Our first Vette, Winter Storage ?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Liverpool New York
Our first Vette, Winter Storage ?
Hello from upstate New York... This is our fisrt Corvette and want to do things right.. Winter is on its way , what is the MUST DO list for winter storage in the cold north. We just bought a 2002 C5 , Speedway White Convertible , 6500 miles .. Its all new to us . Any other tips on any topic to do with the C5's would be greatly appreciated. Car covers ,tire's, car hauler trailers for vettes (open models), what to lookout for, what to expect from this year Corvette ..
Thank you for any help .
Martin R
Thank you for any help .
Martin R
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 11,069
Likes: 1,287
From: Central Ma
I live in Mass. and try to drive mine once/month when the roads/weather cooperate. This is usually not a problem, even with a tough winter last year.
If you can't drive it for a good warm up, then don't bother starting it and idling, just wait until spring.
Stabil in the gas.
Some people swear by an oil change, I don't.
Battery tender.
Some add some air to the tires, just remember this later.
A thorough cleaning.
Mouse traps, dryer sheets, irish spring cut up, moth *****, etc.
Remember to check everything in the spring.
I cover mine in the garage, but only after a cleaning.
I also pull the wheels somewhere along the way for a thorough cleaning, and give the finish a multi-step polishing and Z application before coming back out. This pays dividends the entire year.
Enjoy your new ride.
If you can't drive it for a good warm up, then don't bother starting it and idling, just wait until spring.
Stabil in the gas.
Some people swear by an oil change, I don't.
Battery tender.
Some add some air to the tires, just remember this later.
A thorough cleaning.
Mouse traps, dryer sheets, irish spring cut up, moth *****, etc.
Remember to check everything in the spring.
I cover mine in the garage, but only after a cleaning.
I also pull the wheels somewhere along the way for a thorough cleaning, and give the finish a multi-step polishing and Z application before coming back out. This pays dividends the entire year.
Enjoy your new ride.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Liverpool New York
Thanks ! We just picked this car up in Boston this last weekend ... Took it for a drive up to the Hamptons Saturday , then back home to Syracuse on Sunday .. Love it ! I was told to inflate the tires to around 50 lbs for winter storage, does that sound correct ? What cover do you recommend ? What is "Z application" and "multi-step polishing" ? I've always been a Harley guy , had the winter storage down to a science . Always did the oil change before storage and before the first run in the spring .. ( Overkill I'm Sure ). Was very big on the wax job's , but don't know anything about Z application ?? Thank you for your help .
Martin R
Martin R
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 219
Likes: 5
From: Lockport N.Y.
Winter Storage
Hi there,
This is my first Corvette and the couple I bought mine from was from Rochester.
I was told to inflate the tires to about 40 lbs.
Fill the gas tank to full and put gas some stabilizer in it.
I am going to put a Trickle charger on the battery and leave it on while it's stored. I plan on starting mine up every 2 to 3 weeks and let it warm up completely to keep things circulating.
By the way I am from Lockport & mine is a 98 with 21,000 miles on it.
Good luck & hope to see you next year at some cruise nights.
Steve
This is my first Corvette and the couple I bought mine from was from Rochester.
I was told to inflate the tires to about 40 lbs.
Fill the gas tank to full and put gas some stabilizer in it.
I am going to put a Trickle charger on the battery and leave it on while it's stored. I plan on starting mine up every 2 to 3 weeks and let it warm up completely to keep things circulating.
By the way I am from Lockport & mine is a 98 with 21,000 miles on it.
Good luck & hope to see you next year at some cruise nights.
Steve
Racer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 452
Likes: 0
From: Woodstock Ontario
Mine's gone for the winter already. Here's what I do and it's tips from many sources from the 'net. Mine goes into a no-heat, no hydro, no access storage shed 7 miles away -
Change oil & filter.
Add stabil to 1/2 tank of gas then fill the tank.
Tires to 40psi.
Clean car.
Remove battery, bring home, charge monthly.
Loosen roof clips (to relieve weatherstrip pressure) and place an orange note on the console saying, in large letters, that the roof is unclipped!
Mice are not an issue where I store but if they were I'd take precautions.
Cover car.
Feel sad.
Have rum & coke with the storage guy.
