vehicle storage

[sirjond]

Hey All,

I am about to put my vehicle into storage for the winter and was wondering if there is anything special I need to do? This is my first Defender so I am looking for all the help I can get.

Also what do I need to do when it comes out in the spring?

I have searched the forum and found a few things but mostly for owners who have stored their vehicle for long periods of time (1-2 years). Mine will only be stored for the winter months (in a garage of course).

Thanks,
Jon

[GaryBaxter]

I store one of my vehicles every winter and here's what I do:

1. fill the gas tank and use some gas stabilizer like Stabil
2. put out some mouse traps as they can do a bit of damage
3. remove the battery and hook it up to a battery tender

[evilfij]

In addition to the above, change the oil in the engine if it is not fresh and run it for 5-10 minutes after the change. Pull the fuel pump fuse and run it until it dies to get the gas out of the lines.

[xrover]

I would also:
- use an oil treatment in the engine like Lucas oil treatment (not related to our electronics)
- I used to put my Series up on axle stands to keep the tires off the ground
- don't put the mouse traps inside the truck. But put a cardboard box on the floor somewhere. Any mice will use that first.
- if you only do one thing, fill the tank and put in fuel stabilizer and then run the engine for a fuel minutes so that the stabilizer gets into the lines
- I then WD40 everything - probably not much value in that but I always felt it put a protective cover on everything.

[sirjond]

thanks for the responses. I really appreciate it.

I guess I know what I am doing this weekend.

[LRNAD90]

2. put out some mouse traps as they can do a bit of damage


Anyone have a good suggestion on what to bate the traps with, that isn't going to draw other unwanted visitors (ants, etc)? My neighbor found some mouse droppings in his garage, and now I'm getting concerned..

[xrover]

Are you going to be accessible to the truck? If you make sure you vacumm your truck out so there are no food crumbs, removed all paper materials and boxes, and remove any lose fluids, put the truck up on axle stands and then, and this is the most important part, put a large cardboard box on the floor, you will not have mice in your truck. They are looking for a place to shelter that gives them darkness and bedding material. You offer that in the box they will not even think of looking in your truck. I deal with this every year at my cottage where I store my Series III and I have a crappy shed that they love to us. We get no mice in the cottage or the truck.
You start using traps, you'll attract more than mice, and you start using warafin, and then they will hunt down the area looking for fluids to drink. And your truck will then be a good place to look.