Jack stands for winter storage?

[garz747]

I haven't in the past but recently read that Michelin recommends raising your car on to ja ckstands for winter storage. I have 1pr and can easily buy a second. Do most forum members bother to?

[Murf the Surf]

I think this was a thing when bias ply tires were the norm. There are all kinds of opinions about winter storage of cars. I'm of the view that I use a good fuel stabilizer with a full tank, a good battery tender and possibly a car cover. If you're concerned about your tires maybe add some air pressure to reduce the chances of flat spots or just move the car a few feet forward or back every week or so. I suspect there will be folks who will jump on here with a long list of the things you must do. I have always had a summer toy car and have always wintered stored like this and I don't think any have suffered for it.

[grannyknot]

Putting the car on jack stands so the tires are off the ground puts undue stress on other parts of the suspension system, rubber bushings and some times flexible brake hoses.
If flat spotting happens it generally takes only a couple of miles to warm the tire up and it's back to normal, extra air pressure in the tires will work just fine as long as you remember to release that extra pressure before your first drive.

[Sergio19]

I pump my tires up to 45PSI and park the car on carpet squares. Zero flat spots after many years of winter storage.

As for battery, the best thing to do is charge it full then disconnect it from the car and leave it open circuit. Charge it back to full again before reconnecting in the spring. Its a couple extra minutes of work in the trunk but worth it you will easily get 7-10 years out of your battery this way.

[Squidd99]

Over the past 15 years I have had a convertible (a Lexus SC and now a Z4) that I stored for the winter, and I have done only the three things that Murf from Canada mentions in his post above: "a good fuel stabilizer with a full tank, a good battery tender and possibly a car cover." (That might be 4 things.)
I've never had a problem with the tires, and even after sitting for 6 months or so, the car starts right up and drives away smoothly. Jack stands for winter storage seems like overdoing it a bit.

[Huz-Z]

My procedure for east coast Canada:

Wash and wax
Interior vacuum and clean
Leather conditioner for the seats
Full gas tank
Add 5 or so extra pounds to the tires
Battery tender
Cover the car in the garage
Pray for an easy winter and an early spring.

[Steeler]

To each their own.

Always put mine on jack stands for winter storage. Wheels removed for thorough clean and storage.
Most winters I spend a bit of time cleaning the suspension bits and wheel liners, which obviously cannot be done with wheels on.

My wife thinks I'm nuts. I call it pride of ownership.

[Michael9218]

Winter storage?

[pungo]

I wouldn't let the wheels hang in the air due to stressing the rubber suspension bushings in positions beyond normal for an extended period of time. They make curved platform/cradles to drive onto to reduce flat spotting and get the tires off the cold concrete.