gel packs absorb moisture, prevent mold,
and simply provide a comfort level of moisture absorbant chemical material.

Never place these packs raw on plastic, or interior carpet. I place them on
towels, seal the car and she rests for three months.

I have done this simple technique for all the rare cars I have owned, and NEVER,
EVER had a interior corrision, mold, or other problem during deep storage.

My 2cts.

Enjoy, and wait for spring when we unleash our Italian girls.
Cheers,
Dwight

 

I'm a hour south of GreenBay. Used to go there all the time when my daughter was little. Probably see you this summer. Stay warm till then.

 

Marty - it's 33 today and due to be even warmer for the next week. My car is up on the lift waiting for the rebuilt steering rack to arrive, you have no excuse

 

Kurt,
I am out and about in the nice weather. Too much salt on the roads for the Ferrari though. It is sleeping with the battery out till spring.