Storing car for winter
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 216
Likes: 0
From: New York
Storing car for winter
Hi guys. If you were to put your Vette in the Garage from now until April, what would you do? DO you drain ALL the fluids? Disconnect the battery? What about gas? keep the tank full so no moisture builds up in there??? Or should you leave it and just run it every two weeks??? I have no idea. What is best for the car? Could you give me a list of instructions to follow that would be best for winter storage? Thanks :confused:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,426
Likes: 4
From: Heidelberg PA
Cruise-In V Veteran
Re: Storing car for winter (BlueC4 LT1)
Winter Blues = Storage
1- increase pressure in tires from 35 to 40 ( eliminates rounding of tires)
2- park vehicle on wood (plywood etc) concrete is not good for tires
3- disconect battery and connect up battery tender - allows tickle charge when needed to keep battery charged
4- treat all rubber seals with dialectic grease (silicone)
5- add fuel stabilizer and fill up car with Sunoco 94, run car at least 15-20 minutes to allow stabilizer to work its way to the engine. Current gas does not maintain well.
6- Wash, wax and cover car.
7- kiss it goodbye for a few months - they say time away strenghens relationships - does it work with cars???? :jester
If I happen to start it - I take it for at least a 30 minute ride, otherwise, you are better off not being tempted.
good luck
Save the wave
:cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :chevy
1- increase pressure in tires from 35 to 40 ( eliminates rounding of tires)
2- park vehicle on wood (plywood etc) concrete is not good for tires
3- disconect battery and connect up battery tender - allows tickle charge when needed to keep battery charged
4- treat all rubber seals with dialectic grease (silicone)
5- add fuel stabilizer and fill up car with Sunoco 94, run car at least 15-20 minutes to allow stabilizer to work its way to the engine. Current gas does not maintain well.
6- Wash, wax and cover car.
7- kiss it goodbye for a few months - they say time away strenghens relationships - does it work with cars???? :jester
If I happen to start it - I take it for at least a 30 minute ride, otherwise, you are better off not being tempted.
good luck
Save the wave
:cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :chevy
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
From: Wilmington Delaware
Re: Storing car for winter (BlueC4 LT1)
Here are some basic tips from http://www.enjoytheride.com
To keep stored vehicles in tip-top shape, we offer these 10 Winter Storage Tips:
1. Keep the fuel fresh. When gasoline sits, it can break down and form gum and varnish, which will clog a fuel system. What's more, any moisture left in the fuel system can cause rust. The solution: Add a container of fuel stabilizer to the gas tank. Then visit a local gas station and fill the tank to the top right before putting the vehicle into storage. The short drive home should be sufficient to circulate the stabilized gas throughout the fuel system, keeping the fuel fresh and the system safe until the vehicle is ready to ride again.
2. Don't let the cooling system freeze. Drain the system (including the radiator) and refill it with a rust-inhibiting antifreeze.
3. Change the oil. It's important to remove any acid, moisture and other contaminants from an engine by changing the oil and filter before putting a vehicle to sleep for the winter. It's okay to use the same-viscosity oil as usual, just be sure the oil contains corrosion protection.
4. Avoid flat-spotting the tires. A vehicle that sits for a long period of time can ruin a set of radial tires. The best way to save those expensive tires is to store the vehicle up on jack stands. Some people also may want to remove the vehicle's wheels and tires--or let some of the air out of the tires to reduce strain on the shocks and other suspension components.
5. Keep the battery alive. When a battery loses its charge over time, it can freeze and explode. To avoid a dangerous mess, hook up a battery charger/maintainer. Unlike a plain old trickle charger, the Battery Extender from Auto Meter won't overcharge a battery, but rather will keep the battery properly charged, no matter how long the vehicle sits.
6. Protect the paint. Give the vehicle a good washing before it's put away for the winter to remove any road salt or grunge, and be sure to dry it thoroughly, too. (And of course a fresh coat of Zaino... ) Finally, slip on a breathable cloth car cover. (Plastic covers will trap condensation and provide a fertile breeding ground for rust.)
7. Check the insurance. Just because a vehicle is sitting, undriven, doesn't mean liability coverage is unnecessary. What if someone pushes the car, and it winds up rolling down the driveway and into the neighbor's brand-new Mercedes? Collision and theft coverage can be important, too.
8. Prevent rust. Unpainted metal surfaces can use a good coat of rust inhibitor.
9. Protect vinyl, leather and rubber. If the vehicle will be stored in a dry climate, it's wise to apply a preservative to prevent seats, armrests and dash pads from cracking.
10. Provide critter protection. Many small animals find vehicle wiring, seats and carpets delectable, and they think cars and trucks make a nice den, too. To keep critters out, place moth ***** inside a vehicle, including under the dash, and cover the tailpipe.
Scott Chab
'94 Hawk #110
To keep stored vehicles in tip-top shape, we offer these 10 Winter Storage Tips:
1. Keep the fuel fresh. When gasoline sits, it can break down and form gum and varnish, which will clog a fuel system. What's more, any moisture left in the fuel system can cause rust. The solution: Add a container of fuel stabilizer to the gas tank. Then visit a local gas station and fill the tank to the top right before putting the vehicle into storage. The short drive home should be sufficient to circulate the stabilized gas throughout the fuel system, keeping the fuel fresh and the system safe until the vehicle is ready to ride again.
2. Don't let the cooling system freeze. Drain the system (including the radiator) and refill it with a rust-inhibiting antifreeze.
3. Change the oil. It's important to remove any acid, moisture and other contaminants from an engine by changing the oil and filter before putting a vehicle to sleep for the winter. It's okay to use the same-viscosity oil as usual, just be sure the oil contains corrosion protection.
4. Avoid flat-spotting the tires. A vehicle that sits for a long period of time can ruin a set of radial tires. The best way to save those expensive tires is to store the vehicle up on jack stands. Some people also may want to remove the vehicle's wheels and tires--or let some of the air out of the tires to reduce strain on the shocks and other suspension components.
5. Keep the battery alive. When a battery loses its charge over time, it can freeze and explode. To avoid a dangerous mess, hook up a battery charger/maintainer. Unlike a plain old trickle charger, the Battery Extender from Auto Meter won't overcharge a battery, but rather will keep the battery properly charged, no matter how long the vehicle sits.
6. Protect the paint. Give the vehicle a good washing before it's put away for the winter to remove any road salt or grunge, and be sure to dry it thoroughly, too. (And of course a fresh coat of Zaino... ) Finally, slip on a breathable cloth car cover. (Plastic covers will trap condensation and provide a fertile breeding ground for rust.)
7. Check the insurance. Just because a vehicle is sitting, undriven, doesn't mean liability coverage is unnecessary. What if someone pushes the car, and it winds up rolling down the driveway and into the neighbor's brand-new Mercedes? Collision and theft coverage can be important, too.
8. Prevent rust. Unpainted metal surfaces can use a good coat of rust inhibitor.
9. Protect vinyl, leather and rubber. If the vehicle will be stored in a dry climate, it's wise to apply a preservative to prevent seats, armrests and dash pads from cracking.
10. Provide critter protection. Many small animals find vehicle wiring, seats and carpets delectable, and they think cars and trucks make a nice den, too. To keep critters out, place moth ***** inside a vehicle, including under the dash, and cover the tailpipe.
Scott Chab
'94 Hawk #110
Racer
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 480
Likes: 1
From: Ham Lake, MN
Re: Storing car for winter (94Hawk110)