My car was fine last spring and all I had to do was lower tire pressures, clip roof (!!) and re-set the clock.
Change oil & filter.
Add stabil to 1/2 tank of gas then fill the tank.
Tires to 40psi.
Clean car.
Remove battery, bring home, charge monthly.
Loosen roof clips (to relieve weatherstrip pressure) and place an orange note on the console saying, in large letters, that the roof is unclipped!
Mice are not an issue where I store but if they were I'd take precautions.
Cover car.
Feel sad.
Have rum & coke with the storage guy.
My car was fine last spring and all I had to do was lower tire pressures, clip roof (!!) and re-set the clock.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Liverpool New York
40 lbs in each , battery tender or remove , clean car inside and out, un-latch roof (post note), protect from mice , gas additive, cover , cry , and have a drink .... Anything else ?? Did I miss anything ?
Martin R
Martin R
Racer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 452
Likes: 0
From: Woodstock Ontario
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Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 19,459
Likes: 48
From: Schaumburg IL
CI 7-8-9-11 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
You got it!As far as mice goes, that just depends on where you live etc.. I just put a couple of moth ***** underneath the engine bay on the floor..darn things stink to much to use anymore than a couple.
Only other thing I would remind you of, is if you decide to drive it during the winter ( I do sometimes when its dry and no salt on the roads) make sure you drive it long enough to get it good and warmed up, I normally drive at least 30 min or so just to get everything to operating temp
Mine is going away end of this week
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 11,467
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From: 972 and 405
-Alex
Racer
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 354
Likes: 0
From: West Townsend MA
Can't Wait For Spring
Martin,
I live in north central Massachusetts. It's a heavy snow region and this is what my house looks like from November right through to March. Once the snow stops, you have to wait for sand and salt to get swept of the roads. The car is stored in that garage anywhere from five to six months. Stabilizer in the gas and a battery tender does the job.
Remo
I live in north central Massachusetts. It's a heavy snow region and this is what my house looks like from November right through to March. Once the snow stops, you have to wait for sand and salt to get swept of the roads. The car is stored in that garage anywhere from five to six months. Stabilizer in the gas and a battery tender does the job.
Remo
Pro
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 539
Likes: 4
From: Rochester, NY
I'm also in NY and store my car in my non insulated garage
Here's what I do:
1) Run AC for 4 minutes
2) Wash car and vacuum interior
3) Oil change
4) Fill gas tank and add stabilizer (be sure to run car for 30 seconds after putting in fuel stabilizer)
5) Inflate tires about 5 PSI over
6) Remove targa and roll down windows slightly (helps wear & tear on weatherstripping)
7) Condition seats and weather stripping
8) Put carpet under tires
9) Put trickle charger on
10) Put car cover on
11) Place plastic under car (I do this even on cement floors)
12) Buy three bars of Irish Spring and cut into quarters and place around outside of car to keep mice away
13) Good night kiss and see you on April 1st
14) Remove collision insurance
Like someone else said - Each person has their own method
Here's what I do:
1) Run AC for 4 minutes
2) Wash car and vacuum interior
3) Oil change
4) Fill gas tank and add stabilizer (be sure to run car for 30 seconds after putting in fuel stabilizer)
5) Inflate tires about 5 PSI over
6) Remove targa and roll down windows slightly (helps wear & tear on weatherstripping)
7) Condition seats and weather stripping
8) Put carpet under tires
9) Put trickle charger on
10) Put car cover on
11) Place plastic under car (I do this even on cement floors)
12) Buy three bars of Irish Spring and cut into quarters and place around outside of car to keep mice away
13) Good night kiss and see you on April 1st
14) Remove collision insurance
Like someone else said - Each person has their own method
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 11,069
Likes: 1,287
From: Central Ma
Thanks ! We just picked this car up in Boston this last weekend ... Took it for a drive up to the Hamptons Saturday , then back home to Syracuse on Sunday .. Love it ! I was told to inflate the tires to around 50 lbs for winter storage, does that sound correct ? What cover do you recommend ? What is "Z application" and "multi-step polishing" ? I've always been a Harley guy , had the winter storage down to a science . Always did the oil change before storage and before the first run in the spring .. ( Overkill I'm Sure ). Was very big on the wax job's , but don't know anything about Z application ?? Thank you for your help .
