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Old 10-17-2019, 11:11 PM   #1
segerton
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Default Winter storage- to start or not to start?

I’ve got a 2018 stage 2 WRX with 6k miles on it and I’m about to put it away for the winter.

It will be in an unheated ocean container. New oil, full tank of gas with stabil. Battery on a motorcycle sized trickle charger.

I’m wondering if I should start it once in a while when the temps get over 40 or just let it sit till April when I put it on the road.

Opinions?
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Old 10-18-2019, 06:36 AM   #2
rtv900
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just leave it sit

Why are you storing it for the winter anyhow?
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Old 10-18-2019, 08:22 AM   #3
Jack
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Tire Rack will sell you a set of wheels with snow tires on it. An STi isn't a Pagani. Just drive the thing. If you store it, google how to fix the wiring harness after mice chew the crap out of it. And yes, they will be able to get into one of those containers.
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Old 10-18-2019, 09:34 AM   #4
segerton
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jack View Post
Tire Rack will sell you a set of wheels with snow tires on it. An STi isn't a Pagani. Just drive the thing. If you store it, google how to fix the wiring harness after mice chew the crap out of it. And yes, they will be able to get into one of those containers.


It’s a one trip container. Google that.
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Old 10-18-2019, 09:38 AM   #5
segerton
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rtv900 View Post
just leave it sit

Why are you storing it for the winter anyhow?


New England salt ate my last WRX and I’ve got an old outback as my winter beater.
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Old 10-18-2019, 10:59 AM   #6
Fndragn
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I don't care what kind of container you buy it won't be as great as your thinking it will be. We use them at work and buy almost new units, they just don't last that long or stay rodent proof.
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Old 10-18-2019, 01:01 PM   #7
segerton
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fndragn View Post
I don’t care what kind of container you buy it won’t be as great as your thinking it will be. We use them at work and buy almost new units, they just don’t last that long or stay rodent proof.


I already have one and it’s rat proof. I’ll put some chicken in there tonight and prove it to all of ya.

Back to the question; start the car or leave it for a few months?
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Old 10-18-2019, 01:22 PM   #8
rtv900
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Quote:
Originally Posted by segerton View Post
I already have one and it’s rat proof. I’ll put some chicken in there tonight and prove it to all of ya.

Back to the question; start the car or leave it for a few months?
just leave it
or start it, it makes no difference

The only thing we care about at this point is a report of the chicken in the rat proof container results, so get that in motion already
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Old 10-18-2019, 11:33 PM   #9
oichan
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I do not start my cars after hibernation until Spring when I take them out for a spin. Steam builds up in the midpipe and you'll need to drive at least 10-15miles to get all that moisture to dry, plus oil temps up to 180F.

I put my cars away for the season last weekend in my garage as well. My WRX will run all throughout winter for me. I understand if someone wants to keep salt off their car. That crap will make a 1-2 yr old new car look like a rusted 10yr old undercarriage in no time.
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Old 10-19-2019, 01:33 AM   #10
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I don’t drive one of my cars while the roads are salted during winter. I do drive it during winter if the roads are clean. I start it whenever I miss hearing it run if I’m not able to drive it while there is salt on the road. I have a second wrx that gets the any weather any time treatment. If you plan on letting it sit and not even start it you may want to also consider using fuel stabilizer. Make sure no rodents can get inside the container.
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Old 10-19-2019, 08:59 AM   #11
rtv900
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Quote:
Originally Posted by oichan View Post
I do not start my cars after hibernation until Spring when I take them out for a spin. Steam builds up in the midpipe and you'll need to drive at least 10-15miles to get all that moisture to dry, plus oil temps up to 180F.

I put my cars away for the season last weekend in my garage as well. My WRX will run all throughout winter for me. I understand if someone wants to keep salt off their car. That crap will make a 1-2 yr old new car look like a rusted 10yr old undercarriage in no time.
^correct reasoning for not starting it
If you do, you kind of have to take it for a real drive. Can't exactly sit inside your rat proof container and let it run until warm right? Otherwise it will be a coffin for you AND the rats that got in despite your claims.

My car is going on it's 4th winter now and I daily it all winter, never wash salt off or anything and there's no rust at all anywhere really. It has held up great.
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Old 10-19-2019, 09:50 AM   #12
segerton
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Quote:
Originally Posted by oichan View Post
I do not start my cars after hibernation until Spring when I take them out for a spin. Steam builds up in the midpipe and you'll need to drive at least 10-15miles to get all that moisture to dry, plus oil temps up to 180F.

I put my cars away for the season last weekend in my garage as well. My WRX will run all throughout winter for me. I understand if someone wants to keep salt off their car. That crap will make a 1-2 yr old new car look like a rusted 10yr old undercarriage in no time.


