Uncovered winter storage?

[Laconian]

Hey guys,

With the temperatures hovering around 32 now, it looks like it's about time to retire the Miata for the winter.

I will be storing it at my parents' house, but I will not be able to stow it in the garage--it's for their cars! I bought a cloth car cover earlier this year that is made especially for Miatas with this in mind. I will be cleaning it inside and out, and I had the oil and filter replaced and the suspension bits greased today. What else should I do to prepare it for four months of hibernation?

[S204STi]

Air the tires up to max pressure marked on side of tire, maybe stuff a rag in the airbox ahead of the filter (where it goes into to fender) to keep rodents from making a home in your air cleaner box...maybe a bottle of fuel treatment, like winterizer or something...running out of ideas for now.

[Danish]

You may also want to disconnect the battery

[The Pirate]

Drive it periodically if you can, for the sake of the brakes and hoses, belts, etc.

[SaltyDog]

If you drop it off at my place I'll keep it warm.

[S204STi]

Oh yes, if you live in an area that will see sub-zero temps you may want to test the coolant freeze point to make sure it doesn't turn into green popsicle.

[The Pirate]

Oh yes, if you live in an area that will see sub-zero temps you may want to test the coolant freeze point to make sure it doesn't turn into green popsicle.

Hahah, funny you say that, I flushed my cooling system and took care of that today!

[JYODER240]

I have an extra heated garage space at my house if you want to drive it to Ohio.

[Rupert]

Hmm, yes, well, you see, I live an hour and a half away and I don't have a car... I'd be more than happy to do everything needed to keep it in perfect shape.

Why not drive it in the winter? As long as you don't move the top when it's really cold, everything will be A-OK. Miatas like to be driven!

[AutobahnSHO]

Besides the airbox I read on cartalk that they recommend plugging the exhaust, too.
They said that if you change the oil, then plug the intake and exhaust, there's no reason to change the oil when it comes out of storage.  They'd recommend unplugging the spark and cranking it 10-15 seconds (to let oil circulate slowly) though before the next start. (Like a year or so.)

[280Z Turbo]

Take the battery out and store it inside your house. That's what we do every year for the Vette and Z.

Also, you may want to dump in some fuel stabilizer.

[Pancor]

Hmmm...

Jack stands (no flat spots)
Fuel Stabilizer
Engine fog
Rag in the tailpipe and intake
Top up!

And don't let snow build up on the car! 

[JWC]

Around here, if you store a car for a few months, besides diconnecting the battery, install fuel stabilizer, and putting a cover on it,  mothballs around the engine compartment, trunk, interior, will keep rodents from making homes out of your car.

When I lived in the country, it was common to scatter mothballs under the house, at the edge of the yard, in barns etc.  Mothballs are especially good for keeping snakes away.

[TheIntrepid]

Around here, if you store a car for a few months, besides diconnecting the battery, install fuel stabilizer, and putting a cover on it, mothballs around the engine compartment, trunk, interior, will keep rodents from making homes out of your car.

When I lived in the country, it was common to scatter mothballs under the house, at the edge of the yard, in barns etc. Mothballs are especially good for keeping snakes away.

But they smell terrible and so will your car after a while.

[Rupert]

How's the snow in the Miata? You have to check it out!

[Laconian]

Snow is awesome, but melted snow and ice are the suck. The car goes all skittish at speed when it hits gigantic puddles. Maybe it's because my tires suck.

I hadn't heard about the mothballs before, that's a very good idea. I'll do the fuel stabilizers too. My hardtop will probably go a long ways towards saving my soft top from weather-related wear and tear.

What's funny is that another possibility has popped up within the past few days... a relationship with someone with an extra heated garage bay!

[280Z Turbo]

But they smell terrible and so will your car after a while.

Whenever I go to old car shows, it's easy to tell which guys used moth balls.

I guess those old farts really like to use 'em!

[Raza]

Hire an ex-carabinieri as a 24 hour armed guard. 

[L. ed foote]

What's funny is that another possibility has popped up within the past few days... a relationship with someone with an extra heated garage bay!

Then kick her to the curb when the weather gets warm 

[Laconian]

The Miata has a winter home in a heated garage now. Thanks for the tips anyways, guys. :)