Winter Storage
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 730
Likes: 29
From: Knoxville, TN
Winter Storage
Those of us who live where the snow will be flying soon need to store their cars for the winter. What do you do to winterize your car? Anyone here of some chemically treated garage floor mats that are chemically treated to prevent dryrot?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 7,604
Likes: 8
From: Belleville Il
Change the oil,,add some fuel stabilizer,, add a few extra pounds of air and hook up a battery tender and you're good to go. Take it out for a good drive whenever the snow is off the road,,and get the oil temp fully warmed up and drive her for a while. I drive mine pretty regularly all winter,,only letting her sit out the nasty stuff. Lots more fun than just sitting there thinking about it!!!
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 10,789
Likes: 894
From: Northern Illinois
Oldtimer
I change the oil, add fuel stabilizer, over inflate my tires, and disconnect the negative battery terminal. (I've stored my car for 11-years using this method and it always fires right up in the spring.) I also put about 10 bars of Irish Spring soap in the interior to keep the mice away. I've never had a problem with the fury little critters and my car smells shower fresh in the spring. 
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,771
Likes: 141
From: Kaukauna WI
Nope. Really no need for it today. Tires are much better quality, and your suspension will be just fine... I simply drive my Z onto some thick mats to keep the tires off the cold floor, but even that's overkill.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,618
Likes: 241
From: Russell Ontario
St. Jude Donor '09
On both of mine ,I just use fuel stabiliser in the tanks and a C-tEK charger , close the door and in the spring light them up and go. I don't see the point on changing oil or put it on jack stands or inflate the tires. Really if you think of what car dealers do to cars that are sitting on the lots before you buy them, they do nothing and cars sit there for weeks and months . All a big mith, Ron
Last edited by RonR80; Oct 18, 2011 at 08:46 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,060
Likes: 85
From: Richmond VA Everyone should have a VetteGuard
Wash, some wax, change the oil, gas stabilizer, extra air in the tires, put down a big sheet of plastic on the floor tape down the egdes and park it on some nice carpet squares I got at Wally World (overkill but makes me feel good)
dryer sheets around inside and put on the tender, cover it it up and wait 
for spring
dryer sheets around inside and put on the tender, cover it it up and wait for spring
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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
Change the oil,,add some fuel stabilizer,, add a few extra pounds of air and hook up a battery tender and you're good to go. Take it out for a good drive whenever the snow is off the road,,and get the oil temp fully warmed up and drive her for a while. I drive mine pretty regularly all winter,,only letting her sit out the nasty stuff. Lots more fun than just sitting there thinking about it!!!
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 730
Likes: 29
From: Knoxville, TN
Winter Storage
I have had a lot of replies stating how well the dryer sheets work in keeping insects and rodents away!
Does anyone know about the pads to place under the tires to prevent damage????
Does anyone know about the pads to place under the tires to prevent damage????
Racer
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 255
Likes: 0
From: Beckley WV
I parked mine last year on a tarp and placed 1" thick insulation board cut 2'x2' under each tire, maybe unnecessary but made me feel better. As others have said I over inflated tires, dryer sheets under hood and in exhaust tips as well as scattered around exterior, Irish spring and baking soda in cabin, removed battery (no heat in storage unit), Sta-bill in a full tank of gas, and finally put a cover on her. Fired right up this past spring. A forum member (vetteman jack) sent me a word doc last year with storage info, if you provide me your email I can send it to you. By the way I am pretty sure I had one of the best smelling storage units on the east coast, this according to my unit neighbors.
Administrator
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From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
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Here's what I do:
- Thoroughly detail car, inside and out.
- Put down some old carpet squares under each tire.
- Add Sta-Bil to gas tank and fill up with gas.
- Add a few pounds of air in tires.
- Connect Battery Tender Plus to battery.
- Change oil and filter.
- Put car cover over car.
- Wait for spring.
- Thoroughly detail car, inside and out.
- Put down some old carpet squares under each tire.
- Add Sta-Bil to gas tank and fill up with gas.
- Add a few pounds of air in tires.
- Connect Battery Tender Plus to battery.
- Change oil and filter.
- Put car cover over car.
- Wait for spring.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,220
Likes: 6
From: www.Z16.org North/West Pennsylvania
Best method I've found for unheated garage storage. The Car Jacket or Car Bag.
The car comes out in the spring, just like the day you put it away. The rotors aren't even rusty.
Note: Never cover or wrap a car with anything plastic or something that doesn't breath...unless you use desiccant. You will ruin your car. You have to use desiccant to suck up any moisture when using plastic. I use the 10# can that is good for two years of storage.
The car comes out in the spring, just like the day you put it away. The rotors aren't even rusty.
Note: Never cover or wrap a car with anything plastic or something that doesn't breath...unless you use desiccant. You will ruin your car. You have to use desiccant to suck up any moisture when using plastic. I use the 10# can that is good for two years of storage.
Last edited by garage-ghost; Oct 19, 2011 at 11:45 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 921
Likes: 134
From: Chicago Illinois
Les
Racer
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 323
Likes: 9
Best method I've found for unheated garage storage. The Car Jacket or Car Bag.
The car comes out in the spring, just like the day you put it away. The rotors aren't even rusty.
Note: Never cover or wrap a car with anything plastic or something that doesn't breath...unless you use desiccant. You will ruin your car. You have to use desiccant to suck up any moisture when using plastic. I use the 10# can that is good for two years of storage.
The car comes out in the spring, just like the day you put it away. The rotors aren't even rusty.
Note: Never cover or wrap a car with anything plastic or something that doesn't breath...unless you use desiccant. You will ruin your car. You have to use desiccant to suck up any moisture when using plastic. I use the 10# can that is good for two years of storage.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,220
Likes: 6
From: www.Z16.org North/West Pennsylvania
I also do the normal things like add air to the tires, fuel stabilizer, battery tender, dryer sheets. But I have to say after 30+ years of storing cars this is the best method I have found for an unheated garage and I have tried most of them. 
