5th & 6th Generation (2002-2006 & 2007-2011)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 2002-2006 & 2007-2011
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Well i picked up a 2004 Honda Accord Ex for myself no more driving my parents car BUT i will still be apart of this forum and taking care of the camry.
Since my parents drive their work van around the camry is free the majority of the time (Thats why i drove it pretty much 99% of the time) but my dad wants to keep it in the garage in the winter so pretty much the accord is the winter beater? . He wants to make the car last.
Anyone have any tips on storing a car in the winter? im planning to wash the outside+wax and clean the interior. Put a car cover on it.
oh yeah i forgot i should fill up the gas tank and i was told to put some additive type of thing in it? not sure maybe you guys can help me out on this part.
Should i put the e brake on ? should i put it on jack stands? should i start it every week or just leave it all winter?
If anyone can help it would be greatly appreciated.
If you have jack stands go ahead and use them. Yes, have the tank rather full but not too much so that the charcoal becomes saturated. Start the car weekly and let it get up to temperature. Run the air conditioner/defroster enough to get refrigerant flowing and keep everything lubricated. Exercise the turn signals a couple of times to keep the contacts from oxidizing. If it is in a garage there is no need for a car cover. it would only serve to hold moisture in and resut in mold and odors.
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2007 V6 Camry LE, Built TMMK 27 September 06
"People who think they know it all are particularly irritating to those of us who do."
DO NOT run the vehicle every week. You will do more damage than good. There is no reason to start the car and let moisture and condensation build up and not be able to burn off by driving the vehicle.
Change the oil and filter so that all the moisture and acids that accumulate normally won't be sitting in the engine all winter.
Clean the car thoroughly as you stated, top off all of the fluids, fill it with fuel, add StaBil to the fuel also. Air the tires to maximum inflation. DO NOT put the vehicle on jack stands! The vehicle will deflect if you put it on jack stands. The weight of the vehicle should be on the wheels and tires.
DO NOT run the vehicle every week. You will do more damage than good. There is no reason to start the car and let moisture and condensation build up and not be able to burn off by driving the vehicle.
Change the oil and filter so that all the moisture and acids that accumulate normally won't be sitting in the engine all winter.
Clean the car thoroughly as you stated, top off all of the fluids, fill it with fuel, add StaBil to the fuel also. Air the tires to maximum inflation. DO NOT put the vehicle on jack stands! The vehicle will deflect if you put it on jack stands. The weight of the vehicle should be on the wheels and tires.
when i say run i mean to actually drive it.. no car deserves to be left all alone in a garage all winter lol cars are meant to be driven!
-ashed it, and waxed it.
-hanged the oil and filter with some cheap walmart oil.
-opped off the rest of the fluids.
-Its sitting on jack stands. A few months with a new car is not going to deflect it. Putting it on the stands avoids flat spots on the tires.
-Disconnected the battery, and pulled it out of the car. If your garage is heated like mine, keep it in the garage, if not, bring it in the house, and just put it in a closet where it won't freeze.
-Filled the gas tank to the top, added a bottle of sta-bil, and ran the car a few miles.
-It's not under a cover.
-Once its stored, it's stored. I won't even look at it until spring. Well, I'll look at it, but I won't start it, open it up, nothing.... It's like a tomb in there until at least March.
In the spring, drive it a few miles (like less than 10) and then drain and refill with whatever oil you like. This is how I've always stored cars for the winter, and it's worked for me.
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'94 Camry LE. IDK, that minty green color that looks silver in a pic, until you see the car, and it's actually green.
Last edited by 02whiteLE; 11-21-2007 at 01:28 PM.
Reason: spring time
The reasoning behind jack stands is to prevent flat spots in the tires. That isn't a concern when the tires are inflated to the max pressure and the vehicle is stored for less than 12 months.
I would much rather have to work out flat spots on my tires than have the vehicle distorted for months.
Have you noticed that collectors don't put cars on jack stands?
Have you ever lifted a car on a hoist and opened and closed the doors?
If I was storing it for the 5-6 winter months, Id wash/wax it, pull the plugs and squirt a quick shot of fogging oil in all 4 cylinders then re-install the plugs, fill the fuel tank and add StaBil, and park it under a cover.
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2005 Lexus ES330
2007 Camry SE V-6 Titanium(SOLD)
Moonroof, Navi, Sport Leather, Floor Mats, Phillips 4300k HID, 15% Tint, Silverstar Turn signals “My friends call me ‘The Cane.’ Even before I messed up my leg.” ~Dr. Gregory house
wow thanks for the info guys. Yes sorry to mention that i will be storing the car untill at least march or april.
TRD what exactly is a battery tender? I was just thinking of disconnecting the negative from the battery.
Also do i REALLY have to change the oil? I just changed it with some Mobil 1 about 2000 km's ago and i usually change my oil at 10 000. I think that would just be waste? (mobil 1 isnt the cheapest oil either :S). What do you guys think
wow thanks for the info guys. Yes sorry to mention that i will be storing the car untill at least march or april.
TRD what exactly is a battery tender? I was just thinking of disconnecting the negative from the battery.
Also do i REALLY have to change the oil? I just changed it with some Mobil 1 about 2000 km's ago and i usually change my oil at 10 000. I think that would just be waste? (mobil 1 isnt the cheapest oil either :S). What do you guys think
Your fine on the oil change.
A battery tender is basically like a trickle charger, it keeps a constant, very slow charge going to the battery.
__________________ Your source for Gen6 TSX Retro's (PM for details)
2005 Lexus ES330
2007 Camry SE V-6 Titanium(SOLD)
Moonroof, Navi, Sport Leather, Floor Mats, Phillips 4300k HID, 15% Tint, Silverstar Turn signals “My friends call me ‘The Cane.’ Even before I messed up my leg.” ~Dr. Gregory house
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Storing the camry
no more driving my parents car BUT i will still be apart of this forum and taking care of the camry. 
. He wants to make the car last.
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