What's the best way to store the Z for winter?
 

I was wondering how you guys store your Z for the winter months? I'll have it covered in my garage but do you start it up every few weeks and let it run for awhile or do you just let it sit til you're ready to drive it fulltime again? I've never had a car that I didn't drive year round so any tips and advice would be greatly appreciated. thank you.

UUGGGHHH, I dont even want to think about winter. But anyway, I store mine inside and also cover it. I started it once a week and let it run for a few min till the temp came up. I still ran into an issue with the battery. One week it sounded real weak. Then next week it didnt start. No problem though, just recharged the battery and bought an Optima when i took it out for the spring.

Winter?? What's that? It's 100 degrees today!!

Easy, just keep trying to drive it like I do, :D. It's fun going 1 mile per hour at a 45 degree angle down the highway...:D.

Change the oil just before you put it away. Start it up & let it run at least 5 minutes once a month. Maybe drive it around the block if weather is clear. Keep your tire pressure up.


Also give her a fresh coat of wax and of course keep her covered if you can.

Change the oil again in the spring when you start driving it again. another coat of wax won't hurt either.

I'm so glad I don't have to worry about this anymore. :)

He's in Michigan, winter starts in a couple weeks. :)

:icon18: You're not far from wrong.

Its like 95degrees today, but yes it's michigan it could snow next week LOL :icon17:

Ok, but what if you can't cover it? I live in MD and our snow level varies from season to season. Will my "Z" be ok outside just sitting for a while?

I would think it would be ok. Its the nasty road salt that I dont want my car getting coated with, especially my new Nismo Catback with the polished muffler ;) Luckily I'll have mine stored in the garage with a cover on it, but a friend of mine with an S2000 said he was told not to start his S at all while its stored and he had to stick stocks in the exhaust pipes and his intake. Some people say to warm up the Z every few weeks and others say to not start it at all that's why I wanted to start this thread and see what other Z owners have done in the past. I hope this helps out others wondering the same thing.

I'd wash it as often as possible then. Absolutely put several layers of wax on it and start it up once a week. I'd say put a car cover on it but that could be more trouble than it's worth in freezing conditions.

If it will be sitting on a road that gets salted I'd wash it as often as I could.

The best way to store it is to put snow tires on it and drive it like I do!! Ha ha... Unless you get really deep snow you shouldn't have any trouble.

But to address your question, there are two schools of thought on the subject without any definative answer. (1) Start it up ever few weeks vs (2) pull out the battery and let it sit all winter.

I had an '86 Carrera which I started every few weeks. It ran smooth until I sold it last year.

I think you would be ok for a winter or two but I wouldn't want to do that for several years. Letting the car sit all winter in the elements would be terrible for the hoses, tires, belts etc. At least in a garage it gets some protection from the cold temps.

here in so cal we just get rain so everyday is like the car wash :) i donno how u guys in the snow do it. the snow makes me feel so immobile lol

Just plan on putting some snow tires on the Z and driving it. It isn't an exotic, so might as well enjoy it.

I don't even use snow tires! Maybe that's why I have to go 1 MPH...hmmm, :D.

Ditto. California is great (only been here a year). Bought the Roadster, driver it all year round, only put the top up once! :) I spent a good chunk of my childhood in Michigan, that's where I learned how to drive.

I intend on driving my Car through the winter, if I buy the Z it will be my only car... I guess i could take the train in the winter months. You think it handels well in the snow? :(

Indiana here. I've been in California 25 yrs now.

Oh, and welcome to the board!

that must suck not driving in the winter!! haha... move to california!! where u can drive it all year round with no probs!! :D