I apologize for the length… 
So the time has come for me to face reality… the sunshine doesn’t last all winter here like it does in California, so I need to start thinking about storing baby Sally for winter.
I’m moving into a new place that has a garage in two weeks, so at least I don’t need to have it stored someplace else. Since I’ve never stored a vehicle I’ve been doing some research on what I should do to prep the car. Obviously this is still at least a month out but I want to begin thinking about it now. Here’s what I’ve read, and some questions I’ve come up with. Any and all help is greatly appreciated!
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Make sure the garage is dry. I’m not sure what I should do if it turns out not to be dry… I obviously don’t want her sitting in wet air slowly rusting. Should I run a dehumidifier, even though I can see that getting pretty costly…?
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Add a fuel stabilizing additive to the gas, and fill the tank. Any suggestions on a brand? Does it even matter if I get a certain brand versus a cheaper version? I don’t like the idea of guess and hope for the best.
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Change the oil (thank you, Porsche, for making me use 10 quarts everytime I change the oil :roll: ). Should I go ahead and switch from 15w-50 down? Last winter (which was my first snowy, non-California winter) was only “mild” according to most people I talked to here in Rochester… Do winter temps here typically stay below 32F? If so, then I’d maybe go down to 5w-30… but if they generally stay between 32 and 50F, then I’d go to 10w-30. Does it even matter if I’m not actually running the vehicle? I’d, of course, run the vehicle for a short amount of time to make sure the new oil gets circulated.
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Put the car up on jacks to relieve pressure from the tires. Then I read another website (here) that said this was bad given that with modern independent suspension it’s not good to leave the suspension “unsprung.” Instead, they suggest upping the psi to 40-45 (since it will drop with the temperature), which will prevent flatspotting and leaks. I don’t have a clue which of these is best (in general, or for my vehicle specifically).
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Wash and wax the car, wheels and interior really well.
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Disconnect the battery. A Porsche specific website had this to say about removing the battery altogether: [size=2]"[/size]It should be pointed out that in many of the newer Porsche’s (such as 993’s) you may end up disabling the security access code if you remove the battery. You may in fact need to leave the car unlocked so you can get back into it, and may need to have the security code reprogrammed (by a dealer service center). Yikes! It may be better for those cars to leave the battery installed and make sure you have it on a trickle charger." Should I use a trickle charge to protect the battery while it’s still in the car?
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Cover the vehicle with a car cover and make sure the tires are protected from the sun.
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Park on a plastic/vinyl sheet and put cardboard underneath the vehicle to catch any extra moisture.
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I read many places that it is NOT recommended to start the car every once and a while, because that will create moisture in the exhaust, which will remain there and possibly rust.
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Several websites have suggested either removing the spark plugs, or loosening the plugs and shooting either fogger oil or motor oil into the holes to prevent corrosion. I’ve also read it’s a good idea to squirt WD-40 into the cylinders and air intakes, then turning the engine over a few times with a wrench (and repeat this every three months). It’s a major PITA for me to get to my spark plugs. I’m not 100% sure, but we think I might have to drop the engine to get to them. Is doing all this really necessary? Please say no, please say no, please say no…
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Store desiccants in the car to prevent mildew and keep leather from deteriorating. I had to look up desiccants, but this seems like a good idea?
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Check antifreeze to be sure it’s appropriate for estimated temps.
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Release seats so that the backs are as far forward as possible… since they use springs and springs do have a memory. This is anal, but I figured since I read it, I’d throw it in here too. Couldn’t hurt, right? Wait, I have electric back seats. I have no idea if they still use springs… I feel like an idiot for not knowing that.
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Cover openings, such as the exhaust to keep moisture/rodents/etc. out.
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Bleed brake fluid.
an OILY rag in the tail pipes is good, it reduces the chances of (surface) rust and the oil should also discourage a rat from pulling it out to use as a nest material. also totally overkill though, me, I wouldn’t bother.