Mustang Winterizing Questions
10-30-2018, 07:31 PM
#1
CMOC Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Calgary
Posts: 4
Mustang Winterizing Questions
Hi, new 2011 Mustang (3.7 litre) Owner and new to this forum. I am a newbie and have some questions about storing my stang for 5 months.
1) Lifting Mustang to work underneath it
I will be storing my car in an apartment parkade but first, I need to flush the coolant, change oil outside in my driveway (not ideal) and I am wondering how I can get under the car to remove the panel and petcock. It was easy to get under my Jeep Cherokee but the Mustang is so low. Should I use some low profile ramps. I just need enough room to drain the coolant and change the oil. Any tips would be helpful.
2) Chemical Flush??
It's recommended to flush the engine coolant before storage. Should I use a chemical flush to clean out the coolant or just distilled water. Are Chemical Flush Treatments like (Peak Radiator Super Cleaner Flush) corrosive to the engine, hoses etc. Some videos recommend a chemical flush and some just use distilled water. What is best?
3) Anti-Freeze??
Which Anti-freeze would you recommend?? Are most 50/50 coolants good or are there some to avoid? The previous owner used an orange coolant (unsure of the brand) and there are green coolants. Any reason to use one over the other?
4) Preventing Tire Flat Spots
Getting weight off the Tires - When storing a vehicle for 4-5 months, they say you’re supposed to get the weight off the Tires to prevent “Flat Spots”. I am storing the car in a parkade and I don’t have a lot of room. Do you recommend using “Jack Stands” or “Flat Stopper” Ramps to prevent “flat spots” on the tires?? Are there any negatives to using Flat Stopper ramps? Alternatively, I was going to jack up the car and put 4 jacks under it. I will be storing the car in a parkade. Would it be safe to leave the car covered and on jacks for 5 months?
5) Fogging Engine
Some people say you should fog your engine to prevent rust on internals and cylinders etc. Is this necessary? and if so how do I do this. I heard it's not a simple procedure.
Thanks in advance and sorry for the long winded post. I figured I may as well ask all the questions at once.
1) Lifting Mustang to work underneath it
I will be storing my car in an apartment parkade but first, I need to flush the coolant, change oil outside in my driveway (not ideal) and I am wondering how I can get under the car to remove the panel and petcock. It was easy to get under my Jeep Cherokee but the Mustang is so low. Should I use some low profile ramps. I just need enough room to drain the coolant and change the oil. Any tips would be helpful.
2) Chemical Flush??
It's recommended to flush the engine coolant before storage. Should I use a chemical flush to clean out the coolant or just distilled water. Are Chemical Flush Treatments like (Peak Radiator Super Cleaner Flush) corrosive to the engine, hoses etc. Some videos recommend a chemical flush and some just use distilled water. What is best?
3) Anti-Freeze??
Which Anti-freeze would you recommend?? Are most 50/50 coolants good or are there some to avoid? The previous owner used an orange coolant (unsure of the brand) and there are green coolants. Any reason to use one over the other?
4) Preventing Tire Flat Spots
Getting weight off the Tires - When storing a vehicle for 4-5 months, they say you’re supposed to get the weight off the Tires to prevent “Flat Spots”. I am storing the car in a parkade and I don’t have a lot of room. Do you recommend using “Jack Stands” or “Flat Stopper” Ramps to prevent “flat spots” on the tires?? Are there any negatives to using Flat Stopper ramps? Alternatively, I was going to jack up the car and put 4 jacks under it. I will be storing the car in a parkade. Would it be safe to leave the car covered and on jacks for 5 months?
5) Fogging Engine
Some people say you should fog your engine to prevent rust on internals and cylinders etc. Is this necessary? and if so how do I do this. I heard it's not a simple procedure.
Thanks in advance and sorry for the long winded post. I figured I may as well ask all the questions at once.
10-30-2018, 10:25 PM
#2
Moderator
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Slave Lake, AB
Posts: 6,871
I’ve stored many Mustangs over the years and here are my thoughts
1) If you can swing it Race Ramps are fantastic. They are low profile and extremely light which makes storing them much nicer.
https://raceramps.com/
2) Before flushing your coolant check your owners manual. The long life coolant they use now has much longer service intervals and might not need to be done yet.
3) Again check the manual and make sure you use the appropriate coolant for your car.
4) I’ve never worried about flat spots and I’ve never had an issue. I don’t think it’s as big an issue as it used to be in the old bias ply days.
5) I wouldn’t worry about fogging, I’ve never known anyone to do this.
When I store a car the main things I do are change the oil, check tires for proper inflation, put some stabil in the fuel and hook up a battery tender. If you do that you’ll be fine.
