Recommendations on winter storage options
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Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Gilbertsville PA
Recommendations on winter storage options
I'll be storing my 2004 C5 in the Garage for the majority of the winter, starting it weekly and taking short runs on nice days. I want a C5 fitted car cover, does not need to be an all weather version as the car will be in the garage, also I want a cover that will not scratch the car with putting it on and taking it off. Finally, I am looking for a set of tire cradles.
I would appreciate any recommendations on brands or experiences, I've seen so many different bands and claims I don't know what choice to make.
Ty.
I would appreciate any recommendations on brands or experiences, I've seen so many different bands and claims I don't know what choice to make.
Ty.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 443
Likes: 0
From: Niagara Region
I'll be storing my 2004 C5 in the Garage for the majority of the winter, starting it weekly and taking short runs on nice days. I want a C5 fitted car cover, does not need to be an all weather version as the car will be in the garage, also I want a cover that will not scratch the car with putting it on and taking it off. Finally, I am looking for a set of tire cradles.
I would appreciate any recommendations on brands or experiences, I've seen so many different bands and claims I don't know what choice to make.
Ty.
I would appreciate any recommendations on brands or experiences, I've seen so many different bands and claims I don't know what choice to make.
Ty.
Disconnect neg. battery cable and do not start for short periods of time over the winter. I do not start mine at all from Nov to May.
Same climate as you.
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At Bloomington Gold this year, I bought a cover from West Coast Corvettes called Intro-Tech. Light weight, good fit and no scratches on the paint in four months of use.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 699
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From: Richfield MN
I use a Noah cover too. I put a Battery Tender on the battery, the cover on the car and it stays that way until spring. I usually don't even take the cover off until I'm ready to fire it up first thing in the spring.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 866
Likes: 4
From: Iowa
I take the battery clear out of the car & and put it on a battery tender, then I stuff the car full of dryer sheets (to keep critters out) and then I put old bed sheets on the car prior to using the car cover.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,549
Likes: 2
From: Cambridge Illinois
Starting it periodically will gradually drain the battery unless you go out on at least a 30 to 45 minute run. You will need to do that to get the condensation from the cold start to cook out also.
Just get a $22 Schumacker 1.7 amp tender from Walmart. It comes with the needed connection and will keep the battery at top charge.
Add some StaBil on your last ride to get it through the system and injectors. I will keep the gas from going bad and cleans the injectors also.
Durning a storage seminar at Corvette Funfest last year a Goodyear engineer said that it was not necessary to doing anything with the tires except inflate them to specs.
The old trick of putting the car on jack stands with the tires at 50% of rating is not needed by modern tires. I store 3 Vettes for 6 to 7 months for a number of years and never a flat spot. Never put any thing under them but the garage is heated.
I use cheap covers $24 from Farm and Fleet. The one hard thing about a stored car is the overwhelming desire to use it as a table for stuff.
Here's three under cover. You can see the headlight of the fourth in the lower right didn't have a cover yet last fall when this was taken.
Just get a $22 Schumacker 1.7 amp tender from Walmart. It comes with the needed connection and will keep the battery at top charge.
Add some StaBil on your last ride to get it through the system and injectors. I will keep the gas from going bad and cleans the injectors also.
Durning a storage seminar at Corvette Funfest last year a Goodyear engineer said that it was not necessary to doing anything with the tires except inflate them to specs.
The old trick of putting the car on jack stands with the tires at 50% of rating is not needed by modern tires. I store 3 Vettes for 6 to 7 months for a number of years and never a flat spot. Never put any thing under them but the garage is heated.
I use cheap covers $24 from Farm and Fleet. The one hard thing about a stored car is the overwhelming desire to use it as a table for stuff.
Here's three under cover. You can see the headlight of the fourth in the lower right didn't have a cover yet last fall when this was taken.
Last edited by lh4x4; Sep 25, 2010 at 11:43 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,876
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From: Jersey Shore Exit 98
I'll be storing my 2004 C5 in the Garage for the majority of the winter, starting it weekly and taking short runs on nice days. I want a C5 fitted car cover, does not need to be an all weather version as the car will be in the garage, also I want a cover that will not scratch the car with putting it on and taking it off. Finally, I am looking for a set of tire cradles.
