Cold Weather Storage

[71Beige280SL]

Many of us in the Eastern half of the United States are experiencing and incredibly cold winter. As an example, it was 11 degrees F below zero Tuesday morning in Cincinnati. Bitterly cold! Unfortunately, my garage, where I store my Pagoda, is not heated but, since it is connected to the house the temperature doesn't usually get too bad. However, given the bitter cold, my garage has been well below 32 degrees F. We all know bitter cold can have a negative impact on our vintage cars. Should I get a space heater for the garage? I am concerned about the risks of kerosene. My car is covered. As such, I even thought of throwing an electric blanket over the hood to keep the engine compartment at a reasonable temp.

Am I over reacting? What do you all suggest?

[thelews]

what's the negative effect of cold on a sheltered car?

[Bonnyboy]

Kerosene will create moisture - a small electric space heater may be better, but if you don't touch your car until it warms up it should be fine.

[hauser]

From what I've been told, cold is okay as long as it is dry.

[Flyair]

so in fact the wise idea would be to installa dehumidifier instead...

[mdsalemi]

For what it's worth, I've stored my car in an unheated garage for anywhere from 4-6 months during late fall to early spring…each year since restoration for about 13 years. I wash the car before storage, fill the tank and add StaBil. I do nothing to the battery, nothing for heating. Dehumidification makes no sense in the dry winter air here.

I suppose that a temperate, room temperature garage might be better, such as those "climate controlled" storage facilities, but I don't want to pay hundreds of dollars a month for storage.

While some of those ancillary things such as a battery tender, dehumidifier (wouldn't work in this climate for winter storage) or an auxiliary heater all have their place, I don't have a comfort level with anything plugged in and unattended in a distant garage that nobody goes to for months at a time. If the garage were my normal home, that's different.

I don't believe my car has suffered any ill effects from storage. Starts right up every time, even if it's been 6 months.

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

Hello 71Beige280SL ,

My garage is also attached to my house, however, well insulated. Therefore it never drops below 32 F (only when the door is open and I drive my DD in and out). Our temperatures are a bit colder up north here this winter as you say has been very cold. With the wind shill added we have ranged in the -35 C (-31) to -40 C (-40 F) this winter.

I agree with what others said above. I think you can perhaps see what you can do to further insulate your garage. I don't believe in heating the garage since it would harm your DD (if sharing the same garage). Heating a garage that has a winter daily driver is not a good idea in my book.

[Jonny B]

You should have no issues with this. One item to consider is to put a plastic sheet under the car to protect from any moisture migration from the concrete. Otherwise, there has been quite a lot typed about on the site regarding winter storage, as Mike types, full tank, fuel stabilizer, a bit more pressure in the tires, cover the openings and dig it out in the spring.

[71Beige280SL]

Thanks for the sage advice.

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

Good point Jonny,

I have three of the rubber garage mats on the floor of my oversized doubble garage. Got them at COSTCO some 6 years ago, easy to clean. They come in a roll 6' x 20' I believe (if my memory serves me right) they do the job for me. A sample photo below.

[thelews]

Thanks for the sage advice.

What did you think the problem would be?

[71Beige280SL]

thelews,

A number of my friends have vintage cars and keep their garages at 50 degrees F at a minimum in winter. They have been beating me about the head and shoulders to do the same. The concern is humidity as well as cold causing the seals and gaskets to contract and harden...hence leaks. Also battery issues. I have had my Pagoda since 2011 and not experienced any difficulties. This however, has been an extreme winter. I want to do all that is necessary to care for my car.  I am not worried about moisture issues with the concrete as I have had a floor installed over the slab. See attached photo.

Net, net...I will leave well enough alone.

Thanks to all.