How to winterize a car?

Nizzan · 01-29-2009, 11:49 AM

I reside in Chicago and am looking to buy the new 370Z but I am not planning on driving the car it in the snow. I have no idea how to take care of the car in the winter. Do I drain out the oil? Do I lift the car from the ground so the tires don’t sit on the ground? What do with the fuel? Any replay is appreciated as loon as you know what you are talking about.

Thanks

G&M Performance · 01-29-2009, 11:55 AM

Flush the cooling system and replace the coolant.... Check tire pressure... Replace wiper fluid with winter friendly fluid... Make sure you have air in the spare tire... Check the heater and defroster... Keep your gas tank FULL.... Slap together a winter emergency kit.. (scraper, first aid kit, gloves, flash light, small shovel, and even some dry clay dirt (cat litter) just in case you get stuck...

That's about it!!!

Nizzan · 01-29-2009, 12:18 PM

I am not going to drive the car in the winter it will sit in the garage for 3-4 months

G&M Performance · 01-29-2009, 12:43 PM

Just keep up with the tire pressure and make sure you let the car run for a little while once or twice a week and you'll be fine. As far as the gas goes, get a fuel stabilizer from your local Pep Boys, Auto Zone, or some other parts store. It will sustain the longevity of the gas and protect your car. Remember to keep your tank FULL too. That will prevent moisture from freezing your fuel lines, and will keep you in check when you do your weekly startups...

Hope that helps.

zelerious · 01-29-2009, 02:18 PM

Let me google that for you.

Sorry, had to do it!

G&M Performance · 01-29-2009, 02:32 PM

Yeah that would have been much easier!!! Then again, I'm not always lazy.

fredzy · 01-29-2009, 03:56 PM

Hey, I was going to start a new thread but I'll ask here first..

I have a set of 17's with performance winter tires that fit on my 350Z Track (with Brembos) no problem, lots of clearance. I want to get a 370Z with sport pkg... ANY idea what the min. wheel size for these brakes will be?

350Z has 12.8" rotors, 370Z has 14". The rotor itself would fit with a good bit of margin bit I have no idea about the calipers.

I don't drive my 350 in the snow anymore and wouldnt do it to the 370, but I put the winter tires on over winter still for emergency vehicle useage.

fredzy · 01-29-2009, 04:01 PM

BTW the wheels are 17x7.5 Sport Edition A7, same front/rear.

Offset: +32mm, Backspacing: 5.59" - got the wheels and info from Tire Rack.

ArtVandaleigh · 01-29-2009, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nizzan

I reside in Chicago and am looking to buy the new 370Z but I am not planning on driving the car it in the snow. I have no idea how to take care of the car in the winter. Do I drain out the oil? Do I lift the car from the ground so the tires don’t sit on the ground? What do with the fuel? Any replay is appreciated as loon as you know what you are talking about.

Thanks

Many people have their own methods, but when I stored my 350 for a winter (5 months) all i did was slap a battery tender on it and make sure it had fresh oil before the cover went on, full tank of gas as well. Didnt touch it til spring and it fired up no problems. Granted it was stored in a heated storage area, but besides making sure the fluid levels and tire pressure were fine, I had no issues afterwards. A few guys at work who store cars have used this method for many years without problems, they actually were against the driving it every 2 weeks deal.

Nizzan · 01-30-2009, 12:48 PM

Thanks man

01-29-2009, 11:49 AM	#1 (permalink)
Nizzan Base Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Chicago Posts: 8 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 16	How to winterize a car? I reside in Chicago and am looking to buy the new 370Z but I am not planning on driving the car it in the snow. I have no idea how to take care of the car in the winter. Do I drain out the oil? Do I lift the car from the ground so the tires don’t sit on the ground? What do with the fuel? Any replay is appreciated as loon as you know what you are talking about. Thanks

01-29-2009, 11:55 AM	#2 (permalink)
G&M Performance Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 425 Drives: LS3 Genesis Coupe Rep Power: 227	Flush the cooling system and replace the coolant.... Check tire pressure... Replace wiper fluid with winter friendly fluid... Make sure you have air in the spare tire... Check the heater and defroster... Keep your gas tank FULL.... Slap together a winter emergency kit.. (scraper, first aid kit, gloves, flash light, small shovel, and even some dry clay dirt (cat litter) just in case you get stuck... That's about it!!!

01-29-2009, 12:18 PM	#3 (permalink)
Nizzan Base Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Chicago Posts: 8 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 16	I am not going to drive the car in the winter it will sit in the garage for 3-4 months

01-29-2009, 12:43 PM	#4 (permalink)
G&M Performance Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 425 Drives: LS3 Genesis Coupe Rep Power: 227	Just keep up with the tire pressure and make sure you let the car run for a little while once or twice a week and you'll be fine. As far as the gas goes, get a fuel stabilizer from your local Pep Boys, Auto Zone, or some other parts store. It will sustain the longevity of the gas and protect your car. Remember to keep your tank FULL too. That will prevent moisture from freezing your fuel lines, and will keep you in check when you do your weekly startups... Hope that helps.

01-29-2009, 02:18 PM	#5 (permalink)
zelerious Base Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Albany, NY Posts: 21 Drives: 03 350Z Touring-sold Rep Power: 16	Let me google that for you. Sorry, had to do it!

01-29-2009, 02:32 PM	#6 (permalink)
G&M Performance Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 425 Drives: LS3 Genesis Coupe Rep Power: 227	Yeah that would have been much easier!!! Then again, I'm not always lazy.

01-29-2009, 03:56 PM	#7 (permalink)
fredzy Base Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Pittsburgh/Erie Posts: 4 Drives: Z33 Track Rep Power: 16	Hey, I was going to start a new thread but I'll ask here first.. I have a set of 17's with performance winter tires that fit on my 350Z Track (with Brembos) no problem, lots of clearance. I want to get a 370Z with sport pkg... ANY idea what the min. wheel size for these brakes will be? 350Z has 12.8" rotors, 370Z has 14". The rotor itself would fit with a good bit of margin bit I have no idea about the calipers. I don't drive my 350 in the snow anymore and wouldnt do it to the 370, but I put the winter tires on over winter still for emergency vehicle useage.

01-29-2009, 04:01 PM	#8 (permalink)
fredzy Base Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Pittsburgh/Erie Posts: 4 Drives: Z33 Track Rep Power: 16	BTW the wheels are 17x7.5 Sport Edition A7, same front/rear. Offset: +32mm, Backspacing: 5.59" - got the wheels and info from Tire Rack.

01-30-2009, 12:48 PM	#10 (permalink)
Nizzan Base Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Chicago Posts: 8 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 16	Thanks man