winter storage?
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
winter storage?
hi guys im new to this site i just found it a couple of days ago. I have a question to ask you about winter. I live in south idaho and winters just around the corner. I am planing to store my sweetheart (1998 corvette) its my first year owning it i bought it in August. Im planing to fill the tank and add sta-bil fuel stabilizer, put a plastic tarp underneath , put drier sheets and moth ***** around it ( for the mice), and cover it with a car cover. Its going to be in a garage but no heater. I have a small heater that i might plug in once in a while. I also plan on turning it on once a and awhile. Is this a good idea? Someone told me that storing a car isn't a good idea but i don't want to drive it in the salt and snow. If storing is a good idea then am i missing anything?
Last edited by c5vettepoison; Nov 21, 2011 at 02:16 AM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Just a few thoughts.
Make sure the paintwork is clean before you cover it. I put swirl marks on my sons Camaro by covering it when dirty.
Disconnect the battery if you dont have a battery tender. Make sure you turn off the radio security feature before you do or it will lock up. You'll need to reset the memory funtions when you fire up again but otherwise no problem.
The runflats are quite firm sidewalls. Any flatspots should work out quite quickly. I haven't over-wintered my car but there were no issues when it was on the boat in transit for 2 months+.
I wouldn't turn it over but JMHO. If you do, it'll give you chance to respot it so you dont get flatspots.
Make sure the paintwork is clean before you cover it. I put swirl marks on my sons Camaro by covering it when dirty.
Disconnect the battery if you dont have a battery tender. Make sure you turn off the radio security feature before you do or it will lock up. You'll need to reset the memory funtions when you fire up again but otherwise no problem.
The runflats are quite firm sidewalls. Any flatspots should work out quite quickly. I haven't over-wintered my car but there were no issues when it was on the boat in transit for 2 months+.
I wouldn't turn it over but JMHO. If you do, it'll give you chance to respot it so you dont get flatspots.
Last edited by DeeGee; Nov 21, 2011 at 02:13 AM.
Resident moron
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,746
Likes: 20
From: Assachusetts
Storing it is fine. Many many people do it every year. I've stored mine for the last 9 years no problems.
Your plan sounds fine except I would say:
Don't bother with dryer sheets. I'm not sure where this one came from, but chances are that the mice will make nests out of your dryer sheets (which has happened many times). Mothballs are good though.
Stabil in the tank is good, I like to put in some Techron as well (let it sit in the tank all winter and clean up the sender, solved my erratic gas gauge issue).
Don't run it, no point. Put a trickle charger on it though if it's gonna be more than a month or two as your battery will die otherwise.
I put big 4lb tubs of desiccant in my over the winter as well. A little moisture can form some nice mold by spring.
That's pretty much good enough along with covering it of course. I don't bother with a tarp under it, but I park it on asphalt.
Dope
Your plan sounds fine except I would say:
Don't bother with dryer sheets. I'm not sure where this one came from, but chances are that the mice will make nests out of your dryer sheets (which has happened many times). Mothballs are good though.
Stabil in the tank is good, I like to put in some Techron as well (let it sit in the tank all winter and clean up the sender, solved my erratic gas gauge issue).
Don't run it, no point. Put a trickle charger on it though if it's gonna be more than a month or two as your battery will die otherwise.
I put big 4lb tubs of desiccant in my over the winter as well. A little moisture can form some nice mold by spring.
That's pretty much good enough along with covering it of course. I don't bother with a tarp under it, but I park it on asphalt.
Dope
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,794
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
Pump up the tires to their side wall max.
If running other than runflats buy/find some extruded foam insulation and put a 24"x24" piece under each tire. The insulation will comress, take the shape of the tire and cradle it, spreading the weight and eliminating any chance of flatspots.
Parking on a tarp helps keep moisture away....
The desicant is helpful.
Use a battery float charger... Harbor Freight sells one for under $9.
I like to spray a little armor all or equivalent on all the weather strip.
You have the rest covered.
The heat is an added bonus... for you. Many of us have sat out in the garage admiring our Vettes over the first winter. Those who will not admit to that speak about winter projects.....
If running other than runflats buy/find some extruded foam insulation and put a 24"x24" piece under each tire. The insulation will comress, take the shape of the tire and cradle it, spreading the weight and eliminating any chance of flatspots.
