Quick ? on storing Vette
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Joined: May 2011
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Quick ? on storing Vette
I'm getting ready to store my vette. This will be my first year. A guy told me that before i hook-up my battery tender i should un-hook the "Negative Side" of my battery. He couldn't explain why, and for the life of me i don't know why either. Does anyone know if this should be done?
It doesn't say anything about doing this on the instructions for my C-Tech.
All i planned on doing was, oil change, parking on 4 carpet squares, hooking up my battery tender, taking the face plate off my stereo and the flash drives just incase of easy theft, covering the wheels with heavy-ply trash bags, and putting 2 car covers on since i have 2. One that has a very soft inner liner and one that will be good for bad weather conditions. I don't have a garage, but i have one of those carports thats made out of material simuler to a tent. Thanks for any answers. Sky
It doesn't say anything about doing this on the instructions for my C-Tech.
All i planned on doing was, oil change, parking on 4 carpet squares, hooking up my battery tender, taking the face plate off my stereo and the flash drives just incase of easy theft, covering the wheels with heavy-ply trash bags, and putting 2 car covers on since i have 2. One that has a very soft inner liner and one that will be good for bad weather conditions. I don't have a garage, but i have one of those carports thats made out of material simuler to a tent. Thanks for any answers. Sky
Racer
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 351
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From: Laurel Maryland
St. Jude Donor '11
I do not disconnect the negative. I just hook up a battery tender. I think you are doing everything good with the covers since it is outside. I do not think I would put it on carpet pieces or plastic bag the wheels. Moisture could build up inside the bags and not escape. The carpet pieces could get wet and not dry out. Maybe four pieces of wood if you do not want it sitting on concrete for a long period. Some over inflate the tires a little and put sta-bil in the gas. I try to get out and start it up at least once a month. Mine is going into hibernation soon.
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No need to disconnect the negative side of the battery. And 
about the carpet squares and trash bags on the wheels - especially since the car will be outside.
about the carpet squares and trash bags on the wheels - especially since the car will be outside.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,453
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From: SC
I'm just curious why some people shut down their cars for the winter. I live in the Northeast and although I don't drive it in snow, sleet etc. I still may take it out on a nice , dry day just to run it. Mine is garage kept however. Can't you just cover it and be able to remove the cover and take it out now and then, or do you get that much snow and ice?
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
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From: Driftwood PA
I'm just curious why some people shut down their cars for the winter. I live in the Northeast and although I don't drive it in snow, sleet etc. I still may take it out on a nice , dry day just to run it. Mine is garage kept however. Can't you just cover it and be able to remove the cover and take it out now and then, or do you get that much snow and ice?
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Navigator
Joined: May 2011
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I'm just curious why some people shut down their cars for the winter. I live in the Northeast and although I don't drive it in snow, sleet etc. I still may take it out on a nice , dry day just to run it. Mine is garage kept however. Can't you just cover it and be able to remove the cover and take it out now and then, or do you get that much snow and ice?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Bel Air Md
I do not disconnect the negative. I just hook up a battery tender. I think you are doing everything good with the covers since it is outside. I do not think I would put it on carpet pieces or plastic bag the wheels. Moisture could build up inside the bags and not escape. The carpet pieces could get wet and not dry out. Maybe four pieces of wood if you do not want it sitting on concrete for a long period. Some over inflate the tires a little and put sta-bil in the gas. I try to get out and start it up at least once a month. Mine is going into hibernation soon.
THe only time you disconnect the negative terminal is when you are removing or working on the car. Reason, with the negative still connected, if you happen to ground a wrench, WOW sparks. With the negative off, and the positive still connected, this will not happen. Sta Bil is a good choice and make sure the tank if full.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,453
Likes: 347
From: SC
Is it a car? Do you drive your daily driver on the roads after a storm? I'm not saying I have to drive it on wet salty roads, but here in NJ the roads aren't snow covered all winter.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: SC
My problem is i,m a over the road trucker and the odds of me being home on a perfect day to drive it are slim. Plus they put tons of salt on the roads as soon as someone farts. They only plow the main roads which leaves big humps of frozen ice and snow you have to drive over to get onto a side street. Mine has been lowered so it would be like driving a snow plow. I bought mine from my neighbor who was the original owner and garaged it. It has only been rained on twice when a surprise shower came up and started before he got all the way home. Thanks for all the answers, i appreciate it,....Sky
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Indianapolis Indiana
St. Jude Donor '13, '15, ‘18, '21
I just put my 98 up for the year.
Took it out for a little drive, ran an errand and went to the spray booth. Topped off the tank with fresh fuel and put a can of sea foam in and 10 ounces or so of sta bil, let the car run for a while and then put it on the rack and covered it up. I took the battery out but that is also partially because the red top optima died so I had to switch the Duracell out of another car back and forth.
Took it out for a little drive, ran an errand and went to the spray booth. Topped off the tank with fresh fuel and put a can of sea foam in and 10 ounces or so of sta bil, let the car run for a while and then put it on the rack and covered it up. I took the battery out but that is also partially because the red top optima died so I had to switch the Duracell out of another car back and forth.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2011
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From: Southeastern Michigan
I'm just curious why some people shut down their cars for the winter. I live in the Northeast and although I don't drive it in snow, sleet etc. I still may take it out on a nice , dry day just to run it. Mine is garage kept however. Can't you just cover it and be able to remove the cover and take it out now and then, or do you get that much snow and ice?
Salt = Rust
If not on the body, then under the body
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
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18
I put Battery Tenders on all my vehicles all Winter, and never disconnect the batteries. I charge 2 C5s, a C2, a HD Road King, a 1953 Indian, and 2 mowers.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 24
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From: Amherst NY
I agree about salt once salt is put on streets car is in sleep mode til end of April or May.Regarding storage mine is in a garage plastic down on concrete floor, battery tender hooked up.Dryer sheets in glove box and seat area, slice up some irish spring soap and put in plastic tray on floor and rear hatch area,sheet and soap for any mice etc. that may try to get in car,haven't see any mice in garage yet but playing it safe.Put in sea foam 1/2 the amount with gas tank below 1/2 fill gas tank and put in remander of sea foam. I don't start car until spring.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,146
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From: Edmonton Alberta, Canada
I hail from the land of ice and snow...only 2 seasons here..winter and waiting on winter. It totally dosent pay to have insurance on a car that in the rare exception there is a nice day with no snow on the roads so once I put her to sleep its for the duration. (Oh yes I am from Alberta, Canada). Greetings, Rob
Oh yes quick question to original post, in your canvas garage any chance of snow load collapsing it as it is very common issue here, so be awares.
Oh yes quick question to original post, in your canvas garage any chance of snow load collapsing it as it is very common issue here, so be awares.
Last edited by El original; Nov 7, 2011 at 12:14 AM.