I would appreciate any recommendations on brands or experiences, I've seen so many different bands and claims I don't know what choice to make.
Ty.
I would appreciate any recommendations on brands or experiences, I've seen so many different bands and claims I don't know what choice to make.
Ty.
I use a tender when she sits for more then a few weeks.
G/L
Jim
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Joined: Aug 1999
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From: SE Pennsylvania
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Oldtimer
Wintering over
Good advice above, also I bought a really nice fitting indoor corvette C5 cover from mid-America and I wash and wax it prior to the last trip into the garage for the winter. I don't use the car with snow and all of the acidic rock salt and other ice melting stuff put down by PennDOT. But every year I pumped the tires up to 30 PSI on the DIC and by my digital guage. And two years ago I met a guy at Corvettes at Carlisle who said if I stored the car on rubber mats and carpet, I wouldn't lose any air pressure.
So last year I stopped at Home Depot and bought four of the cheap rubber mats made from old tires & four carpet mats 24 X36 but them down and pulled the car up onto them. And there shy sat for four months, Crazy as it sounds, the tires read 30 PSI on the DIC and with my guage? Take it for what's it's worth.
So last year I stopped at Home Depot and bought four of the cheap rubber mats made from old tires & four carpet mats 24 X36 but them down and pulled the car up onto them. And there shy sat for four months, Crazy as it sounds, the tires read 30 PSI on the DIC and with my guage? Take it for what's it's worth.
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From: Oklahoma City
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For indoor storage these are the best covers http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-p...over-sale.html
Don't settle for a 1 size fits all cover. These hug your car
Don't settle for a 1 size fits all cover. These hug your car
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,028
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From: GRAYSLAKE IL
Oldtimer
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Wintered my '99 FRC for the first time this past yr. Highly suggest using a trickle charger like a Ctek 3300. I like to drive mine when the weather permits being careful not to use the car cover if the car got dirty...
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 443
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From: Niagara Region
Iam no real expert but do have lots of knowledge when it comes to storing cars, boats , sleds, atvs, etc
Shorten the life of a battery - put a charger on it. Take the neg. cable off thats it, end of story.
Always and I mean always put Stabil in the gas prior to storage.
Always change oil just prior to storing.
These 3 points are most critical.
Lots of other little things can be done but these are the most important.
Shorten the life of a battery - put a charger on it. Take the neg. cable off thats it, end of story.
Always and I mean always put Stabil in the gas prior to storage.
Always change oil just prior to storing.
These 3 points are most critical.
Lots of other little things can be done but these are the most important.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,606
Likes: 355
From: Rochester New York
Don't start it weekly Unless you plan on driving the car for at least a half hour. You're better off letting it sit all winter long.
Battery Maintainer Schumaker has a 1.5a battery maintainer for about $25. Find it on Amazon.com, Advance Auto, maybe Walmart. Plug her in and let the car be all winter long.
Fuel Stabilizer Stabil... put her in the tank, top the tank off, done.
Oil Change Drain the old oil to take all the deposits, acids, and moisture out. Fresh oil in and store it.
That's really all the big things. Some people put a tarp under the car as a moisture barrier. Some people stuff rags in the intake and wiper cowl to keep rodents out. Drier sheets inside to absorb smells and keep it fresh. Window open a crack. Tires up to 40psi to help prevent flat spots. Rolling the car front to back to help prevent flat spots. Being a mechanic I fear for rodents, so I do the drier sheets and I might do moth ***** under the car this winter.
Battery Maintainer Schumaker has a 1.5a battery maintainer for about $25. Find it on Amazon.com, Advance Auto, maybe Walmart. Plug her in and let the car be all winter long.
Fuel Stabilizer Stabil... put her in the tank, top the tank off, done.
Oil Change Drain the old oil to take all the deposits, acids, and moisture out. Fresh oil in and store it.
That's really all the big things. Some people put a tarp under the car as a moisture barrier. Some people stuff rags in the intake and wiper cowl to keep rodents out. Drier sheets inside to absorb smells and keep it fresh. Window open a crack. Tires up to 40psi to help prevent flat spots. Rolling the car front to back to help prevent flat spots. Being a mechanic I fear for rodents, so I do the drier sheets and I might do moth ***** under the car this winter.
No pests are gunna make a nest with that baby.
