Storing 21 ORP tips

Looking for any suggestions for storing my 21 ORP for winter.

I have it all washed/waxed, filled tank with gas and stabil and tires are at 36psi.

I also have a battery tender I was going to hook up after a few weeks and I have a California car cover.

Does anybody else have any storage suggestions? Should I start every other week for half hour? I did this with prior Explorer

I also had the frame fluid filmed two weeks ago.

My plan is to store over winter to avoid Michigan salt/snow and crappy weather.

Dealer advised me not to even start it until spring which seems odd but maybe that is the way now?

I know many of you will think I am crazy but my plan is to keep this rig a long time and keep her looking good and rust free

 

Lots of short trips in cold weather can result in condensation in the oil? Or gas in the oil? One of those two, I think. Someone else chime in here.

I wonder if this is why they dealer told you not to start it several times over the winter without actually putting some miles on it.

 

Sounds like you have all your bases covered.

I've never experienced a Michigan winter but hopefully you can find a couple of days each month to take it out for a good highway run. That should eliminate the engine worries.

 

Your plan is solid. FYI folks on the Miata forums agree that unless you can drive it around it's best to just let it sit since it will never really fully warm up when idling. I've stored motorcycles the same way you are planning with no issues. I've also used the approach of taking the vehicle out occasionally when the roads are dry since it makes me feel good.

 

Yup! Either drive it every once in long enough to get the condensation out of the oil, exhaust, etc, or just let it sit.

 

Let it sit. I would bring the tires to over 40 and park on carpet squares. I did this with a few BMWs and never had any flat spot issues.

Are rodents a problem? Maybe some peppermint spray/mouse magic around the truck?

 

Thanks for tips all. I guess I will let it sit and if I get a dry salt free day take her for a good drive. It’s nice to pay storage rate for insurance though much cheaper.

Rodents have not been an issue in the past knock on wood. I get occasional mouse but I keep traps and poison in garage. For my boat I always put bounce dryer sheets in it ar my storage place. Apparently mice do not like the smell.

I will bump up that tire pressure and get some carpet squares that’s a good idea.

When I had my old Explorer I would start it at idle for 30 min in garage once per week. Looking back wonder if I did a disservice doing that.

Thanks all

 

This would be my biggest concern, things moving in. I have used some cedar https://www.walmart.com/ip/Homegrown-Cedar-Products-Cedar-Rings/782756816?athbdg=L1200 and pepermint type wax cubes.

 

I don’t like the poison if you don’t already have an existing rodent problem. It can attract rodents. Then they crawl in your truck and die. If you discover a problem, THEN go in with the poison, but not before.

Google “Fresh Cab”. They’re balsam fir scented pouches that rodents don’t like. Put a few in the storage area.