I have stored a few cars over winter and used them sparingly between the months of Nov - April. You have already touched on the basics, but it might be useful to put them it into a few simple points for future reference.
1) If its a tight fit its worth putting some padding down the side/front of garage walls to minimise damage. You can go the expensive route and purchase moulded rubber stoppers/guards or a simple cheap option, especially for the side of the garage to minimise door dings is to use strips of old carpet glued to the wall with somthing like ‘ no more nails ‘ ! Works a treat !. There is always that tool or kids toy that you or another family member needs to retrieve from the far end, and you dont want to put silly marks / scuffs / dents on the car... been there got the T-shirt !
2) Ensure its clean and dry prior to long term storage in your garage. Cover the car if possible in a breathable cover ( Halfords sell half decent items for circa £30) - Cheaper option is to use old bed sheets- they are light and soft and breathable ! . Just make sure they dont touch the floor. This will help keep the car clean and dust free for when you do use the car later on.
3) Trickle charger for the battery -Something like Ctek MXS -5 item is a gem. But anything that works for our type of batteries would be fine. Ie Start/Stop battery charger
4) Fill the petrol tank to the top ( ie brim it)
5) Do NOT put the handbrake on, leave it in Neutral / Park if Auto. Use blocks behind the wheels if your garage is not flat.
6) You dont need to change the oil/filters etc if you are regularly starting the car, however if its a true winter storage and the car will not be touched for 6 months its well worth a service so that no contaiments will settle in the engine. ( These are normally suspensed in the oil ! )
7) Tyres - Ensure these are at the correct pressure for the car before storage. If you can start the car and move it slightly that will help with flat spots, but if its short term storage its less of a problem in reality. Especially if you can take the car for a spin around the block on a dry winters day every now and then. Another alternative if the car truly is off the road for 6 months is to raise it on stands so the car is off the ground. But in a single garage thats not easy or practical to do.
8) Windows - Leave a very small gap to allow ventilation
If anyone has anything else to add, just make additions to the list. This might be a useful future thread.
Regds
Jungle
