Just a couple of questions

1. Should you start the car every month or so, or just let it sit ?
2. If you start it how long should you let it Run?
3. Should you put any of the gas additives in for just a 6 month storage?
4, What if any problems should i expect in the spring when i go to start driving again?

thanks
George

 

Only had my Corvette since May. Have had my MG Midget since 1984. I start the Midget once a month and let it warm up till upper radiater hose gets hot, thats about 15 minutes . Move car back and forth to use brakes and shift transmission. I have used Stabil in the fuel tank every winter. So far I have not had any storage problems. I will use this basic storage procedure on my Corvette. Have had trouble with my battery now and then but it was due to my skipping months on start-up. Hope this helps you.

 

I just checked out what to do for storage, since have three vehicles I need to hibernate every year. Here is what GM says in regards to your questions:
1. It would be best to run the engine at least once a month if you can, but ONLY (!) if you can drive the car an bring oil and coolant to 200F for at least 15 to 20 minutes. otherwise leave the engine shut off after you changed the oil and filter before you put her in storage (gotta do that !!).
2. Above answers this question.
3. A gas stabilizer such as Stabil is a good idea. Make sure the tank is completely filled to the top when putting her away for the winter.
4. I hibernate at least two cars and my bike this way every year and never ever had a problem in the spring. they all fired right up and ran fine.

A few more things you should/could do: Put the car on jackstands to relieve the tires and suspension. If you can't do this, inflate the tires to max. allowable pressure (approx. 45psi) to avoid nasty flat spots.
Hybernated cars are hard on coolant. Change your engine coolant at least (!) in the recommended intervals (DexCool at least every five years, the green stuff every year to two years.). Some people plug the exhaust pipes with steel wool to avoid rodents getting in there (depends on your storage condtions).

 

I put my Z06 up for the winter. Here is what I did:
1. Changed the oil.
2. Added Sta-bil and topped the fuel up.
3. Ran the engine long enough to get treated fuel to the motor.
4. Hooked up the battery tender.
5. Took one last long look.
6. Put the cover on.

I won't start mine up until late April or May. Most fuel has a 3 month self life so the stablizier is a safe bet for a 6 month storage. One storage problem to watch for is rodents looking for a place to winter in your price and joy.

 

Shaky......you're right on.....I forgot the battery tender......have them on my bike and cars too.....they are excellent!! GM also said that fuel stabilizer is not needed if you store the vehicle for less than six months. I put it in anyways. BTW fuel stabilizer is more important in the summer than in the winter (like in my snow blower when is summer storage :D

 

Thanks For all The Info. I put the battery Tender on last week because the Batt. Went Dead. I got the mouse traps set around the car, because they got into my Z24 and chewed thru the fuel injector wires a couple of months ago. I didn' change the oil, why before winter and not in the spring?

thanks
George

 

Used oil can have moisture and acids and a whole bunch of nasties in there that you don't want chewing on your motor. It's not that the oil "goes bad" but it would be like having the choice between storing a nail in a glass of water or a glass of coke. Although it might rust in the water it will dissolve in the coke.

IMHO letting a car sit, properly stored or not is the absolute worst thing you can do for it. Moving parts are mean't to move, if not they will seize up. A good example is my dad's 46 chevy pickup. It rarely gets driven anymore just because we don't have time and the other vehicles are a lot more convienent. After sitting for a number of months the water pump is now making a horrible noise. Sure the coolant looks fine and is still a bright neon green, but the water pump bearings are still toast. Unless you absolutely have to I wouldn't even put it away for long term storage. You might still put it in your storage location, but just go drive it every week. Half an hour every week would be plenty to keep everything in good working order.

 

I am with everyone else. Put in the gas Stabilizer, change the oil, run the engine now and then and move the car so the tires rest on a different location. I do not take out the battery since it is only a couple of years old and I have heated storage. I have been doing this to my motorcycles and cars for years and never have any problems.