Winter Storage
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 417
Likes: 0
From: St. Albert
Winter Storage
My First Winter: So I will be parking my Vette here soon (in a garage that is insulated but not heated) is there anything special I need to do. It does get pretty cold up here -30 C to minus 40C . I will be starting it every couple of weeks, do I need to do it more. ( Corvette Virgin) How about the battery does it need to be taken out?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 985
Likes: 1
yea, sucks to think that time is coming very soon. be sure and put a fuel stabilizer in. I wouldn't think you need to pull the battery especially if you are starting it up every couple of weeks. we'll see what others think. this will be my first winter with mine as well...good luck
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 30,770
Likes: 41
From: Down the Shore New Jersey, Elev.3 feet
St. Jude Donor '17
Haven't used a tender...yet..its one of those things I keep wanting to get! First year I covered car but now I just add fuel stab. and cover it only if garage door will be open so I can use the snow blower. I look forward to those clear sunny DRY winter days to take it out and maybe put some fresh fuel in and get it hot. I usually have the oil changed at the start of winter so it will sit with clean mobil 1 in the engine.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,997
Likes: 1
From: Life is a game/Golf is serious. IA
I've stored mine here in Iowa for the last 5 winters. I agree with what's been stated above. Battery tender and fuel stabilizer. Depending on the garage, you may want to cover it. Don't start it unless your going to drive it.
It's tuff to see it setting there all winter but it will be ready to go in the spring.
It's tuff to see it setting there all winter but it will be ready to go in the spring.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,170
Likes: 6
From: Oilerville Edmonton
St. Jude Donor '08
Hey Rob...here is another recent thread with some good advice.
Sucks just getting these things and having to put them away for the winter hey?
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1828059
Sucks just getting these things and having to put them away for the winter hey?
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1828059
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Instructor
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 137
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From: Leominster MA
St. Jude Donor '08
Living in the Boston area winters can also get cold and windy so I've stored mine all winter and would highly recommend a battery tender. Clean it, wax it, cover it and start it and drive it in the spring!
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
Winter O NO
Do all of the above and I also spray the engine with a good engine cleaner and then hose it down with the hose without a noozle, no pressure. I spray the engine compartment with WD 40, clean the carpets, a good wax job, open the windows a little and use a car cover even in the garage. one last thing is I us 4 mouse traps with peanut butter next to each wheel and aluminum foil over the tail pipes and get a battery tender at any auto parts store or catalog outfit. Even sears has them, get an automatic one that shuts off when the battery is fully charged and dont forget the fuel stabilizer..then wait for spring! 
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 333
Likes: 1
From: Mendota Heights MN
I have had equally good luck simply disconnecting the battery for the winter -- in my case mandatory since I don't have ac power available to me where I store it. Just reconnect the battery in the spring and start it.
I have been storing the C5 and other vehicles for several (30+)years this way with no adverse effects. Follow all of the other advice regarding fuel stabilizer, fresh fluids, etc., but a battery tender (while a good idea) is not mandatory.
I have been storing the C5 and other vehicles for several (30+)years this way with no adverse effects. Follow all of the other advice regarding fuel stabilizer, fresh fluids, etc., but a battery tender (while a good idea) is not mandatory.
Administrator
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Get a battery tender and use it to keep the battery charged. Fill the gas tank and put in some Sta-Bil to keep the gas fresh. I put carpet squares under each tire and put a few extra pounds of air in each one. I also change the oil before putting it in storage. Finally, I make sure the car is clean and then use a car cover to keep the dust off.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
From: Penna.
Get a battery tender and use it to keep the battery charged. Fill the gas tank and put in some Sta-Bil to keep the gas fresh. I put carpet squares under each tire and put a few extra pounds of air in each one. I also change the oil before putting it in storage. Finally, I make sure the car is clean and then use a car cover to keep the dust off.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,794
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
here is a good link for you
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...e/storage.html
Apart from that, in order of priority
1. make sure the cooling system anti-freeze and the windshield washer reservoir and lines are freeze protected to 40 below....
