Top down question
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,360
Likes: 1
From: West Grove Pa
My top is always down. Putting it down after a couple of times you'll see areas that are a little shinny but no big deal. My cars a 2000 and except for the areas that rub and are a little shinny the top still looks like new.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 449
Likes: 4
From: Palm Coast FL
Recommendations from Robbins Auto Top Co. website.
Leave your Top Up when Not Driving: We strongly recommend that you leave convertible tops latched in the up position overnight or whenever you are not driving your convertible. This will help retain the original shape of your top, resist shrinkage, and avoid crease marks where the top folds when in the down position. Leaving your top up when you are not driving will also help to prolong the service life of plastic windows.
F.Y.I. to each his own.
Leave your Top Up when Not Driving: We strongly recommend that you leave convertible tops latched in the up position overnight or whenever you are not driving your convertible. This will help retain the original shape of your top, resist shrinkage, and avoid crease marks where the top folds when in the down position. Leaving your top up when you are not driving will also help to prolong the service life of plastic windows.
F.Y.I. to each his own.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,820
Likes: 2
From: San Diego
I'm sure Robbins is right but mine is down most all the time. I'll put it up when I leave it parked in public, otherwise with so many days of sunshine in San Diego its usually down.
The car is an '04. To date I haven't seen any ill effects from leaving it down.
..rickko..
The car is an '04. To date I haven't seen any ill effects from leaving it down.
..rickko..
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 21,915
Likes: 61
From: Miami Beach FL
Recommendations from Robbins Auto Top Co. website.
Leave your Top Up when Not Driving: We strongly recommend that you leave convertible tops latched in the up position overnight or whenever you are not driving your convertible. This will help retain the original shape of your top, resist shrinkage, and avoid crease marks where the top folds when in the down position. Leaving your top up when you are not driving will also help to prolong the service life of plastic windows.
F.Y.I. to each his own.
Leave your Top Up when Not Driving: We strongly recommend that you leave convertible tops latched in the up position overnight or whenever you are not driving your convertible. This will help retain the original shape of your top, resist shrinkage, and avoid crease marks where the top folds when in the down position. Leaving your top up when you are not driving will also help to prolong the service life of plastic windows.
F.Y.I. to each his own.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,046
Likes: 324
From: Lynnwood Washington
Is Robbins top Co the original top maker for the C5? Just curious. I put mine up whenever it is going to sit overnight in the garage.
My 68 firebird convertible has a black vinyl top and it wrinkles if I leave it down for a day or two so I have gotten into the habit of putting them up when I'm done driving the cars for the day. Although the fabric top on the C5 is probably fine to stay down for a few days.
My 68 firebird convertible has a black vinyl top and it wrinkles if I leave it down for a day or two so I have gotten into the habit of putting them up when I'm done driving the cars for the day. Although the fabric top on the C5 is probably fine to stay down for a few days.
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Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,346
Likes: 5
From: Mustang OK
Racer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 431
Likes: 5
From: Chico CA
The dealer left the top down on my car for 3-4 months while it was in the showroom, with no ill effects. But I put it up to prevent a cat getting into it in the garage and using it as a litter box. An old girlfriend's cat did that to my Shelby once about 32 years ago.
The thing I do try to do is keep the top clean. The canvas exterior can absorb crud, so use of a good top cleaner and preservative is probably a good thing, and part of my maintenance routine.
Otherwise, Chevrolet recommends not leaving it down with the car outside, unless it's being driven, to avoid sun damage to the interior.
Top is easy to put up/down, so it hasn't been a problem.
The thing I do try to do is keep the top clean. The canvas exterior can absorb crud, so use of a good top cleaner and preservative is probably a good thing, and part of my maintenance routine.
Otherwise, Chevrolet recommends not leaving it down with the car outside, unless it's being driven, to avoid sun damage to the interior.
Top is easy to put up/down, so it hasn't been a problem.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,992
Likes: 3
From: Pleasanton CA
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12, '14-'17,'21, '25
I'm sure Robbins is right but mine is down most all the time. I'll put it up when I leave it parked in public, otherwise with so many days of sunshine in San Diego its usually down.
The car is an '04. To date I haven't seen any ill effects from leaving it down.
..rickko..
The car is an '04. To date I haven't seen any ill effects from leaving it down.
..rickko..
I have an 04 with 33k miles. The top is down 90% of the time and looks like new.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Downside:
Sun on seats weathers the interior a little more
Rub marks on fabric where top contacts bulkhead
Wrinkles in fabric more marked due to lack of stretching
Dust in cockpit
Upside:
Top is protected
Stays generally cleaner
Its way more fun
BTW exercising the top cycles the windows. Instances of door module failures seem to be fewer in Verts as the components (door module relays) dont "seize" up.
Sun on seats weathers the interior a little more
Rub marks on fabric where top contacts bulkhead
Wrinkles in fabric more marked due to lack of stretching
Dust in cockpit
Upside:
Top is protected
Stays generally cleaner
Its way more fun
BTW exercising the top cycles the windows. Instances of door module failures seem to be fewer in Verts as the components (door module relays) dont "seize" up.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,046
Likes: 324
From: Lynnwood Washington
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From: Always living in a state of Confusion.
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St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09
When I leave mine down for an extended period of time, I always place a few towels between the folds. So far, it's worked for me.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,924
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From: Follansbee West Va
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 30,770
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From: Down the Shore New Jersey, Elev.3 feet
St. Jude Donor '17
My top is always up and latched unless using it in a nice day. If I leave it down I do get wrinkles and creases.....they do go away but I think it keeps the shape better when up, the inside stays cleaner , still have that "new car smell" and outside I never leave it down.....bird poo will be attracted like the interior is a magnet and down the shore the roads are dirt and sand! Great dust clouds on a hot dry summer day!
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Recommendations from Robbins Auto Top Co. website.
Leave your Top Up when Not Driving: We strongly recommend that you leave convertible tops latched in the up position overnight or whenever you are not driving your convertible. This will help retain the original shape of your top, resist shrinkage, and avoid crease marks where the top folds when in the down position. Leaving your top up when you are not driving will also help to prolong the service life of plastic windows.
F.Y.I. to each his own.
Leave your Top Up when Not Driving: We strongly recommend that you leave convertible tops latched in the up position overnight or whenever you are not driving your convertible. This will help retain the original shape of your top, resist shrinkage, and avoid crease marks where the top folds when in the down position. Leaving your top up when you are not driving will also help to prolong the service life of plastic windows.
F.Y.I. to each his own.
I would put it up just to avoid any creases in the top material.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 314
Likes: 17
From: Palo Alto California
Some types of tops shrink if left down for extended periods,but I have not seen that with the top on my 2002. I have never driven it with the top up. About once a year I put it up briefly to wipe out the accumulation of dust.