Parking on a tarp helps keep moisture away....
The desicant is helpful.
Use a battery float charger... Harbor Freight sells one for under $9.
I like to spray a little armor all or equivalent on all the weather strip.
You have the rest covered.
The heat is an added bonus... for you. Many of us have sat out in the garage admiring our Vettes over the first winter. Those who will not admit to that speak about winter projects.....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,724
Likes: 2
From: Holland Landing Ontario
I highly recommend a float charger. I have used a Battery Tender for years. These are available from most motorcycle dealers. Do not start the car until spring. The condensation created from starting a car for short periods in freezing weather will do more harm than good. I do all the other things you mentioned, without the dryer sheets.
Oh, pics are mandatory!
Oh, pics are mandatory!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 787
Likes: 1
From: New Baltimore Michigan
battery tender, fill the tank and park it its a car!!! do agree also wash before covering
I Have lived in michigan my whole life never used sta-bil or any of the winterizing crap have owner many classic cars, snowmobiles , motorcycles ect. and have never had ANY issuse ever its just over the winter 2- 2/12 months of real cold weather the other 2-3 months are what 40- 50 degress
You car is not going to crumble away
As for mice never had a problem if you live on a farm or near feilds you may need to do something for that
JMO
Steve
I Have lived in michigan my whole life never used sta-bil or any of the winterizing crap have owner many classic cars, snowmobiles , motorcycles ect. and have never had ANY issuse ever its just over the winter 2- 2/12 months of real cold weather the other 2-3 months are what 40- 50 degress
You car is not going to crumble away
As for mice never had a problem if you live on a farm or near feilds you may need to do something for that
JMO
Steve
Last edited by machz800ps; Nov 21, 2011 at 11:43 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 33
From: GRAYSLAKE IL
Oldtimer
St. Jude Donor '13
Battery tender (CTEK 3300). Have a cover but don't use it( like looking at it uncovered)use(calif duster) drive it when roads are dry & mostly salt free. Never used Sta-bil, Shell high test & Textron ever so often. IMO, the C 5's seem to run stronger in cold weather!
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
7 Bolt-On Upgrades From Extreme Online Store to Level Up Your C6 Corvette
Pouria Savadkouei
How Likely Are These Five 2027 Corvette Rumors to Be True?
Brett Foote
9 Best Corvettes You Can Buy for Half Price (& 1 You Should NEVER Buy!)
Joe Kucinski
8 Very Best Corvettes of Amelia Island 2026
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 WORST Corvette Engineering Failures of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
10 Records the C8 Corvette Generation Has SMASHED (& 1 Glaring Failure)
Joe Kucinski
7 Wildest Corvette Concepts Ever Made
Brett Foote
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,616
Likes: 241
From: Russell Ontario
St. Jude Donor '09
Agreed with most but never touched the tires, a charger is a good thing if not just dis-connect the batt. Sta-bil , can't hurt but not ness. Bounce sheets , well they say mice don't like the smell. I do the same for both vettes and never had any issues. Keep it simple.Ron
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 366,682
Likes: 24,422
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Get yourself a batter tender to keep the battery in shape. I put old carpet squares under my tires to keep them off the cement and put a little extra air in the tires too. I wouldn't worry too much about the small heater - unless you plan to do some mods over the winter.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 671
Likes: 10
From: Tulsa OK
I would suggest this order of preparation:
1) fresh oil and filter (run briefly before parking)
2) styrofoam (1/2" to 1" thick) under the tires & air them up to the tire manufacturer max.
3) connect battery "tender" and leave the battery connected
Use the heaters all the time or not at all and don't start the engine unless you can do 30+ miles before returning to storage. JMHO
Okie
1) fresh oil and filter (run briefly before parking)
2) styrofoam (1/2" to 1" thick) under the tires & air them up to the tire manufacturer max.
3) connect battery "tender" and leave the battery connected
Use the heaters all the time or not at all and don't start the engine unless you can do 30+ miles before returning to storage. JMHO
Okie
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,802
Likes: 0
From: monroeville pa
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
Sta-bil in the gas tank and a battery tender plus add some more air to the tires make them 35 pounds each then cover the car and forget it till april or may.
