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Long Time Car Storage Tips

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Comments

  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Well if the shop has kept up with new models he won't have a problem. You could always ask their advice about longterm storage, too. I think they'd tell you pretty much what we did. If you were planning on dead storage for one year or more, I'd have a different story for you.
  • capriracercapriracer Member Posts: 907
    "...... I don't think modern tires are prone to flat-spotting anymore, especially in a heated garage......"

    All tires flat spot. It's just a matter of load, inflation pressure and time.

    Overinflating the tires helps flat spotting, but that drives more oxygen through the internal structure of the tire and ages it faster. If the plan is to reuse the tires, it would be best to get them off the ground.
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    A modern radial "might" flat spot, you are right, but this should quickly go away after a short term of driving. They spring back to shape whereas the older tires didn't.

    Essentially, my personal experience has been that this isn't an issue unless we were talking about long term storage with tires going cold and flat for years.
  • capriracercapriracer Member Posts: 907
    ".....They spring back to shape whereas the older tires didn't....."

    Sorry, but this is a matter of degree. While modern tires are less prone to flat spotting, they still will - and the amount will depend on the storage conditions. We can actually generate flatspots in the lab and watch as they disappear while running, but they do not disappear completely.
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Interesting. I've never come across this condition but I'll be sure to pay closer attention next time I deal with a stored car (I do appraisals, so I do see cars going in and coming out of storage).

    I'm reluctant to suggest to people that they raise a car off the wheels for short term storage because modern cars can be damaged this way. There are good ways to lift a car for long, *long* term storage but this requires strategic support of various suspension points without actually lifting the tires off the ground completely.... a rather complicated process and I don't think necessary in this gentleman's case.
  • capriracercapriracer Member Posts: 907
    I disagree. I think in this case (Porsche for 6 months), there are 2 reasons why he should get the weight off the tires:

    1) Tires with high speed ratings have nylon overlays (sometimes multiple layers) and of all the materials ever used in tires, nylon is the most prone to flat spotting.

    2) 6 months is on the other side of what I consider to be "short term". I think "short term" means 3 months or less. Just for reference, I've seen S and T rated tires (no nylon overlays) flat spot in 3 months under certain conditions.

    Given how expensive tires for Porsche's can be, I think he would be much further ahead taking the time to do it right.
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    All opinions are welcome and valuable. All I'm saying is I've never seen this as a problem for short term storage. Besides, if he lifts it, then he probably won't start it or drive it, and I think starting and driving are more important to the overall health of the car.

    This might be an interesting compromise solution:
    FLAT SPOT STIOPPERS
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    I got kinda concerned about this question of flat spotting so I contacted Hi-Tec Automotive, who are well-known Porsche specialists (repair, restoration, race prep, customization) in no. California, and this is what they wrote back to me...

    "Only six months is not an issue; six years is another story. The tires still may flat spot some, but they will regain their original shape once the car is driven and the tires are heated up. Raising the psi for storage will help."

    They also suggested, if the car will undergo *repeated* spells of long term storage, the same basic Flat Spotters than I posted earlier.

    Hope this helps.
  • jpfjpf Member Posts: 496
    My wife and I have a home in the south and plan to keep a vehicle there throughout the year. The vehicle is a 4 cylinder 2006 Dodge Caravan with 75k miles. The van will sit for 3 to 5 months at a time without being used and will be stored in a carport. Does the battery need to be disconnected? Should I add fuel stabilizer to the gas? Any recommendations are most appreciated.
  • kiawahkiawah Member Posts: 3,666
    If it was mine, I'd through some fuel stabilizer in it, and hook up a trickle charger to it. That's what I do with my Harley during the winter months, never a problem.
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