winter storage

[Spike]

Does anyone have any hints on storage for the winter?
I have read that there could be some problems as a result of removing the battery.
Any comments would be appreciated.

[nj susan]

Re: winter storage

Don't store it - drive it! I don't take her out in snow, ice, sleet, or rain for that matter. But if the ground is dry and salt free, out she comes, and I smile all the way to work.

[Borla Babe]

Re: winter storage

Spike, Several members hook a battery tender to their car battery for winter storage. Use the search menu above and type in battery tender and many threads will pop up to help you decide what tender is best to use.

[Dansbirds]

Re: winter storage

Last year was the first year we stored it with the hardtop on, previous years we left the hardtop off and the soft top up and all was fine. Dont leave the hardtop on, unless you enjoy dead batteries. Try as they might to say its caused from lack of use, I think Ford has a problem they wont admit. Something with the rear defrost/hardtop causes a draw. I worked for Mercedes Benz for years and they have more electrical draws then your Bird, my Bird and others added together and they will start after sitting in storage. Last year after a month it wouldnt start so I charged it and got it going again after that I did disconnect the battery and the only thing is you have to reset memory stuff(radio presets) It created no adverse effects on the car at all. Also after thinking of all the ones at dealer lots I ever looked at when new the only dead battery cars had hardtops on. Just my 2cents worth on a long ramble.

[Tbirddave]

Re: winter storage

Hey Larry - My hint may be a little extreme, But you could move to south TEXAS and drive it year round.

[Borla Babe]

Re: winter storage

Last year was the first year we stored it with the hardtop on, previous years we left the hardtop off and the soft top up and all was fine. Dont leave the hardtop on, unless you enjoy dead batteries. Try as they might to say its caused from lack of use, I think Ford has a problem they wont admit. Something with the rear defrost/hardtop causes a draw. .

Dan, That's interesting info, I don't think any of us are aware of what you mentioned as far as storing the car with the hardtop on and that contibuting to draining the battery. Do you have any more inforation on this?




Another thing Spike ....don't set the alarm, that will also drain the battery.

[luvbirdz]

Re: winter storage

Hi Larry,
We know what Ontario winters do to our cars, don't blame you for storing your summer toy, and your winter is a little longer and colder than in Barrie.
Assuming it is in cold storage , change the oil, fill the tank, add fuel stabilizer (arguable point around here) check the antifreeze, pull the battery and keep it in a warm place and put it on the charger once or twice during the winter. Come spring make sure the battery vent is hooked up again and you are ready to go, reset the window settings if necessary and the radio. Mine just went to the nest (a barn 15 miles away) and won't see it again until spring.
I put the hardtop on, no problem so far, but Mark in Ottawa found a mildew problem with his last winter, so have to find out where he stored it that may have caused the problem.
Good luck.
Martin (well one of them)

[luvbirdz]

Re: winter storage

Hey Larry - My hint may be a little extreme, But you could move to south TEXAS and drive it year round.

Tempting offer, we get the snow, you get the Hurricanes, guess we all have to live with what Mother Nature throws at us.

Martin

[Borla Babe]

Re: winter storage

We've got a boat, we use the boat all summer. Come winter my husband puts the boat in storage, removes the battery, wraps it in a towel and places it in the garage for storage. In the spring, he puts the battery on a charger overnight, then installs it back into the boat and it starts right up.
So my question is this, why is removal of the battery in a car any different than the above boat battery example? What possible problems other than having to reset windows or radio stations could removing a car battery cause?

[MATBird]

Re: winter storage

Does anyone have any hints on storage for the winter?
I have read that there could be some problems as a result of removing the battery.
Any comments would be appreciated.

I wouldn't remove the battery -The battery tender is great. Just attached the (permanent) pigtail and you can plug and unplug the tender any time. If you want to run it on a good day, just unplug and off you go. Return and just replug it in. A good $60. imnvestment.
If you are on a cement floor, I'd reccommend 4 pieces of plywood under the tires.
If you do not use the convertible top much and it spends most of it's time down in the well, this is a great time of the year to keep it up and stretched, with your car cover on.
Just some suggestions
Also be sure to adds Stabil to your fuel. It may not go bad in 6 months but Stabil will ensure that the fuel stays fresh.

[ChromeDome]

Re: winter storage

So my question is this, why is removal of the battery in a car any different than the above boat battery example? What possible problems other than having to reset windows or radio stations could removing a car battery cause?

Julie, The computer has several "learned parameters". These are lost when the battery is removed. Read the Maintenance and Specifications section of your Owners Manual that covers the Battery. It covers all the adaptive strategies that are lost when the battery is removed. It also explains how to reset them.

[00mustng]

Re: winter storage

....Don't know what your storage situation is....whether it's at home in your garage....or somewhere off premises .....but if you can access the car, while in storage, I'd fire it up to operating temperature on a regular basis...If you can move it about a bit, that would be good too....It's been a lot of years since I've done an Ontario winter....Alberta winters can be pretty brutal as well...Both the 'Birds share a garage at home....I don't drive the '81 in the winter but do as I've suggested above....for years, without any problem.....

[luvbirdz]

Re: winter storage

WOULD, IF I COULD, BUT I CAN'T!!!

George, no power available to me, but it would if I could.
Ken, what type of parameters are they, the manual is in the Bird.
Martin,(the other) have done that when in my own garage but prefer to pay for the storage and have the one car I drive in the winter,in it so I don't have to scrape windows.
Sure could use a 3 car heated garage.

Martin

[Guest]

Re: winter storage

Yep, up a few threads as Martin (luvbirdz) described, I got mildew on the soft top - last year I decided to store my beloved Blue Bird at my dad's apartment condo complex - it has above ground multi-level storage with what appeared to be good ventilation. But the parking garage "felt damp" as winter settled in, and there was no way in hell I could find another facility at that point. Believe me, Ontario winters are brutal (violins playing in the background). Anyway, I finally came to my senses, ejected my classic Lebaron from my home garage, and put Bluebird in its rightful nest. Actually, I loved my Lebaron - had it for almost 20 years, but one toy is enough for me - so guess who won.

Anyway, though the Birdnest at home is super dry, insulated and heated, I decided to store her with the hardtop off, and the softtop raised. Just feel better about it. Also, I honestly don't see a need to remove the battery - I have done that in years past with Blue Bird and other toys, having them on a low charge. I just don't see the difference - just my opinion. I have kept the batteries in my stored cars for the last two years, put on the charger the night before, and voila, they start.

The moral of the storage story is to be absolutely sure your location is dry, and by the way, lay a sheet of heavy duty plastic underneath your TBird as a precaution.

[Leroy]

Re: winter storage

WARNING! I wouldn't put Stabil or any other additives in the gas tank that contain alcohol. The rubber seals and gaskets in the fuel pumps and system will deteriorate from the alcohol. It would be like filling your tank with E-85. Leroy