Removing battery during storage
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 208
Likes: 1
From: Ellington CT
Removing battery during storage
Considering the electronics, any negatives to removing the battery during winter storage when 110V power is not available for a Battery Tender ? Or, better to start periodically? Understand the memory for emissions etc will be erased w/o power ?
Other thoughts ?
Other thoughts ?
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,075
Likes: 109
From: Longmont Co
Charge first, if you can't then remove battery. If you are going to start it, run it until the coolant and oil have both warmed up to normal operating temp (and run the AC, no matter how cold it is). Going around the block will just cause a bunch of condensation in the exhaust and lead to rust issues.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,314
Likes: 508
From: South-central Missouri
I would put the battery on a Battery Tender where it is you have it stored tho. It will keep it from sulfiding and be fresh whenever you put it back in.
Personally, I can't stand not driving my baby on a sunny, dry weekend day. Where I live there are some blacktops they don't salt except for the intersections. So, about every two weeks or so she gets to stretch her legs a bit. (Even here in no. IL).
P.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 637
Likes: 1
From: Slovenija
This is what I did last year for storage.
I filled up the gas tank to maximum. Meaning when it stopped I filled some more and more until it couldn't go any further. A friend of mine told me that gas tanks tend to corrode if they are exposed ti gas fumes.
Then over inflated the tires a little to prevent them from deforming after standing a couple of months.
And charged the battery and then disconnected it.
I also filled all the fluids to maximum allowed and then checked them before first start up.
Vette stood like that for 8 months and ran great the firs time around.
The only thing was I forgot to deflate the tires the first time I rode it and almost spun out of control in an intersection.
(now I have a checklist)
I filled up the gas tank to maximum. Meaning when it stopped I filled some more and more until it couldn't go any further. A friend of mine told me that gas tanks tend to corrode if they are exposed ti gas fumes.
Then over inflated the tires a little to prevent them from deforming after standing a couple of months.
And charged the battery and then disconnected it.
I also filled all the fluids to maximum allowed and then checked them before first start up.
Vette stood like that for 8 months and ran great the firs time around.
The only thing was I forgot to deflate the tires the first time I rode it and almost spun out of control in an intersection.
(now I have a checklist
)
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 33,047
Likes: 6,558
From: Rochester NY
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '26
Originally Posted by vittal
A friend of mine told me that gas tanks tend to corrode if they are exposed to gas fumes.
By keeping the tank full or nearly so you are minimizing the amount of air present, and limiting the amount of moisture. I don't think you have to be extreme about it, the tank does not have to be absolutely full to the very brim. If you fill it at the gas station, drive a short distance home and park it for the winter I think you'll be fine.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 164
Likes: 2
From: Spring Texas
I have a battery disconnect switch and turn it off for long periods, no problem. I would take the battery out for storage. The PO had allowed his battery to lose its charge and unfortuately a dead battery will freeze and rupture. The aid does great damage. My car had suffered from this when I bought it. Take the battery out!
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Pro
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 603
Likes: 45
From: Baltimore County MD
Another issue about long term storage. It's hard on the car. When I bought my c4 the transmission seals were leaking (which disappointed me) and numerous switches(window and defroster) also were not working. Decided to run or start the car every 10 days or so during the winter. ALL the problems disappeared. Also heard a story about a 2005 c6 owner who had less than 5k on the car spent over $5000 replacing the transmission seals from lack of use. Something to think about
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,752
Likes: 190
From: Indiana PA
Truth be told, C4's like to be driven and taken care of. They are attention ******. Show them a little love and they love you back. Seals can and do dry out if they are not driven. I put on 3K a year, its driven enough.
I park mine for 5 months from Nov. to March. I take the battery out, as its cold storage in a barn. No issues, I just take the battery out to the car once a month and start it up and let it run for about a hour or so.
As long as your are hooking the battery up correctly and NOT with the key on or door open,etc...you'll be fine.
Full Gas Tank+Sta-Bil
Inflate tires up to max. specs on sidewall of tire.
Mothballs under car, in engine compartment.
Dryer sheets in car.
Cover tail pipes.
Remove side panel and battery.
Clean, Detail Car.
