[speedyink1]

Hey everyone, just some questions about storage. Wanna make sure I'm doing things as right as I can.

So first, battery tender. I know that I need one that supports the AGM battery, so was thinking something like this?

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07W6B987F?ref=emc_p_m_5_i_atc

If there's a different one you prefer, please let me know.
Also, I'm assuming I connect it to the connection under the hood, not to the actual battery in the trunk, correct?

For this initial winter, I have a dry, undercover spot to park it, but it is not heated yet. I've been started the car every 2 weeks just to clear up any possible potential moisture in the engine, just from temperature changes. Is this wise, or is it better to do less, or more often?

If you have any other tips, shoot. I'm all ears.

[NYTMARE23]

Well, everyone's situation is different but I'll tell you what I do but I have a heated garage:
Clean/detail car
Fill gas tank, then put Sta-bil in(run engine for about 5-10 min to get Sta-bil in fuel lines/system)
Put tire pressure up to 35-38 ish
I bought Race Ramps Flatstoppers cradles for the car/tires to sit on(they conform to shape of tires so not to get flat-spots)...this may be overkill, but I'd rather be safe than sorry.
Put steel wool in exhaust tips(for possible mice)..DON'T forget to remove them prior to starting!
I use the "Camaro" battery tender from GM parts website. I also hook directly to the battery...but that's just me...
Put dryer sheets in the trunk, engine bay(don't forget to remove before starting), and driver and passenger floor.
Put car cover on and kiss it goodnight and tell it you'll see it in the spring!

P.S. NOT SURE how accurate this is...but I was TOLD not to start it a bunch of times over the winter due to condensation building up in the exhaust system EVENTUALLY rusting it out.

I did all the above mentioned stuff last winter(was my first time winterizing/storing it then from October of '22 to May of '23) and had ZERO issues starting it up in May.

Good luck!

[speedyink1]

Thanks!

What do the dryer sheets do? Is that for mice?

Yeah, Next years project is insulating everything so a heater will actually do something. If I had the heat I'd feel better about not starting it for longer periods

[SS_Don]

This is my second year using the Noco Genius 5 https://www.amazon.ca/NOCO-GENIUS5-F...ve%2C81&sr=1-2
I'm very happy with it.

[CalgaryZL1]

Originally Posted by speedyink1

Hey everyone, just some questions about storage. Wanna make sure I'm doing things as right as I can.

So first, battery tender. I know that I need one that supports the AGM battery, so was thinking something like this?

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07W6B987F?ref=emc_p_m_5_i_atc

If there's a different one you prefer, please let me know.
Also, I'm assuming I connect it to the connection under the hood, not to the actual battery in the trunk, correct?

For this initial winter, I have a dry, undercover spot to park it, but it is not heated yet. I've been started the car every 2 weeks just to clear up any possible potential moisture in the engine, just from temperature changes. Is this wise, or is it better to do less, or more often?

If you have any other tips, shoot. I'm all ears.

That is the battery tender I have been using for the last three years and had no issues with it hooked up directly in the trunk. I also put my air pressure up to 40 psi during storage. I don’t recommend starting the car every few weeks, the heat and cold cycle will most likely produce more condensation in the engine and exhaust, I just leave mine alone until I am ready to start driving it.

[Rock-It Man]

There are many threads on this subject where you can find details.

But I want to say one thing here: do NOT start the car during storage!!! The exhaust system and oil will never get warm enough to evaporate condensed water. On the contrary, you will be adding water every time.

[Hack]

I think you have to decide what you prefer. I use a battery tender on stored vehicles. I also use fresh cab to keep mice away.
https://www.amazon.com/Fresh-Cab-Bot...s%2C111&sr=8-5
I do not wash prior to storage or use a cover, because I think mice love to go into dark, covered spaces. I remember my home AC guy telling me not to cover my outside AC unit, because most of their customer calls are from people who cover the unit and then mice go in and chew up the wires, etc. I think it's better to have air circulation around the car rather than having a chance of condensation building up on it and being trapped under a cover.

Some people do things to avoid flat spots on the tires. I have found that a little driving in the spring and the flat spots go away, so I don't mess with that either.

Definitely don't start the car. I agree if the car doesn't get hot from driving it's best to just let it sit. I don't change the oil immediately before storage. I usually drive a little in the spring and then change it. It's probably better to do it before storage. I just don't do it that way.

Hope this helps - more stuff to consider.

[ember1205]

Most tenders will work well with an AGM battery. The ones I have are from Schneider Electric (the company that owns APC) and I bought them almost 15 years ago. They do a perfect job on all of my batteries.

You can absolutely connect to the "+" terminal and ground post under the hood - this is how I have done it every single time.

You -can- put the car in Transport Mode (turn on the flashers and start the car like normal, but DON'T let go of the Start button until you get the message in the dash that Transport Mode is enabled - same process to turn it off). This will reduce the parasitic drain from the battery in the first place and result in "less charging needed" overall.

DO NOT START THE CAR while it's being stored. You are doing far more harm than good.

I inflate my OEM tires to 40PSI, park it, connect the tender, cover it (in a garage), and don't think about it until spring.

[Evergreen6]

Any tender/maintainer will do as long as it supports an AGM charging profile and has enough amperage (2 to 10?) to actually charge/maintain as needed.

Your two biggest threats are moisture and mice. If you don't have a heated garage, at least make sure if you live in a wet climate (like the northwest) to run a dehumidifier. True cold climates (like Minnesota) will index the other way - they will actually become too dry for optimal storage if the space isn't conditioned.

Once you get your building set up, change the oil in the car if it's due or will be sitting longer than the next required change interval.

You want to connect the tender to the posts under the hood so you have the protection of fusible links should something go wrong. Connecting directly to the battery will remove that protection and thus removes a layer of safety.

Do not start the vehicle during storage. There is no sense in cycling the engine only to create additional contaminants and moisture which will accelerate rot. As long as you're not storing more than a year, just wait until wake-up day to start.

[Smokin19]

I would suggest if you are parking on concrete to put something under the tires. I use carpet remnants and carpet under whole car. Concrete over time will degrade the tires.

[NYTMARE23]

Originally Posted by speedyink1

Thanks!

What do the dryer sheets do? Is that for mice?

Yeah, Next years project is insulating everything so a heater will actually do something. If I had the heat I'd feel better about not starting it for longer periods

Yes. The dryer sheets are for mice

[Broooster]

Dryer sheets work OK to deter the mice, I prefer to eliminate them. I put a couple bucket traps around my car with a high concentration of salt water so it doesn't freeze. Works great and I don't have to check or reset the trap, keeps working all winter. YouTube bucket trap, there are a number of great ideas.

[NYTMARE23]

Originally Posted by Broooster

Dryer sheets work OK to deter the mice, I prefer to eliminate them. I put a couple bucket traps around my car with a high concentration of salt water so it doesn't freeze. Works great and I don't have to check or reset the trap, keeps working all winter. YouTube bucket trap, there are a number of great ideas.

Agree, I double up as well. Along with the dryer sheets, I have traps on the floor along all 4 corners of the car and one underneath. I'm not taking ANY chances with mice!

[302crossram]

NOCO genius is the way

I may go a few weeks between driving so I have the 2 Amp agm mode model.
works great, I leave the range plugged in 24/7 hence the
intermittent battery tender usage