Car storage and what about Fairbanks?

September 19, 2005 4:18 PM

How do I prepare my car for storage over the winter? And, what to do in Fairbanks, AK over the winter?

I am moving to Fairbanks, Alaska for six months. While I'm gone, I will store my 1999 Honda Civic auto transmission in a unheated garage. I live in Minnesota and my car will not be driven at all. Someone told me that I only had to unhook the battery. Is that true? What else to I do to my car to ensure thast it will run when I return in the spring?

This will be my first time in Alaska. I've been told to purchase all cold weather clothing before arriving as there are no "good stores" in Fairbanks. Everyone tells me that the skiing is great, but I don't ski. I'm open to all info about my new temporary home: food, restaurants, shops, internet cafes, tours, best cell phone provider, what to bring, etc.

posted by Juicylicious to grab bag (10 comments total)

After 9 months in California, my car had flat tires and a drained battery. For just 6 months, I wouldn't bother doing anything at all. Maybe an oil change when you get back?
posted by ryanrs at 5:10 PM on September 19, 2005

You say you don't ski, but I say now's the time learn. It's Alaska after all!
posted by thebabelfish at 5:14 PM on September 19, 2005

Change the oil before you go, fill 'er up with gas and put a bottle of gas stabilizer in the tank. Maybe replace the antifreeze, too.
posted by spacewrench at 5:25 PM on September 19, 2005

Take out the battery, or at least unclamp it. Put it on a trickle charge if possible. Also you probably want to run the car for a little while to let the fuel stabalizer get into the injection system and such.
posted by geoff. at 5:58 PM on September 19, 2005

Let's back up. Don't charge your battery OR remove it. Don't put gas in your tank.

1. DO disconnect the battery. It may need a light/short charge when you get back, but it won't be completely dead and worthless.

2. Do Not add gas before you leave. 6 months is not long enough for your gas to go bad. However, you will want to burn brand new gas when you return to make up for what little decomposition (in the gas) that did occur.

3. Tires will crack along the sidewalls when sitting for a long period. If you want to make these last longer, drive the car up onto some peices of 2x6. That simply insulates them from the cold and damp floor, and makes a big difference, especially in Minnesota.

As far as your car, I think you're set! Have fun and good luck!
posted by snsranch at 8:07 PM on September 19, 2005

Fairbanks gets cold and cold to the point of having the oil freeze in your car so do not "top off" any liquids whose expansion may cause you problems.

Depending on car model and off chance emergency use you might want to consider getting a block warmer in case you want to thaw out your engine or keep it from becoming a rock.

Fairbanks has land traffic access unlike Juneau so there is off chance to travel though winter maybe a bit rough. Besides skiing there is dog sledding, events at the University of Alaska campus and simply being social. Alaska allows for great social activities (people are real friendly) but winter does give some folks an opportunity to hibernate and be slightly grumpy- it is a great time to read, watch movies and see the lights.

A North Dakotan could probably give you even better tips on taking care of your vehicle during extreme cold so if you know one ask.

Hope this helps.
posted by jadepearl at 8:45 PM on September 19, 2005

jadepearl-- Maybe a re-read of the question is in order for you.
posted by Kwantsar at 9:38 PM on September 19, 2005

Six month shouldn't hurt your car or battery. I will say just park it and leave it alone... Maybe cover the car with car cover or some sort of a sheet. (just make sure covered car doesn't get wind-draft... It may rub your cover/sheet against your car)

However, If you really want to be extra careful and love your car a lot, try following.

Use up as much fuel as possible before park... But do not empty it completely.

You wouldn't need new oil change until you start driving again.

OPTIONAL: Jack up your car with your normal Jack and put some brick or 2x4 s under your car (all four sides) But do not completely lift up your car. Lift the car up about 50/50 so that your suspension only comes down about half way from completely down.

This will keep pressure off from your tire, spring, etc..etc...

Unhook the battery.. Don't need to take it off...

Probably the most importing thing above all is to keeping your interior nice and cozy... Put some Arm&Hammer Baking Soda box with lid open... One medium size will do...

This should take care of any moisture build up or bad smell that may build up during the winter. (Clean up your interior before you park off....)

Covering the interior with a sheet will be also nice...(just to keep it off from dust build up)

-----------------------------------------

NOw the besting for your car during those six month?
don't do any of the things I said (except maybe for the cover sheets and baking soda)

And just drive the car one or two blocks once a month....
If you do this with your modern Civic, you won't have any problem at alll..

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posted by curiousleo at 11:16 PM on September 19, 2005

I'm also in Minnesota, and this is a big issue for storing motorcycles.

Dan's MCs has a full winterizing checklist, although his site is extraordinarily annoying with the effects. Do make sure you check out his political spewing too, for shear hilarity.

In any case, it was claimed above that gas will not go bad in 6 months. Sure, the gas will still ignite fine 6 months later, the problem you get is carbon clogging up your fuel system--in your case, the injectors. Fill up and stabilize. This will also prevent water from condensing on all those metal parts and rusting. Old Dan recommends that you not use gas with EtOH... I otherwise haven't heard that. Run the engine a bit before leaving it.

Oil: drain it, change the filter, flush, refill. A 14mm wrench and a bucket is basically all you need (of course, your car might not have that size plug bolt).

REMOVE YOUR BATTERY. If you leave your battery out in Minnesota for the winter, it won't work well at all when spring comes around. You can buy automatic trickle chargers that will keep the charge up, but it does need to stay around room temp. In any case, a battery is $80 tops. A good charger might cost you a third of that, plus whatever pain it is to leave it somewhere heated.

Wash your car, especially if you leave after the first plow. I don't know of a good way to do this in winter without getting ice all over your car, though. Wait for a warm day...?

Get a cover if possible, again, to keep water out. If you have any small scratches in the paint, you might want to get them patched so that you don't have a big rust spot.

If you have a friend staying around, consider asking them to take your car out for a good 20 or 30 mile drive every once in a while. A '99 Civic is a great car to keep. Fuel efficient, reliable, and pretty fun to drive. My advice is to take the best care of it that you can.

If you're near the Twin Cities area, Bob's Cycle Supply should have all the winterizing fluids and trickle chargers you could need, plus a lot of knowledgeable people. They're a big shop, kinda corporate shop, but I've found their prices and service to be great. It's a motorsports shop, but pretty much everything that works on motorcycles will work for a car.

As far as winter clothing goes, I'm from the south originally, so I get cold easily. I sport a bigass L.L. Bean parka (sorry, no link) on the cold days here (-20F or worse), and I feel like I'm walking around inside a well heated room (except for my hands, because I'm too cheap to buy good ones and I smoke). I'd remove the hood, as it has rabbit fur and smells like wet rabbit every time snow gets on it. I'm not sure how cold it gets in Fairbanks in the winter, but it might be good for the "warmer" days.

Hope this helps, and have fun in Alaska!
posted by dsword at 11:55 PM on September 19, 2005

Kwanstar, I thought his question was two parts: what to do with his vehicle and what to do in Fairbanks. Would you like to apprise me of my misinterpretation? I tried to recall what I did in Fairbanks and may have become distracted in my answer in the process of posting.
posted by jadepearl at 10:01 PM on September 26, 2005