Cover
and DONE!!
I park mine for 5 months from Nov. to March. I take the battery out, as its cold storage in a barn. No issues, I just take the battery out to the car once a month and start it up and let it run for about a hour or so.
As long as your are hooking the battery up correctly and NOT with the key on or door open,etc...you'll be fine.
Full Gas Tank+Sta-Bil
Inflate tires up to max. specs on sidewall of tire.
Mothballs under car, in engine compartment.
Dryer sheets in car.
Cover tail pipes.
Remove side panel and battery.
Clean, Detail Car.
Cover
and DONE!!
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 11,772
Likes: 177
From: Rolla Missouri
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25
If you insist on starting the car every 10 days or so, I sure hope your actually getting it out and driving it.
Without getting everything (water, oil, transmission, differential and even exhaust system including mufflers) completely up to normal operating temps, you are doing more harm than good.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,457
Likes: 9
From: Minneapolis MN
Letting the car sit for a few months during the winter is not even close to being considered long term storage.
If you insist on starting the car every 10 days or so, I sure hope your actually getting it out and driving it.
Without getting everything (water, oil, transmission, differential and even exhaust system including mufflers) completely up to normal operating temps, you are doing more harm than good.
If you insist on starting the car every 10 days or so, I sure hope your actually getting it out and driving it.
Without getting everything (water, oil, transmission, differential and even exhaust system including mufflers) completely up to normal operating temps, you are doing more harm than good.
It is perfectly acceptable to have the battery fully charged and simply disconnect it so there is no drain. A fully charged battery will not be damaged by extreme cold. A battery "tender" that does not completely shut off to zero volts will actually damage the battery. So if you are using a "tender" put a voltmeter on it and verify it actually drops to zero volts when the battery is fully charged.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,735
Likes: 413
From: WV
This is actually the best idea, a car sitting all winter without being started is not a good idea.. If you pay attention to the posts here on the CF next spring, you will notice how many people come out of winter with car problems. There put away running fine, and in the spring have problems.There are almost always a few nice days during the winter to go for a drive around town just to get the car up to running temperture....WW
Last edited by WW7; Oct 4, 2012 at 07:33 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 230
Likes: 5
From: Westerville Ohio
Truth be told, C4's like to be driven and taken care of. They are attention ******. Show them a little love and they love you back. Seals can and do dry out if they are not driven. I put on 3K a year, its driven enough.
I park mine for 5 months from Nov. to March. I take the battery out, as its cold storage in a barn. No issues, I just take the battery out to the car once a month and start it up and let it run for about a hour or so.
As long as your are hooking the battery up correctly and NOT with the key on or door open,etc...you'll be fine.
Full Gas Tank+Sta-Bil
Inflate tires up to max. specs on sidewall of tire.
Mothballs under car, in engine compartment.
Dryer sheets in car.
Cover tail pipes.
Remove side panel and battery.
Clean, Detail Car.
Cover
and DONE!!
I park mine for 5 months from Nov. to March. I take the battery out, as its cold storage in a barn. No issues, I just take the battery out to the car once a month and start it up and let it run for about a hour or so.
As long as your are hooking the battery up correctly and NOT with the key on or door open,etc...you'll be fine.
Full Gas Tank+Sta-Bil
Inflate tires up to max. specs on sidewall of tire.
Mothballs under car, in engine compartment.
Dryer sheets in car.
Cover tail pipes.
Remove side panel and battery.
Clean, Detail Car.
Cover
and DONE!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,030
Likes: 10
From: Edmonton, Alberta
Letting the car sit for a few months during the winter is not even close to being considered long term storage.
If you insist on starting the car every 10 days or so, I sure hope your actually getting it out and driving it.
Without getting everything (water, oil, transmission, differential and even exhaust system including mufflers) completely up to normal operating temps, you are doing more harm than good.
If you insist on starting the car every 10 days or so, I sure hope your actually getting it out and driving it.
Without getting everything (water, oil, transmission, differential and even exhaust system including mufflers) completely up to normal operating temps, you are doing more harm than good.
See Greg, and you didn't even have to...... ahem..... show me
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 11,772
Likes: 177
From: Rolla Missouri
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25