1) If you can swing it Race Ramps are fantastic. They are low profile and extremely light which makes storing them much nicer.
https://raceramps.com/
2) Before flushing your coolant check your owners manual. The long life coolant they use now has much longer service intervals and might not need to be done yet.
3) Again check the manual and make sure you use the appropriate coolant for your car.
4) I’ve never worried about flat spots and I’ve never had an issue. I don’t think it’s as big an issue as it used to be in the old bias ply days.
5) I wouldn’t worry about fogging, I’ve never known anyone to do this.
When I store a car the main things I do are change the oil, check tires for proper inflation, put some stabil in the fuel and hook up a battery tender. If you do that you’ll be fine.
10-30-2018, 11:06 PM
#3
CMOC Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Calgary
Posts: 4
Thanks Chad.
Flat Stopper Ramps
Here's a link to the original "flat stopper" ramps to prevent flat spots. I know these work but are too pricey for me. Does anyone know if these
tire save ramps (link below) from Home Depot work. They look less round so I don't know if they would be as effective as the "Flat Stopper" Ramps at preventing flat spots.
Anyone use these?
Tire Saver Ramps
Question Re: Cars Electrical System and Battery Removal
Since I will be storing the Mustang in a parked where there will be no electrical outlets, I was going to remove the battery for winter storage, will this mess with the mustangs internal electrical system (built in alarm etc.) when I put the battery back in the car in spring?
Flat Stopper Ramps
Here's a link to the original "flat stopper" ramps to prevent flat spots. I know these work but are too pricey for me. Does anyone know if these
tire save ramps (link below) from Home Depot work. They look less round so I don't know if they would be as effective as the "Flat Stopper" Ramps at preventing flat spots.
Anyone use these?
Tire Saver Ramps
Question Re: Cars Electrical System and Battery Removal
Since I will be storing the Mustang in a parked where there will be no electrical outlets, I was going to remove the battery for winter storage, will this mess with the mustangs internal electrical system (built in alarm etc.) when I put the battery back in the car in spring?
Last edited by RedRock11; 10-30-2018 at 11:13 PM.
10-31-2018, 12:23 PM
#4
Adminut
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Maple Tree, Branch #2 above the rope swing
Posts: 5,722
Dude, you're making it way more complicated than it needs to be. I top off the tank with 93 octane and some gas stabilizer, pull it in the garage, disconnect the battery, throw the cover on and walk away until spring.
Maybe this year I'll hook up a battery tender, but even then, I've never had any issues the last two years bringing it out of storage. Good luck.
Maybe this year I'll hook up a battery tender, but even then, I've never had any issues the last two years bringing it out of storage. Good luck.
10-31-2018, 02:27 PM
#5
CMOC Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Calgary
Posts: 4
Yeah you're right. Thanks.
2 more questions I do need answered though.
1) When I am flushing the engine coolant, are there 2 places too drain the coolant from? The radiator and the petcock or just the petcock?
2)b Also, I want to connect a hose to the drain and don't know what diameter the hose need to be. Hope somebody has done this who would know. Thanks
2 more questions I do need answered though.
1) When I am flushing the engine coolant, are there 2 places too drain the coolant from? The radiator and the petcock or just the petcock?
2)b Also, I want to connect a hose to the drain and don't know what diameter the hose need to be. Hope somebody has done this who would know. Thanks
10-31-2018, 10:38 PM
#6
Moderator
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Slave Lake, AB
Posts: 6,871
Thanks Chad.
Flat Stopper Ramps
Here's a link to the original "flat stopper" ramps to prevent flat spots. I know these work but are too pricey for me. Does anyone know if these
tire save ramps (link below) from Home Depot work. They look less round so I don't know if they would be as effective as the "Flat Stopper" Ramps at preventing flat spots.
Anyone use these?
Tire Saver Ramps
Question Re: Cars Electrical System and Battery Removal
Since I will be storing the Mustang in a parked where there will be no electrical outlets, I was going to remove the battery for winter storage, will this mess with the mustangs internal electrical system (built in alarm etc.) when I put the battery back in the car in spring?
Flat Stopper Ramps
Here's a link to the original "flat stopper" ramps to prevent flat spots. I know these work but are too pricey for me. Does anyone know if these
tire save ramps (link below) from Home Depot work. They look less round so I don't know if they would be as effective as the "Flat Stopper" Ramps at preventing flat spots.
Anyone use these?
Tire Saver Ramps
Question Re: Cars Electrical System and Battery Removal
Since I will be storing the Mustang in a parked where there will be no electrical outlets, I was going to remove the battery for winter storage, will this mess with the mustangs internal electrical system (built in alarm etc.) when I put the battery back in the car in spring?
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