Winter storage
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Joined: May 2012
Posts: 76
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From: Washington court house Ohio
Winter storage
I just bought my first corvette. 97 great condition 27,000 miles. I will not be driving it in the winter. I have a detached garage fully insulated (except the garage door). Is there anything I need to do besides park it and put the cover on? It does not have heat or A/C.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,682
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From: Memphis Tennessee
If you are putting her up, treat the fuel and hook up a battery tender.
I would also suggest cleaning EVERYTHING very well, putting a few charcoal brickettes in a bowl and placing them in the floorboard and rear area.
Now, that all said, I would just drive the damn thing
Racer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 279
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From: MN
If you are putting her up, treat the fuel and hook up a battery tender.
I would also suggest cleaning EVERYTHING very well, putting a few charcoal brickettes in a bowl and placing them in the floorboard and rear area.
Now, that all said, I would just drive the damn thing
I live in Minnesota and I will be driving mine all year long as it will be my only vehicle! I actually am pretty excited to see how it performs in snow and I will be sure to post pictures of it covered in the white fluff to rile up most people here!
Corvette Cowboy
Joined: May 2008
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From: Cen-Cal Broke A$$ Kalifornia
I just bought my first corvette. 97 great condition 27,000 miles. I will not be driving it in the winter. I have a detached garage fully insulated (except the garage door). Is there anything I need to do besides park it and put the cover on? It does not have heat or A/C.
Pops
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Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Northern Illinois
Oldtimer
I just bought my first corvette. 97 great condition 27,000 miles. I will not be driving it in the winter. I have a detached garage fully insulated (except the garage door). Is there anything I need to do besides park it and put the cover on? It does not have heat or A/C.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: GRAYSLAKE IL
Oldtimer
St. Jude Donor '13
CTEK 3300 trickle charger if u have elect in your garage. I also live in the snow belt but take out the vette when the roads are dry & pretty much salt free. I do a yearly oil/filter change ea spring. I like to add some Techron to the gas tank. U can add insulation to your garage door (foam sheets from your home center cut to size). p.s. maybe some mouse traps in the garage just in case. p.p.s. I wouldn't worry about flat spotting on the radial tires, put some extra lbs of air in the tires.
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Joined: May 2012
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From: Washington court house Ohio
Thanks for the suggestions. Honestly the mice are my greatest concern. It's a really nice garage but last year we found mice had gotten in our Christmas tree box. I put traps out and they never went off so I'd say there are none present. But you never know. I've heard horror stories about them chewing wires up. And I am driving the crap out of it just wondering if I needed to get things ready in my garage for it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2004
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From: Frederick Md
I've stored mine for 12-years from the end of October into April. I change the oil, fill the gas tank, add Stabil, and over inflate the tires. I also disconnect the negative battery terminal. I've never used a charger and my car has always fired up the first time. I put dryer sheets and about 10 bars of Irish Spring soap in my car to keep the mice out. Obviously, you want to make sure your car is clean and covered.
Bob G
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All good tips. A few more...
When I lived in Chicago, I used to store mine for the winter as well. I had a cement floor in a non-heated garage. As a result, I would lay down a sheet of plastic drop cloth and then install 4 of the rubber 14" square floor tiles they sell at Home Depot. I would then over-inflate the tires a few pounds and then drive the car onto the rubber floor tiles which would then raise the tires off the plastic/floor and at the same time hold down the plastic. This helps prevent moisture condensation.
I would throw in those moisture packets in the interior and then hook the car up to my battery charger and put on the car cover.
I also like the idea of Irish Spring or something else to deter the mice. They like warm cars in the winter.
When I lived in Chicago, I used to store mine for the winter as well. I had a cement floor in a non-heated garage. As a result, I would lay down a sheet of plastic drop cloth and then install 4 of the rubber 14" square floor tiles they sell at Home Depot. I would then over-inflate the tires a few pounds and then drive the car onto the rubber floor tiles which would then raise the tires off the plastic/floor and at the same time hold down the plastic. This helps prevent moisture condensation.
I would throw in those moisture packets in the interior and then hook the car up to my battery charger and put on the car cover.
I also like the idea of Irish Spring or something else to deter the mice. They like warm cars in the winter.
1st Gear
Joined: Jul 2012
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Stingray_21
I agree with the person from Chicago...his recommendation is what we do in cold Ontario Canada. Many of us also put a gas additive in the fuel tank or at minimum a gas line antifreeze to keep moisture out of the tank and fuel system. Not a bad idea to start it a few times throughout the winter... Cheers !
Pro
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 671
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From: Tulsa OK
Something that a friend of mine swears by is Moth ***** in the car and scatered around on the floor. I have no first hand experience but he has never had a problem with his RV's or travel trailers.
Anyone else heard of this?
OBD
Anyone else heard of this?
OBD
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Somewhere in Mo
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
I have used moth ***** in my PU and it worked for me. I also put them in my shed.
I recommend putting them in the garage around the car but maybe not inside unless he finds out he needs them.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2012
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From: LAUREL MD
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Here is what I do when I get ready to put mine up for the winter:
* Change the oil and filter
* Put Sta-Bil in the gas tank and fill the tank up
* Put a piece of carpet under each tire and add maybe 5 extra pounds of air to the tires.
* If you have any pest problems (mice, etc.) you might want to put something in the car to keep them away.
* A good car cover will help keep the dust off the painted surfaces - just get one that breathes well and is soft on the surface that touches the paint.
* Get a good battery tender (something like a CTEK or Battery Tender Plus). Will keep the battery in top shape.
I have some Word files about winter storage - if you would like a copy, just PM me your e-mail address.
* Change the oil and filter
* Put Sta-Bil in the gas tank and fill the tank up
* Put a piece of carpet under each tire and add maybe 5 extra pounds of air to the tires.
* If you have any pest problems (mice, etc.) you might want to put something in the car to keep them away.
* A good car cover will help keep the dust off the painted surfaces - just get one that breathes well and is soft on the surface that touches the paint.
* Get a good battery tender (something like a CTEK or Battery Tender Plus). Will keep the battery in top shape.
I have some Word files about winter storage - if you would like a copy, just PM me your e-mail address.