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Porsche 997: Storing Your Porsche for Winter

Learn about preparing your beloved Porsche for a cold, messy winter.

By William Henderson - March 31, 2015

This article applies to the Porsche 997 (2005-2012).

If you’re one of the lucky Porsche owners who lives in a climate where you can drive year-round, or if you’re willing to put on winter tires, then you likely don’t need to know how to prepare your Porsche for the winter. But if you live in a climate where winter means inches – if not feet – of snow, slush, and road salt, then you’re likely planning to garage your ride, at least during the worst of the season. Before you do, taking a few preventive measures can keep your car in tip top shape and ready come spring. At the very least, consider cleaning your car inside and out before storing it for winter, and, if you want to save a few hundred dollars, consider calling your insurance company, reducing your coverage, and removing liability coverage. There’s no point in paying for something you won’t need.

Fill It Up

Fill up your gas tank. A full tank helps prevent condensation and water from building up, which is common in cars that sit idle over several months. Some Porsche owners recommend adding a fuel additive or stabilizer, though this may just be for peace of mind. If you decide to add an additive, do it before you fill up your tank and then drive for a few miles. This will help circulate the additive throughout your entire fuel system.

Figure 1. Be sure to fill up your gas tank before storing your car for the winter.

Check Tire Pressure

Inflate your tires to just north of the recommended driving pressure but not more than the recommended capacity. Anecdotally, tires can lose 1 psi per month under normal conditions and an additional 1 psi for every 10 degree drop in temperature. Check your tires and add air when your tires are cold. If you don’t, you may not get an accurate reading, and you may end up with flat spots. Your tires should be inflated to about 50 psi.

Figure 2. Inflate your tires to around 50 psi.

Check and Top Off Anti-Freeze

You should check and top off all of the fluids in your car before storing it for winter, but you should pay special attention to your engine coolant and anti-freeze. After topping off, run the car for a few minutes, which will help circulate the fluids throughout your engine block. Forget to do this or even top off your fluids and you risk plunging temperatures, negatively affecting your engine.

Figure 3. Of all the fluids you can check and top off, anti-freeze is the most important.

Disconnect the Battery or Attach a Trickle Charger

Before storing your car for the winter, remove your battery or disconnect it. Leave your battery in and attached and you risk it losing its charge or dying during the winter. Replacing your battery every spring is not an inexpensive proposition. Never just turn on your car every month and let it run long enough to charge your battery. Condensation will collect or develop in your motor, which can damage it.

Figure 4. Disconnect or remove your battery before storing your car for the winter, or attach it to a trickle charger.

Cover It

No matter where you plan to store your ride – in your garage, driveway, or other location – consider covering it before saying goodbye for the winter. Covering your ride helps prevent it from damage, such as by someone bumping into it. If you're storing it outside, covering it keeps snow and ice from collecting on it. Even if you're storing it in your garage, covering it is just one more step you can take to help your Porsche weather the winter unscathed. When covering your car, be sure to cover your exhaust pipes. If you opt not to cover your ride, consider covering at least your exhaust pipes because rats, mice, other types of rodents, and bugs may decide to hole up in your car for the winter.

Figure 5. Cover your car before saying goodbye to it for the winter.

What to Do Come Spring

Winterizing your ride means that come spring, all you’ll need to do is replace or reconnect the battery and you’ll be ready to go. Of course, some Porsche owners also change their oil and oil filter after the winter, which will help remove any condensation that built up over the winter.

(Related Article: Porsche 997: How to Change Your Oil - Rennlist.com)

Common Questions

Should I engage the parking brake?

This is up to you, really. Some people swear by it, insisting that this makes sure your Porsche won’t go anywhere without you in it. Other people worry that engaging the parking brake during the winter increases the likelihood that it will freeze in place, or negatively affect your car’s overall braking system.

It’s warm today. Should I uncover my car and go for a ride?

Once you’ve winterized your car, you should leave it parked until you’re ready to drive it more regularly. Taking it out even for just a couple of hours can undo all of the work you did preparing your car for winter. Besides, it’ll just make parking your car and storing it again that much harder. It's better to prepare it for winter and leave it until spring.

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