duckvett

I would like to reprint some of your best winter storage tips in our club newsletter. We are lucky in that we can drive our Corvettes on rare occasions during the winter months, but for those who put their Corvette in "deep hibernation", I would like to give them some ideas on how to best store it over the winter. You will be credited in the article with your forum name and city listed. Thank You! :cheers:

TAC

Put a battery tender or "smart" charger on the battery. Don't use a trickle charger as they can fry the battery.

Change oil and top off all fluids.

Fill tires to MAX tire pressure, not driving pressure. This helps avoid flatspots. There are curved tire cradles that help that as well. Many people don't recommend jacking the car up cause that puts undue strain on some components.

For convertibles store with the top up and latched properly.

Put a Dryz Air or other moisture prevention device in car with windows cracked 1" for air flow.

Thoroughly clean interior.

Once put away do NOT start engine "to get things running" until it's time to drive. It takes a good 20 minutes of driving time to thoroughly warm up the car and all components. If you just start the engine and let it run a few minutes the engine will not be a uniform temp which can lead to condensation inside as it cools.

That's a good start.

Stv50

duckvett,

Don't have a good answer for you being here in Texas. I can drive almost year round. Just wanted to say nice Vette!!! Not that I am partial or anything. :lol:

Getaway

*thoroughly clean car exterior and apply polish
*cover with NOAH car cover
*stuff rags in tailpipes (keeps critters out)
*treat leather with conditioner
*clean carpets
*remove battery and store indoors
*change oil & filter
*apply dielectric grease (or Zaino tire protectant) to all hoses and weatherstripping
*check radiator coolant (change if not done in last 2 years)
*spray metal in engine compartment with WD-40 to avoid rust
*store ONLY on cement or asphault (no ground ala Earth)
*Put moisture gathering pellets in a couple bowls inside cabin
*lube door hinges, hood hinges, hood release cable
*apply coat of wax to aluminum engine parts to slow oxidation
*Use Sta-Bil in a FULL tank of gas prior to storage (run car to get Sta-Bil through entire system
*Place couple bars of Irish Spring Bath soap in cabin (no critters & good smell)
*Apply belt lube to belt

And then there are the 'smart' things to do for hassel-free driving in the spring:

*replace wiper blades
*replace brake, clutch, tranny, rear end, power steering fluids
*replace fuel filter
*inspect and replace hoses where needed
*replace air filter (clean the K&N)
*clean the area behind the radiator and under the shroud of debris
*make a list of all the things you want to do to the car next spring :p:
*have a spare key made

djpearn

Park the car on 4 panels of 2" thick Styro-Foam SM blue house insulation. Make them 1' x 2' and bevel one end so you can drive up on them. Put the tires up to max pressure. The panels will take on the curvature of the tire so you dont get flat spots. This is WAY easier than jacking up the car.
Make sure the window washer fluid is not just water or you could ruin your sprayer pump.

SLICKMAN

1) Clean and polish Car
2) cover with car cover
3) Clean condition leather
4) setup float or smart charger for battery
5) change oil & filter
6) condition all weatherstripping
7) check all fluids
8) Put moisture pellet bags in car
9) Put a container of stabilizer in full tank of gas
10) Replace brake fluid in Reservoir
11) Put carpet under car to stop the rising of moisture
12) Put 12x12 pieces of 2 inch foam under each wheel to help prevent flat spots
13) Start car once each month and run to operating temp.

Option to # 13 above - put three squirts of oil in each cyl, replace plugs, rotate engine once and do not start till spring.

I start my car each month, it gives me the opportunity to move it and get things moving around. I don't like having ir sit around for three or four month and not run. Having internal engine components not get lubrication for that time, I dont feel is a good thing.


[Modified by 1991C4, 10:22 PM 11/24/2001]


[Modified by 1991C4, 10:23 PM 11/24/2001]

Mr Mojo

I don't store my vehicle, but a few things I do that may help.

Buy some crap tires and an extra set of wheels. Take off your good wheels and tires and put teh crap ones on. You don't have to worry about flat spots because they are crap tires you will never drive on.

While the good wheels are off, you can do a thorough cleaning of the back side.

I rotate my wheels and tires on my truck with the change of seasons. I store them inmy attic on their side stacked on top of one another. I've never had a problem yet, been doing this for the last 10 years.

My other car which has been sitting for 6 years has four flat tires and it's on four jack stands. If the car is stored outside, elevating the car doesn't help for flat spots since the sun will kill them anyway.

EtidW

1) Clean Car
2) Fill the gas tank this will prevent condensation.
3) Add methanol to gas to absorbe any water that is condensed.
4) Disconnect the battery
5) Change the oil if you will operate the car in the spring before changing the oil.
6) Do Not run the car until it goes out for the first time in the spring. It will take at least 30+ minutes (at road speed) to get the exhaust up to temperature. Anything less will cause condensation.
7) Use moisture absorbant bags placed in the interior.
8) Open box of backing soda for odors.
9) Cover
10) This part is important. Kiss goodbye till spring.

stavanger

http://corvetteactioncenter.com/tech/storage.html

duckvett

Thanks for all your great storage tips. Especially ETID's #10! Looks like I may have to use a full page rather than the quarter page I was planning!

I have lots of projects to keep me busy this winter, but I'll still miss driving the Corvette :sad:

scottkorczynski

You can also add a few strategically placed mouse traps to your list. My car has been in storage (garage in suburbia) for about 1 month and already some rodent has tried to make my engine compartment his winter home. :mad