Good advice. Thanks
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Old 10-23-2019, 07:01 PM   #13
Mr.Impreza.
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As already mentioned, but I'll point it out again for others who are scrolling down.

Winter Storage

New oil
Full tank of gas with Fuel Stabilizer
Battery Tender
DO NOT start it up, unless you plan to actually drive it.
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Old 10-23-2019, 07:17 PM   #14
GlarryHoodDIT
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Why is new oil necessary? I get if you're already at the mileage and need to do one anyways, but the car is just gonna sit for months- how does new oil benefit this in anyway?
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Old 10-24-2019, 12:09 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GlarryHoodDIT View Post
Why is new oil necessary? I get if you're already at the mileage and need to do one anyways, but the car is just gonna sit for months- how does new oil benefit this in anyway?
changing oil before storage is basically the number one item on a list of things to do

moisture free oil, less sludge sticking while it sits, oil galleys flushed with new oil right before storage.
Basically everything you want to ensure before storing a motor is helped to be achieved by doing that
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Old 10-24-2019, 01:21 PM   #16
lawadm1
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The best thing about these cars, are how fun they are to drive in the winter, with snow tires. Not sure why someone would let there's sit for the winter. Go back to rear wheel drive cars, if that's the case.
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Old 10-24-2019, 01:55 PM   #17
rtv900
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lawadm1 View Post
The best thing about these cars, are how fun they are to drive in the winter, with snow tires. Not sure why someone would let there's sit for the winter. Go back to rear wheel drive cars, if that's the case.
^yeah really, that's the whole reason I got mine, so I didn't have to keep a crapper old SUV for snow days to make it to work.

The OP is also storing his Jeep Grand Cherokee for winter, and his F350 with snow plow.

In summer he stores his corvette convertible and Jeep Wrangler.
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Old 10-25-2019, 12:00 PM   #18
19FA20_joe
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I also planned on storing my 2019 Flex Fuel build, that was until I drove it last winter. I will agree there aren't many cars out there more fun to drive during winter than these. As far as rust Noxudol makes an undercoating called 900D. This stuff is incredible if you apply it right and before the rust starts. You will need to remove all plastic shields, fender liners, wheels, and spray it through a raptor gun. Also cavity wax is great inside boxed sections and doors. If you coat absolutely everything the car will hold up near spotless for years and years. I personally have a couple of vehicles that have been treated like that for 7-8 years and they look better than a year old used vehicle. I live in Western New York where 100% salt is the answer to everything, so I know how hard it is on vehicles.

Last edited by 19FA20_joe; 10-25-2019 at 12:07 PM.
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Old 10-27-2019, 09:04 PM   #19
segerton
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I get it. The WRX fun in the winter. I’ve got a couple rotting on the farm if anyone’s looking to buy a “ran when parked” bugeye.. DMs. Wish I’d gotten those new and had fluid filmed them..

The reason I’m putting MY new one in storage for 4 months is because I can. For once in my life I’ve got a new car and the means to store it.. And it’s mint. Everything else I have is beat with over 200k on the clocks. I’ve got a plow truck and outback to beat on. They are under coated by me every year and plenty of fun in the snow.
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Old 10-28-2019, 06:15 AM   #20
19FA20_joe
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Trust me I have a spotless truck I store every winter. There definitely is nothing like pulling it out every spring just as clean as it was put away lol
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Old 10-28-2019, 11:15 PM   #21
the_saintusa
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr.Impreza. View Post
As already mentioned, but I'll point it out again for others who are scrolling down.

Winter Storage

New oil
Full tank of gas with Fuel Stabilizer
Battery Tender
DO NOT start it up, unless you plan to actually drive it.
Ditto.

My Subaru is my winter beater (but is a 2004 STi).
It is an absolute blast to drive. With a set of winter tires the STi is a beast! Plus with it already having rust, been keyed, and a few dents, ZERO worries driving it.

That being said, I just put my 911 on a battery tender and covered it.
Fresh oil (less than 6 miles on the oil).
Washed
Covered

Come spring it will come out and be ready to go.
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Old 10-29-2019, 10:55 PM   #22
CJscoobie
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I like to drive my cars in the winter but I totally understand you wanting to store it for the spring. Like it's been said before, don't start it until you plan to drive it regularly.
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Old 11-01-2019, 11:53 AM   #23
Easyy
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No start, just throw sta-bil in it and call it a day imo.
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Old 11-01-2019, 03:42 PM   #24
Zedexgc8
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no need to change oil
Just full gas tank, sta-bil in it and that's it.

Change the oil after storage.
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Old 11-01-2019, 03:48 PM   #25
rtv900
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Zedexgc8 View Post
no need to change oil
Just full gas tank, sta-bil in it and that's it.

Change the oil after storage.
this is the opposite of every storage recommendation for piston engines ever created
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