Just looking for some input. I`ve searched and read quite a bit on "proper" storage methods. My deal is this, I`ve got an unheated 1 1/2 car garage so space is at a premium. I live in the heart of the friggin rust belt (Detroit) and I`m putting the 7 up for winter. The thing is I`ve got several other cars that will need maintenace etc during the winter so I thought I would do the following, change the oil and filter, fill the tank and add stabilizer, top off brake and power steering fluid and air all tires up to 50 psiand put a trickle charger on the battery. Coolant was flushed and filled this summer with 50/50 mix. Since I`m going to have to move the car out of the garage, not drive it, just back it out and let it run with the idle up at around 1200 to 1500 rpm for up to 20 or 25 minutes so it will fully warm up (or longer if recommended to get all crankcase moisture boiled off). I want to do the right thing for my 7 but I`m going to need to get the other cars inside from time to time. Is the above method going to be ok or am I going to cause more problems for myself.
TIA

 

You're not going to get it fully warmed up by idling it. Period. It doesn't create enough heat.

-=Russ=-

 

I'd think it would get fully warmed up from idling, but anyone is welcome to prove my wrong.

If you want to get hardcore about it, it might be better to put the car up on jack-stands to keep the tires off the ground, probably safer than cranking them to 50psi too. Also, I would take the battary out of the car and bring it inside inside where its warmer, just chuck it in your basement somewhere, but don't put it on the ground.

Its also a very good idea to put some oil in the engine(couple table spoons in each lower spark plug hole and turn it over a few times) to keep it lubed/keep the seals from drying out or sticking. If your planing on starting it up and letting it run every couple weeks it probably won't matter, but if its sitting for a few months, this would be smart. I'd reccomand 2-stroke oil as it won't make as much of a mess when you start the car up next spring.

 

i didn't know garages came in 1 1/2 sizes. mine gets warm when idling i have 50 50 in it

 

Nothing unsafe about 50 psi in a modern tire, in fact the Cooper Cobra tire I have is rated at 45psi max inflation. If I could leave the car in the garage all winter I`d put it on jackstands. As I stated in my original post , I`m gonna have to move my 7 outside at least a couple of times duriing the winter so I can work on other cars without being outside in a snowy, slushy,wet, driveway. This also makes taking the battery inside a PIA which is why the trickle charger would be used. I want to do the best I can for my 7 with what I`ve got to work with.

 

I have been storing my last two 7s during the winter for the pats 6 years the very same way. Only difference is I start and idle to normal operating temp once a week (move it back a bit so exhaust is outside) and with a slightly oversized garage vary the park position so the tires are not resting on same spot for 4 months. And yes, it does come up to normal operating temp in about 10 minutes or so. When the roads are dry and clear of snow melt, I also take it around the block a few times once or twice a month to get things moving.

 

You'll never get the car warm enough to burn off moisture and contaminates by idling. It needs to get nice and hot, and remain warm for 20 minutes at least. It also must experience changing vacuum to make sure all the purge circuits work properly. Idling will not achieve this.

If you are moving the car in and out of the garage, this is not storage. You can just change all the fluids, make sure the battery is nice and charged, and avoid flooding it. In the spring, change the oil again.

Also, lots of storage information in the FAQ, but you've probably already read it.