My 81 vette will be stored in my garage for the winter season. Should i jack it up and put it on jack stands? What is a battery buddy and where do i get one. Thanks.

007

 

There are many opinions about how an owner should store their car for the winter.

Even here in Alabama I store a couple of my cars over the winter and I do the same thing with them now as i did when when I lived up north.

Drive the fuel level down to 1/4 tank and add some Sta-Bil, although it is not necessary to leave the fuel level at any particular level.

Inflate the tires to 45 psi. If your storage area is damp, drive the tires on to pieces of plywood. You can also pay down some heavy plastic to keep moisture to a minimum under the car.

Purchase a battery tender or some similar battery monitor. Do not leave a trickly charger on the battery as the constant charging will damage it.

Cover the car with a lightweight indoor cover, or use bedsheets, etc. Say "Good Night" to it, let it be until Spring rolls around, and enjoy winter activities.

It doesn't do much good to start it up on a regular basis unless you take the car out and drive it long enough for all fliuds to reach operating temps. Just running the engine for tweenty minutes does nothing.

These are the steps I've taken for the 30+ years I;ve beens toring my vehicles over the winter months. It has worked okay for me.

I'm sure others will chime in with their own procedures and things they recommend.

 

I was worried about the tires sitting on the cement for six months (flat spotting). The 45lbs of tire pressure cures that?

 

I put down a blue tarp to stop moisture and i have 4 pcs's of wood with rubber roofing on them . Then i do my mouse control and a breathable indoor car cover. I've heard putting the car on stands isn't very good for the suspension. If your in the country mouse control is a must you have 30lb. of wiring in a 10lb. box. Mouse control--There are several threads on that subject.

 

Thanks for the advise, does anyone else have any comments about putting the car on blocks or stands?

 

Yes I do...lol... For 6 months I would not even consider it...to much effort for not much if any gain...UNLESS you have a mouse problem that is...

The plastic tarp is a very good idea but I sure do not use wooden blocks under the tires anymore... and to be honest I no longer over inflate my tires either as today's tires just do not flat spot like they did when they had Rayon Plies..

As for the gas...I always fill my tank completely up to prevent any rusting internally...(that is just me... as someone else mentioned really makes no difference... never ever in over 40 some years in the car hobby had a need to use stablizer in any of my "toys" BUT I only store them from Thanksgiving (wife calls me a Turkey) ...Until April Fools day (yes she calls me a fool too)

Bob G.