c5 winter storage
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4th Gear
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4
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c5 winter storage
This is my first corvette winter storage.Car will be stored for about 6-7 months..My question is this..Early this spring i had to add fuel system treatment from GM to help fix my dead fuel gauge issue..It seemed to work well all summer.i just done my oil change,should i put another bottle of fuel treatment, plus my fuel stabilizer in my topped up gas tank?
Pro
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 624
Likes: 1
From: Northern NJ
I don't know where you're from, but I don't store mine at all. I drive it a lot less, but I try to get it out there when the roads are clear. Probably the best thing you can do for your car is to keep driving it a bit.
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4
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Im in eastern canada....Driving in winter isnt an option. Black ice on streets allready...depressing!!! I just want to make sure,that by combining the two products while in storage isnt going to do more harm then good come spring time...
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,009
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From: Southeastern Michigan
I just drive it in the garage.
Make sure the tires are aired up, car is clean, oil change, disconnect negative battery connection.
Fuel stabilizer is not needed for 6-7 month storage.
If you were storing for over a year, then you might need fuel stabilizer
Make sure the tires are aired up, car is clean, oil change, disconnect negative battery connection.
Fuel stabilizer is not needed for 6-7 month storage.
If you were storing for over a year, then you might need fuel stabilizer
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Drifting
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 303
From: Charlotte Area North Carolina
I'm pretty fortunate. Live in Northern Virginia and winter weather typically allows me to get the cars out of the garage a couple times each winter and skip all the storage details. I don't go very far, just far enough to keep things loose.
I use a battery tender. Like mentioned in your thread, I'm right here and can check on it often. Would pull the batter out of the car and bring it indoor if she's going to sit all winter - be sure to store the battery on wood, in well ventilated area.
Might be just me but I jack my car up and put a jack stand under each frame support point to take the weight off the tires and avoid flat spots. Corvette Central also sells a concave wheel chock that does the same thing. Some people take the tires off. I don't really have a place to store the tires so I jack it up instead.
Better to drive it a couple of times each winter if you can. Don't have to go far.
Kevin
I use a battery tender. Like mentioned in your thread, I'm right here and can check on it often. Would pull the batter out of the car and bring it indoor if she's going to sit all winter - be sure to store the battery on wood, in well ventilated area.
Might be just me but I jack my car up and put a jack stand under each frame support point to take the weight off the tires and avoid flat spots. Corvette Central also sells a concave wheel chock that does the same thing. Some people take the tires off. I don't really have a place to store the tires so I jack it up instead.
Better to drive it a couple of times each winter if you can. Don't have to go far.
Kevin
Pro
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 730
Likes: 29
From: Knoxville, TN
I Feel Your Pain!
Here in the Chgo. area we have our share of snowy, cold and icey months. I used to use Sta-Bil but found Sea Foam a better choice. This can be added to the fuel tank or directly into the injectors or oil! It removes moisture and stabilizes fuel at the same time. I'd strongly suggest some type of battery trickle charger, brand is up to you and I'm sure there are many here who are willing to give you their opinion as to brand. I like to remove the weight off of my suspension but there are pros and cons to that just like anything else. Mine is kept in a heated garage but I am interested in those bubble wraps!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: The line waiting to see Santa Claus stretched all the way back to Terre Haute, and I was at the end, Indiana
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We're taking the wife's '01 and the '64 to a late-season car show this weekend.
The '64 will get the cover put on it next week, the wife's will get driven a couple of times next week, and my '99 will get driven until about Thanksgiving, then not until March or April. They will each spend 3-4 months on a battery tender (a must), and I use a splash of Stabil (50% strength), cover them up, and that's about all. The Sea Foam is pretty good if you have any moisture issues, but my garage is climate controlled and stays at around 55-60F.
The '64 will get the cover put on it next week, the wife's will get driven a couple of times next week, and my '99 will get driven until about Thanksgiving, then not until March or April. They will each spend 3-4 months on a battery tender (a must), and I use a splash of Stabil (50% strength), cover them up, and that's about all. The Sea Foam is pretty good if you have any moisture issues, but my garage is climate controlled and stays at around 55-60F.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 721
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From: Lexington Kentucky
Had a GM machanic tell me not driving all winter is one of the causes of leaky butt. He said some gaskets and seals only get oil on one half and that causes them to crack and swell and leak. I think I ll drive mine a couple times this winter on clear days. Does the computer forget everything if you take the battery out all winter, dont know about that one .
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 36
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From: Hoffman Estates IL
Here in NW Chicago 'burbs, I decided to pay for storage. With only a 2 car garage, I did not like scraping windows every morning on my commuter car to go to work. Heated building, with concrete floor. Tires pumped to 35 psi, removed battery and storing on my wooden work bench. Do not store on your garage floor. Will hook up Battery Tender few times this winter. Didn't like idea of a tender running under a covered car for 5 months with no way to keep an eye on it. No Sta-Bil. Left hood, doors, and rear hatch "popped" to take pressure off seals, but that was friend's idea, and not sure that's a big deal.
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It won't hurt to put fuel treatment in the gas tank. And I always put Sta-Bil in the gas when storing the car. May not be needed, but it's not that expensive and why take the chance.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,640
Likes: 83
From: . New York
Ya it does but its nothing essential. You'll have to set the clock...maybe the memory positions for the seat etc...radio presets (not sure on that one) and when you take it out in the spring it will need to be driven a bit (something like 40 miles or so) just to establish the table data for regular driving (fuel mixtures for economy...like that...not the wot performance...that stays) but again, that happens without any intervention from you.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
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From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
i used to use Stabil for winter storage until I read that SeaFoam which is a fuel system cleaner also works as as fuel stabilizer. Now i just add the SeaFoam in the fall, drive for 20 minutes and store it.
It gets stabilized and cleaned while it hibernates.....
Pump up the air in the tires to the side wall max, put some Armorall or other Uv protectant like Aerospace 303 on the weather stripping, change the oil, and use a battery float tender. (21st Century version of a trickle charger .It has a computer chip that matches current drain)
If you are really ****, park on top of 4 pieces of 1 inch think extruded styrofoam board to totally eliminate the possibility of flat spotting the tires.
It gets stabilized and cleaned while it hibernates.....
Pump up the air in the tires to the side wall max, put some Armorall or other Uv protectant like Aerospace 303 on the weather stripping, change the oil, and use a battery float tender. (21st Century version of a trickle charger .It has a computer chip that matches current drain)
If you are really ****, park on top of 4 pieces of 1 inch think extruded styrofoam board to totally eliminate the possibility of flat spotting the tires.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 643
Likes: 40
From: Wauregan CT
My 4-5 month winter storage plans are basic...10 oz bottle of Stabil in a full tank run a few miles to distribute through the fuel system, then wash/dry and cover the car in my garage. Keep battery tender on all winter...battery remains in car....Done!
I want to know why on several other steps some people are doing...namely:
Why airing up the tires beyond normal?
Why the concern of flat spotting? First short drive and that would go away I think...yes?
Why the concern about door/hood/hatch seals being compressed...is the material that intolerant?
Talk to me..
Bob
I want to know why on several other steps some people are doing...namely:
Why airing up the tires beyond normal?
Why the concern of flat spotting? First short drive and that would go away I think...yes?
Why the concern about door/hood/hatch seals being compressed...is the material that intolerant?
Talk to me..
Bob
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From: SE Pennsylvania
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Winter woes ?
Spring's almost here with each passing day !
