Putting my 2014 Denali in Storage for 5 months..

mojo85 · January 17, 2014

Is there anything I need to do/know before I do so to make sure it fires up clean and easy when I pick it up in the spring? I'll be living in an area where I can't drive it to (The arctic) for 5 months so into storage she goes....

The storage location is unheated and will be from February to June/July so about 2-3 months of winter then into spring and summer. While there it won't be driven unless I somehow get some time off and able to get down to take it out for a week or so, but Im not counting on it.

Any prep tips?

diannabill · January 17, 2014

I would definitely put some fuel stabilizer in the tank and drive it for awhile to get that through the system, at least

dgrinnell · January 17, 2014

Make sure the fuel tank in full as that will keep condensation from forming

mojo85 · January 17, 2014

I would definitely put some fuel stabilizer in the tank and drive it for awhile to get that through the system, at least

That will be done.

Any other precautions or things to do?

mike-z71 · January 17, 2014

Battery tender couldn't hurt if you have electricity in storage.

TechSTL · January 17, 2014

Either battery tender or remove the battery completely. It wouldn't hurt to put it on jackstands to prevent the tires from getting flat spots.

soltys · January 17, 2014

Make sure the fuel tank in full as that will keep condensation from forming

I'm a believer of the opposite. I usually like the drain the tank as much as I can after putting stabilizer in. That way, if the gas does turn, you don't have a full tank of rotten fuel. And you get to start fresh in the spring. It's what I've done on all my summer and winter toys.

Since you're storing it in the winter, you might want to pull the battery. If it drains and ends up freezing, that only results in a pain in the ass.

bladz1454 · January 17, 2014

When you pull the battery, what resets inside the truck? Are their like codes and all that junk you need to put in to get your computer working again?

dgrinnell · January 17, 2014

Hate to be "that guy" but You have been doing it wrong... Every boat that Ive had every toy that Ive owned has always said in the owners book to fill the tank befor storing for over 30days. Here is a Edmuds link with some things you should think of. http://www.edmunds.com/car-care/how-to-prep-your-car-for-long-term-storage.html

I'm a believer of the opposite. I usually like the drain the tank as much as I can after putting stabilizer in. That way, if the gas does turn, you don't have a full tank of rotten fuel. And you get to start fresh in the spring. It's what I've done on all my summer and winter toys.

Since you're storing it in the winter, you might want to pull the battery. If it drains and ends up freezing, that only results in a pain in the ass.

GMC-AT · January 17, 2014

5 months isnt that long. maybe fill the tank and put in a fuel stabilizer. No need to get carried away. I bet the battery would be fine.

dgrinnell · January 17, 2014

Hate to be "that guy" but You have been doing it wrong... Every boat that Ive had every toy that Ive owned has always said in the owners book to fill the tank befor storing for over 30days. Here is a Edmuds link with some things you should think of. http://www.edmunds.com/car-care/how-to-prep-your-car-for-long-term-storage.html

I'm a believer of the opposite. I usually like the drain the tank as much as I can after putting stabilizer in. That way, if the gas does turn, you don't have a full tank of rotten fuel. And you get to start fresh in the spring. It's what I've done on all my summer and winter toys.

Since you're storing it in the winter, you might want to pull the battery. If it drains and ends up freezing, that only results in a pain in the ass.

soltys · January 17, 2014

Hate to be "that guy" but You have been doing it wrong... Every boat that Ive had every toy that Ive owned has always said in the owners book to fill the tank befor storing for over 30days. Here is a Edmuds link with some things you should think of. http://www.edmunds.com/car-care/how-to-prep-your-car-for-long-term-storage.html

"Hate to be "that guy"" but you'll just go ahead and be him anyways .. ..right.

Boats are stored in the winter. Fuel doesn't get affected as badly in the winter. It's in the heat that it starts to turn. He said he's pulling it out in June/July ... aka ... heat. Up here, in Canada, where I, as well as the poster are located, it's whats recommended by the dealers for our toys.

AaronIROCZ · January 17, 2014

I'm a believer of the opposite. I usually like the drain the tank as much as I can after putting stabilizer in. That way, if the gas does turn, you don't have a full tank of rotten fuel. And you get to start fresh in the spring. It's what I've done on all my summer and winter toys.

Since you're storing it in the winter, you might want to pull the battery. If it drains and ends up freezing, that only results in a pain in the ass.

Bad idea if you have a steel tank as it will get condensation on the exposed steel and rust it from the inside out, I found that out the hard way. Plastic tanks won't have the rusting problem but you could get water in your fuel.

dgrinnell · January 17, 2014

Being from the Northern region of the US and previously working in the Fuels Lab for GM I understand the heating of fuel will make it go bad faster, but during that time heating a cold liquid will create condensation and putting water in the fuel which will make it go bad and also create corrosion on fuel sender parts ect... He said he is putting it away in Feb. I imagine its cold in there during the winter months.

soltys · January 17, 2014

I'm not going to argue, we all have our own preferred methods. The fact he's doing anything, is better than what 75% of people do anyways when their parking a vehicle. Either way, it's 6 months, he won't have to worry about rusting a tank in that period time.