Hi everyone, winter will be here before I know it and I plan on storing my Z in my garage when the snow flies.

Question - has anyone experienced irreversible "flatspotting" on their tires when they have stored their car for extended periods of time? Do you have any tips to prevent flatspotting from happening?

I too my 19's off the Z a couple weeks ago when a tire blew. I have my replacment rubber now, but to avoid having incurring flatspots on brand new Michelin Pilot A/S's I think I'm going to keep my OEM 18's/rubber on the car during the winter months just in case flatspotting happens.

My apologies if this is a dumb question...but I've never stored a car before and so I don't have any firsthand experience.

Thanks all.

BMC

 

Hey BMC, I've stored cars for the past 15 years and for a number of years way before then. I've not had an issue with flat spotting other than with the old nylon belted non radial tires from many years ago.

It's recommended to inflate them to about 40-42 psi and if you can roll forward/backward the car every month or two to change the tires position. Most times I haven't and had no problems.

I think I did a post here somewhere on storage procedures. If I can find it I'll post up.

 

Thanks so much! I attempted a search but perhaps I'll "storage procedures" to my keywords. Cheers.

 

I couldn't find the one I made with detailed procedures but here is a brief description.
https://g35driver.com/forums/canada/38644-how-many-canadians-store-their-car.html

I have the detailed one in Word and will try to pm you with it.

 

Basic Winter Storage TIp:

1- Go to canadian tire to pick up fuel stablelizer and to inflate your tires with Nitrogen.

2- You can also pick up some foam pads the one where you insulate the walls with. and place it under each tires. This way it will seperate from the pavement.

3- Disconnect the battery terminal

4- baking powder in the cabin to prevent mold to build up.

5- If you can start the car like once a month for 5 mins

6- If you have a dust cover use it.

7 change your oil if you can

8 fill the tank with gas


That's all I can think of

 

My service manager recommended not to use fuel stabilizer, which I don't. I was told the fuel systems in our cars are extremely well sealed and that because there are so many different brands/formulations Infiniti cannot test them to ensure they are so safe so therefore doesn't recommend one. Note BMW states in their storage recomendations not to use it either.

While there might be some debate over this, professionals I've read don't recommend starting and running the vehicle for 5 minutes periodically which is what I practice. Cold start ups are the main reason for engine wear and in 5 minutes of idling you're putting a lot of unwanted moisture into the engine and exhaust system with no benefits otherwise.

Definitely change the oil and top up the fuel tank.

 

i flat spotted a set of tires on my 300ztt over a period of 9 months. if you are going to garage it or are in a secured area, you can get a quality set of jackstand for around $60 and keep your car off the ground.

 

can you explain what you mean by"over a period of mine months"

 

+1.....same with me....no issues in recent years, BMC....ONly the most **** will raise the wheels off the ground now.... I don't bother.
All I do is raise tire pressure slightly, and if you can, get the air replaced with Nitrogen. (free at most Costcos). That will help reduce any oxidation in the air cavity.

During winter months I like to occasoinally start the car and possibly drive it a short distance if the weather cooperates to lubricate engine internals, and exercise the suspension and tires somewhat.

Colin.

 

Deane, please ignore my question in my PM reply to you. You addressed it with this post. Thanks again.

Thanks to everyone else for their suggestions.

 

I know it's not recommended to raise the wheels so the suspension is hanging. That is very hard on the suspension so there has to be some amount of weight left on the wheels.

 

^+1.. 1000000000000000000000000000000%
This the absolute worste thing you can do to a car in storage.
There are tons of artilces out there....
This isn't bad porschenet.com

 

Wholeheartedly agree......probably the worst thing you can do to an engine, that's why mine gets prewarmed with the block heater for 2 hrs, then driven for half an hour (weather permitting).

C.

 

Great method Colin.

 

blockheater + battery tender <------------


What you should also do is do an oil change before you start the car at all (if it's been sitting for a LONG time).

I store mine for about 3-4 months a year, it's kept outside behind the house. No car cover. (I'm not a big fan of car covers, they trade moisture and particles). The huge mound of snow that covers the whole car is good enough for protection!

I don't think flatspotted occurs are often anymore. It won't happen unless you keep the car parked for a very extended amount of time.I would suggest putting some type of carpet or foam as someone as recommended between the contact patch and the ground.

Make sure you do a complete wash/wax. Coat the paint and put a nice wet layer of tire shine on the tires. The tires tend to get white from the dry winters! If you have time condition the seats.

Baking soda is a must!

I usually do an oil change before I store it, and I do an oil change right after winter, this year I'm going to do all the fluids also.

Car is only driven mostly on weekends and stored for the winter.

Many people have said to start the car for x amount of minutes etc. I believe in this method, but I would rather DRIVE off the carb build up etc if I were to start the car up. Another plus on this is relubing upon startup.