2. but Stabil in the gas tank
3. definitely use a battery float charger ( 21st Century trickle charer that automatically adjusts output to match battery drain during storage)
4. DO NOT START the car over the winter. Once you put it to bed do not waken it until it is time to put it backon the road. Starting for short periods results in water vapor withing the engine and exhaust. that means RUST as well with your ambient temprerature, that vapor will condense and freeze.. potentially causing additional problems. Finally, at those temperatures even with 5W30 motor oil, it takes a while for the oil to get to distant engine parts resulting in dry starts and accelerating wear....
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...e/storage.html
Apart from that, in order of priority
1. make sure the cooling system anti-freeze and the windshield washer reservoir and lines are freeze protected to 40 below....
2. but Stabil in the gas tank
3. definitely use a battery float charger ( 21st Century trickle charer that automatically adjusts output to match battery drain during storage)
4. DO NOT START the car over the winter. Once you put it to bed do not waken it until it is time to put it backon the road. Starting for short periods results in water vapor withing the engine and exhaust. that means RUST as well with your ambient temprerature, that vapor will condense and freeze.. potentially causing additional problems. Finally, at those temperatures even with 5W30 motor oil, it takes a while for the oil to get to distant engine parts resulting in dry starts and accelerating wear....
Last edited by rws.1; Oct 3, 2007 at 03:44 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,903
Likes: 0
From: I finished a Marathon, did you? Michigan
CI 6-7, 9-10 Veteran
Dont forget about the tires, I inflate mine to 40 psi and park it on pieces of carpet. I don't use a battery tender, i just disconnect the battery. Fuel stabilizer is a definite must! I also put a sheet of visqueen under my car as to keep any moisture from coming up.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 438
Likes: 0
From: SMU SMU
I live in Texas so I don't need to store mine, but I'm still curious.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 355
Likes: 0
From: Dayton Ohio
here is a good link for you
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...e/storage.html
Apart from that, in order of priority
1. make sure the cooling system anti-freeze and the windshield washer reservoir and lines are freeze protected to 40 below....
2. but Stabil in the gas tank
3. definitely use a battery float charger ( 21st Century trickle charer that automatically adjusts output to match battery drain during storage)
4. DO NOT START the car over the winter. Once you put it to bed do not waken it until it is time to put it backon the road. Starting for short periods results in water vapor withing the engine and exhaust. that means RUST as well with your ambient temprerature, that vapor will condense and freeze.. potentially causing additional problems. Finally, at those temperatures even with 5W30 motor oil, it takes a while for the oil to get to distant engine parts resulting in dry starts and accelerating wear....
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...e/storage.html
Apart from that, in order of priority
1. make sure the cooling system anti-freeze and the windshield washer reservoir and lines are freeze protected to 40 below....
2. but Stabil in the gas tank
3. definitely use a battery float charger ( 21st Century trickle charer that automatically adjusts output to match battery drain during storage)
4. DO NOT START the car over the winter. Once you put it to bed do not waken it until it is time to put it backon the road. Starting for short periods results in water vapor withing the engine and exhaust. that means RUST as well with your ambient temprerature, that vapor will condense and freeze.. potentially causing additional problems. Finally, at those temperatures even with 5W30 motor oil, it takes a while for the oil to get to distant engine parts resulting in dry starts and accelerating wear....
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 10,789
Likes: 894
From: Northern Illinois
Oldtimer
I have had equally good luck simply disconnecting the battery for the winter -- in my case mandatory since I don't have ac power available to me where I store it. Just reconnect the battery in the spring and start it.
I have been storing the C5 and other vehicles for several (30+)years this way with no adverse effects. Follow all of the other advice regarding fuel stabilizer, fresh fluids, etc., but a battery tender (while a good idea) is not mandatory.
I have been storing the C5 and other vehicles for several (30+)years this way with no adverse effects. Follow all of the other advice regarding fuel stabilizer, fresh fluids, etc., but a battery tender (while a good idea) is not mandatory.
I've been storing mine for years and all I do is disconnect the negative battery terminal. It fires up the first time, every time.