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Any tips for storing a 997 outside over winter

Neven

Silverstone
Joined
7 Feb 2024
Messages
143
It’s a little early in the year to actually store my car, but with all the wet weather we’ve had lately it’s got me thinking about good practices for storing the 997 over winter. Unfortunately I don’t have a garage and this will be the first winter of my ownership.

I will try and drive the car once a week where I’ll let the oil and coolant get fully up to temp, and the car will be connected to a CTEK MXS 5.0 trickle charger when not in use. The car will also be stored under a multi-layer outdoor cover.

What other measures do you folks take to prepare and store your 997s over the winter period?
 
I am not a fan of covers (having used good high tech ones in a car port for many years). They do tend to hold condensation on the car, while being open to the elements keeps everything well ventilated. If you do use a cover, take it off regularly during dry days if you can.
Also leave the handbrake off and car in gear.
Fuel and tyres are other issues. Some people advocate over inflation to reduce flat spotting while others (including at least one tyre manufacturer) say just stick with normal pressures. As for fuel: some advocate full tank to reduce risk of corrosion, others keep it empty so it will be fresh when filled in Spring.
Otherwise as you are doing.
Or Bilt Hamber UC the underside and drive it ;)
 
I actually had the chassis and arches dry ice cleaned and protected with Bilt Hamber earlier in the year :)

Thanks for the advice regarding the cover, fuel and tyre pressures.

Any thoughts on using dehumidifier pads in the cabin, or is that overkill? So far I haven’t noticed any leaks or damp patches but prevention of damp is my thinking. I also cleared the drainage holes in the front around the battery area and my car doesn’t have a sunroof so I think I’m good from that perspective.
 
If you mean outside i.e. where the rain/hail/frost/snow is then I suggest you buy a silverline large car cover circa £20 ish from ebay and cover the car when dry. I have used these covers for years on a former 996 and 997 when my garage was full of 'stuff'. The cover is waterproof and the underside is soft like a fleece so I have had not issues with scratched paintwork, and being a large size it fits well but allows air flow. The cover will last at most 18 months and then disintegrate but it kept my car snug and dry all winter.

As you say you intend to drive the car each week so you are not exactly hibernating it for the winter so I think my idea should 'cover' the winter starage needs.

I have just bought this years cover, but managed to borrow a neighbours space in an underground car park. At least the cover will keep the dust off until spring.
 
Make sure you keep the leaves off the car. The only time I'd use a car cover is an indoor one in my garage, and only because it looks cool. I wouldn't use an outdoor one due to condensation and chafing in the wind as mentioned already.
Make sure the drainage holes are clean and clear. If your drainage holes are clear, there isnt a need for a dehunidifier pad as you mentioned youll drivev it periodically. Wash, clay bar, Polish wax and hydrophobic sealant on the paintwork. That's about all you can do.
 
Do not overthink it, mate. Clean the car, polish it and put a good car cover it. The tequipment Porsche outdoor cover with the window for the rear number plate is good, weatherproof and does the job. On dry days and if you can be bothered, get the car out and drive it and put the cover back on when you get back.

After a while you can take the cover off and let the car breathe for a couple of weeks or so and then do it all over again. Plan for it to be covered when it’s snowing and if you have to drive on salted roads don’t worry about it; the previous owner before you probably did.

Once you’ve taken the cover off you’ll swear that it has been marked or whatever. Most likely it hasn’t so don’t worry about it. The car is nearly 20 years old and Porsche paintwork is good.

Yes keep it on a CTEK, but it doesn’t have to be permanently on trickle charge. You can leave it for a couple of days and then switch it back on. But don’t leave it for too long. I switch mine on at night time and switch it off during the day, not to try and save electricity just to give it a break.

I’ve got 2 covers, 2 x CTEK charges and a half cover. The lot. One of my neighbours that owns a Cab has nothing and has left his out in all weathers for 5 plus years. When it’s polished up it looks perfect, blemish free.
 
+1 with the carcoon. I have the framed version inside my garage from which you can drive in drive out. If you have a driveway then the regular bubble carcoon is probably your best option (as that one is designed to be exposed to the elements). A bit of a fiddle for the occasional drive but at least the car is completely protected when not being used
 
If you're going to be driving it, then you can just drive it as normal right? No specific measures, just a quick clean every now and then followed by a proper clean in spring!
 
ill be doing the same this winter and plan on lanoguarding the underside and just a good weekly cleaning schedule. don't like the idea of covers so lots of maintenance and keeping it clean is in order!
 
If you mean outside i.e. where the rain/hail/frost/snow is then I suggest you buy a silverline large car cover circa £20 ish from ebay and cover the car when dry. I have used these covers for years on a former 996 and 997 when my garage was full of 'stuff'. The cover is waterproof and the underside is soft like a fleece so I have had not issues with scratched paintwork, and being a large size it fits well but allows air flow. The cover will last at most 18 months and then disintegrate but it kept my car snug and dry all winter.

As you say you intend to drive the car each week so you are not exactly hibernating it for the winter so I think my idea should 'cover' the winter starage needs.

I have just bought this years cover, but managed to borrow a neighbours space in an underground car park. At least the cover will keep the dust off until spring.

I bought a Stormforce 4 layer cover when I bought the car back in Feb 2024 so I'll be using that. Its a decent cover and is fleece lined.
 
Make sure you keep the leaves off the car. The only time I'd use a car cover is an indoor one in my garage, and only because it looks cool. I wouldn't use an outdoor one due to condensation and chafing in the wind as mentioned already.
Make sure the drainage holes are clean and clear. If your drainage holes are clear, there isnt a need for a dehunidifier pad as you mentioned youll drivev it periodically. Wash, clay bar, Polish wax and hydrophobic sealant on the paintwork. That's about all you can do.
Leaves are the least of my issues. Next door's cat has decided that sitting on the roof on my 911 is en vogue 😠
 
Have mine in a carcoon for a few years
Dean

+1 with the carcoon. I have the framed version inside my garage from which you can drive in drive out. If you have a driveway then the regular bubble carcoon is probably your best option (as that one is designed to be exposed to the elements). A bit of a fiddle for the occasional drive but at least the car is completely protected when not being used

Car cocoon is not really an option as it won't pass the wife acceptance factor for outside the front of the house 🫣
 
Polished the paintwork with Soft99 Fusso Coat earlier today. Hopefully that is decent polish protection for over winter...

1728853655491.png

Also I've ordered one of these to stick in the passenger footwell when the car is not being used as an extra precaution. Don't know yet if it's any good.

 
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