Martin R
Martin R
I think an extra 5 lbs psi is fine, and I'm not sure that is even necessary.
I park on some pieces of rubber carpet padding, and again I question the need for it, but that's what I do.
I use an indoor dustop cover and I am very happy with it. Only goes on clean. I probably like it more for the added protection it gives it just in case anything bumps it as opposed to what a cover is thought to be for.
My polish routine is a PC 7424 polisher with orange pad/Menzerna SIP polish, followed by PC orange/ZPC polish, followed by PC white pad/ZPC polish, then multiple coats of Zaino sealants by hand. When I say Z products that = Zaino.
I do a thorough polishing on my wheels, and the whole package is a snap to maintain all year long.
Your oil change routine is way over kill IMO. Save your money, but do what you want.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Liverpool New York
Thanks to all ! I can see that this group is just what I'm looking for ..... I'll take all information and apply .. I thank you all for your help .
Is there any problems that I should keep an eye open for with the 2002 C5 ??? This one only has 7000 miles on it to date , so I don't think I should haver any issues yet , but what should I keep a heads up for ? I'll say this , the motor for the driver seat has already took a dump .. I just bought the car and the seat motor for the lumbar broke . Is this normal ?
Is there any problems that I should keep an eye open for with the 2002 C5 ??? This one only has 7000 miles on it to date , so I don't think I should haver any issues yet , but what should I keep a heads up for ? I'll say this , the motor for the driver seat has already took a dump .. I just bought the car and the seat motor for the lumbar broke . Is this normal ?
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 180
Likes: 1
Thanks to all ! I can see that this group is just what I'm looking for ..... I'll take all information and apply .. I thank you all for your help .
Is there any problems that I should keep an eye open for with the 2002 C5 ??? This one only has 7000 miles on it to date , so I don't think I should haver any issues yet , but what should I keep a heads up for ? I'll say this , the motor for the driver seat has already took a dump .. I just bought the car and the seat motor for the lumbar broke . Is this normal ?
Is there any problems that I should keep an eye open for with the 2002 C5 ??? This one only has 7000 miles on it to date , so I don't think I should haver any issues yet , but what should I keep a heads up for ? I'll say this , the motor for the driver seat has already took a dump .. I just bought the car and the seat motor for the lumbar broke . Is this normal ?
Congrats on the new vette, too bad you got it so late in the year. I am sure you will be watching the weather next spring for your first day out of hibernation.
JB.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,058
Likes: 5
From: Syracuse New York
MartinR good luck with your new vette. I am also in the Syracuse area. I plan on driving mine daily except for the really bad days. Just an FYI if don't already know, from May to Octoberish on tuesday nights, there is an impromptu car show. Everything from vettes to assorted classics show up.
Good Luck
Good Luck
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
I use a heavy duty poly tarp on the floor to keep the mositure awayform the Vette.
In the spring you would be suprised to see the moisture under the tarp and the concrete efflorescenceand this in a 30 year old concrete floor.;
I add air to the tires to the sidewall max.
I also go overboard and jack up the car and place a piece of 2" think extruded sytrofoam insulation under each tire. The sytrofoam deofrms to match the shape f the tire spreads the load and absolutely prevent sflatspotting.
Inside the car I place two large canisters of silica gel to control moisture and prevent mold.
I treat the weatherstrip with Aerospcae 303 protectant.
put in fuel stabilizer (SeaFoam) top up the tank
wash/wax, change the oil,
connect the battery float charger.
mouse trap and bait the garage.
turn on the heater an set it at 50 degrees.
In the spring you would be suprised to see the moisture under the tarp and the concrete efflorescenceand this in a 30 year old concrete floor.;
I add air to the tires to the sidewall max.
I also go overboard and jack up the car and place a piece of 2" think extruded sytrofoam insulation under each tire. The sytrofoam deofrms to match the shape f the tire spreads the load and absolutely prevent sflatspotting.
Inside the car I place two large canisters of silica gel to control moisture and prevent mold.
I treat the weatherstrip with Aerospcae 303 protectant.
put in fuel stabilizer (SeaFoam) top up the tank
wash/wax, change the oil,
connect the battery float charger.
mouse trap and bait the garage.
turn on the heater an set it at 50 degrees.