[Z06] Putting away for the winter months...
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Hopkinton Mass
Putting away for the winter months...
Hi folks,
I have a 2001 Z06 and was wondering what I should do to put it away for the winter here in NE...Its garaged and I was planning on starting it every two weeks...I have a trickle charger on the battery and the car is covered...I have heard so much about putting it up on blocks vs not putting it up on blocks...
its good, its not good for the suspension....etc....Help!
I have a 2001 Z06 and was wondering what I should do to put it away for the winter here in NE...Its garaged and I was planning on starting it every two weeks...I have a trickle charger on the battery and the car is covered...I have heard so much about putting it up on blocks vs not putting it up on blocks...
its good, its not good for the suspension....etc....Help!
Racer
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 364
Likes: 0
From: Crystal Lake IL
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Putting away for the winter months... (Eugene)
I don't exactly put mine away. I don't take it out in the snow or slush, or rain for that matter. This still buys me driving time usually every month. It is great taking the car out in the middle of the winter when the roads are clean. Last year I had 6 weeks between drives due to the big snow and long clean-up/melt times. The only thing that I was concerned with was the battery. After 6 weeks it started getting weak. 1 nice drive and it was back to normal. With your trickle charger you should be fine. Which charger did you get?
This is just another option. If your roads stay as clean as mine usually can be, why not have some fun and use that car in the winter? :D
- Charley
This is just another option. If your roads stay as clean as mine usually can be, why not have some fun and use that car in the winter? :D
- Charley
Instructor
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 192
Likes: 0
From: Milpitas CA
Re: Putting away for the winter months... (Eugene)
I've done the same with mine: trickle charger and car cover. In addition, I covered the concrete garage floor under the car with plastic and put carpet squares under the tires. I'm not sure if it good or bad to have it up on blocks... Perhaps someone else has some thoughts on this one. Gonna miss her until spring though! :cry
Race Director
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 12,712
Likes: 2,271
Re: Putting away for the winter months... (SmokieTheZ)
Over the life of a typical automotive engine, eighty percent of engine wear occurs duing cold start and warm-up, The message here is don't start it unless you are goiing to drive it. Starting a car periodically in winter storage is a myth that just won't die.
Fill the fuel tank, change the oil and filter, fill the tires up to 40 psi, trickle charge the battery every couple of weeks (or leave a battery tender on it) and set traps and bait to preclude rodent damage. I think it's best to remove the battery and keep it at above freezing temperatures, but you can leave it in the car if you like.
The biggest risk in storage is probably rodent damage. Other than that, letting a car hibernate over the winter is no big deal. Just let it sleep until you're ready to drive it.
Placing a car on jackstands with the suspension hanging is another myth. This will strain the suspension bushings in torsion, which can shorten their life. That's why the factory tightens the bushing bolts at normal ride height and shop manuals state to tighten them at normal ride height whenever they have to be loosened or the control arms removed for repair work.
Duke
[Modified by SWCDuke, 8:06 AM 11/30/2001]
Fill the fuel tank, change the oil and filter, fill the tires up to 40 psi, trickle charge the battery every couple of weeks (or leave a battery tender on it) and set traps and bait to preclude rodent damage. I think it's best to remove the battery and keep it at above freezing temperatures, but you can leave it in the car if you like.
The biggest risk in storage is probably rodent damage. Other than that, letting a car hibernate over the winter is no big deal. Just let it sleep until you're ready to drive it.
Placing a car on jackstands with the suspension hanging is another myth. This will strain the suspension bushings in torsion, which can shorten their life. That's why the factory tightens the bushing bolts at normal ride height and shop manuals state to tighten them at normal ride height whenever they have to be loosened or the control arms removed for repair work.
Duke
[Modified by SWCDuke, 8:06 AM 11/30/2001]
Racer
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 364
Likes: 0
From: Crystal Lake IL
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Putting away for the winter months... (SWCDuke)
If you remove the battery from the car or even disconnect it for an extended period of time, what has to be reprogrammed on the car?
For example....
1) Fobs rematched
2) Radio stations
3) power seat settings
4) DIC settings
I am just wondering how big of a deal it is to get the car back to normal after not having it powered for a while.
Thanks.
- Charley
For example....
1) Fobs rematched
2) Radio stations
3) power seat settings
4) DIC settings
I am just wondering how big of a deal it is to get the car back to normal after not having it powered for a while.
Thanks.
- Charley
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Hopkinton Mass
Re: Putting away for the winter months... (CDHough)
I just picked one up from Great Northern Company....it plugs in the wall and attaches to the battery in such a way that you can keep the hood closed....looks like it will work fine for me and I only spent around 15 dollars for it....but I have to admit...I am guitily thinking about having the lingerphelter (sp?) job done on it....I am hearing that 700+ horsepower is not uncommon....thanks for the advice duke....my first corvette...so I'm a bit green in the gills about it.....I'lll miss it for the winter months as well :seeya
[Modified by Eugene, 7:34 PM 11/30/2001]
[Modified by Eugene, 7:34 PM 11/30/2001]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,524
Likes: 0
From: Stamford CT.
Re: Putting away for the winter months... (Eugene)
There will be days in jan-feb when the weather is nice enough that you will want to go for a ride. There is NO problem with the cold start as long as you drive it far enough to get the oil temp up to burn off contaminants. Just leave the TC-AH on as the cold road temps lower available traction big time. I know I will not be able to let mine sleep all winter. Ric
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Milford Ma
Re: Putting away for the winter months... (Eugene)
Winter starting of the Vette should not be a problem. The key is to watch the outside temp. Here in the N.E. when there are minus zero temps it's best not the start the car at all. It will take too much time to get the engine oil viscosity to the correct level. Wait until a warmer day to start the ride and if the roads are clean enough, take it around the block a couple to times until your thermostat opens and the cars nice and hot. :seeya
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