Winter?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Winter?
What is the best for my A04 over the winter? It is under a cover and in a detached garage in NY weather. Should I start it up and let it run periodically? Is there a winterizing suggestion? It would be nice if I could take it out now and then for a ride when the weather and the ground look good. Battery? Cylinder walls? Is it bad just to let it sit.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,735
Likes: 14
From: Visalia CA
Unless you can take your car out and drive it for a half hour or more, it's not wise to just start it up and let it run. Condensation will build up in your engine.
When it is sitting in your garage, a Deltran Battery Tender Plus it the way to go. It will keep a "float" charge on your battery and keep it optimally charged at all times.
When it is sitting in your garage, a Deltran Battery Tender Plus it the way to go. It will keep a "float" charge on your battery and keep it optimally charged at all times.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,369
Likes: 73
From: The line waiting to see Santa Claus stretched all the way back to Terre Haute, and I was at the end, Indiana
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18
A little extra psi in the tires, some Sta-Bil in the full gas tank, and a Battery Tender should hold you through the Winter. Change the oil in the Spring, but don't run it unless you can get out and drive enough to heat up the engine and drive train to full temps.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 490
Likes: 7
From: Slinger WI
Do not start it once in awhile unless you are going to drive it. That procedure does far more harm than good.
To store for the winter follow these steps:
1) Stabilize the fuel with Sea Foam or Sta-bil or similar product.
2) Fill the gas tank.
3) Change the oil
4) Air up the tires
5) Hook up a battery tender.
That's it and it will be ready to go in spring.
To store for the winter follow these steps:
1) Stabilize the fuel with Sea Foam or Sta-bil or similar product.
2) Fill the gas tank.
3) Change the oil
4) Air up the tires
5) Hook up a battery tender.
That's it and it will be ready to go in spring.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
The generic term is a battery float charger
check out www.harborfreight.com
No Corvette tax
I am now on my 4th winter with mine...
Skip the aggravation of a jump-start by keeping your vehicle's battery fully charged. Use on 12V batteries while in storage or during cold weather. The floating circuit maintains a full charge without overcharging. Includes automatic safety shut off.
Leads: 10 ft. overall length
ITEM 42292-1VGA
$7.49
check out www.harborfreight.com
No Corvette tax
I am now on my 4th winter with mine...
Skip the aggravation of a jump-start by keeping your vehicle's battery fully charged. Use on 12V batteries while in storage or during cold weather. The floating circuit maintains a full charge without overcharging. Includes automatic safety shut off.
Leads: 10 ft. overall length
ITEM 42292-1VGA
$7.49
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 1
From: South of Indy
St. Jude Donor '07-'08
On sale in the fall catalog for $4.99, I just ordered two
42292-4CNH BATTERY FLOAT CHARGER @ $4.99
plus shipping of course
42292-4CNH BATTERY FLOAT CHARGER @ $4.99
plus shipping of course
Last edited by 04cad; Dec 9, 2007 at 10:26 PM. Reason: MO NFO
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 17,640
Likes: 1
From: Lenoir City TN
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Thanks for all the responses. I need to add to my question. I have not looked yet (its cold out there) can I keep the hood closed and the car covered with the cables running up through the bottom? Has anyone done this? Good Idea? Bad Idea?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,118
Likes: 0
From: Chesterfield MO
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10,'13-'14
I just put my baby up yesterday. Filled up with gas, Put 32lbs in tires,
added sta-bil to gas. Here is a link for a float charger.
http://www.lectriclimited.com/battery-butler.htm
added sta-bil to gas. Here is a link for a float charger.
http://www.lectriclimited.com/battery-butler.htm
Last edited by Big-Red; Dec 15, 2007 at 03:10 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,721
Likes: 4
From: Elizabethtown
Give to me and I will drive it through out the winter and take car of it
You won't even have to pay me!! Anyone else want me to Keep your vette running? Haha Im just joking. It hasnt snowed yet but it's getting cold.
Seriously though, everything seems to be covered, Now would be a good time to do some interior mods if you have any. Cleaning the wheels, inside the wheels, and wheel wells. I guess your in a detached garage, I guess you couldn't do these things. Take some pics so you don't miss the vette too much.
You won't even have to pay me!! Anyone else want me to Keep your vette running? Haha Im just joking. It hasnt snowed yet but it's getting cold.
Seriously though, everything seems to be covered, Now would be a good time to do some interior mods if you have any. Cleaning the wheels, inside the wheels, and wheel wells. I guess your in a detached garage, I guess you couldn't do these things. Take some pics so you don't miss the vette too much.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 9,420
Likes: 8
From: Southern New Jersey, The wet part at the bottom
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
I just close the hood without latching it and with a towel for paint protection run the float charger wire over the fender, then put the cover on. I also have a detached garage and would recommend you also buy one or two of the sonic plug in pest repellers to protect the Vette's wiring and interior from rodent damage. These things really work and cost $15 for two at Lowe's, Home depot, etc. This and the above mentioned Seafoam/ full tank treatment should make for a smooth "wakeup" in the early Spring.