Outside winter storage tips
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,257
Likes: 26
From: Delaware
Outside winter storage tips
Guys, my Vette is kept outside and not in a garage. I'm have a few questions about outside storage in the winter. Just did a fresh wax job on it so that's taken care of. It was just recently service with all fluids checked and replaced if needed. I'll be disconnecting the battery and covering the car as well.
My one concern is flat spots in the tires. I might try inflating them to the max psi to compensate for any air loss through the winter months. My preference would be to take them off and put the car on jack stands. I could also get some cheap wheels/tires and put them on. The thought of using donut spares also came to mind.
Any advice on what to do? Do any donut spares from other GM vehicles fit the Vette? Am I missing any thing other than what I mentioned above?
Thanks in advance!
Jim
My one concern is flat spots in the tires. I might try inflating them to the max psi to compensate for any air loss through the winter months. My preference would be to take them off and put the car on jack stands. I could also get some cheap wheels/tires and put them on. The thought of using donut spares also came to mind.
Any advice on what to do? Do any donut spares from other GM vehicles fit the Vette? Am I missing any thing other than what I mentioned above?
Thanks in advance!
Jim
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,197
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From: ALL governments are legalized mobsters, so doesn't matter where I live :(
Hi Jim,
The days of propping the car up and removing the wheels should be behind us. Todays tire tech makes for a stronger tire, not to mention the car realistically sits between 4 to 6 months...not that long at all. If your still concerned you can add a little extra air and also place square styrofoam pieces underneath the wheels.
When I use to store my mustang vert I would place a plastic tarp on the ground, drive my car on it, put on my soft cover over the car, take another large tarp place that over the soft cover then tie the top tarp over the bottom tarp like an anchilada, lol.
The days of propping the car up and removing the wheels should be behind us. Todays tire tech makes for a stronger tire, not to mention the car realistically sits between 4 to 6 months...not that long at all. If your still concerned you can add a little extra air and also place square styrofoam pieces underneath the wheels.
When I use to store my mustang vert I would place a plastic tarp on the ground, drive my car on it, put on my soft cover over the car, take another large tarp place that over the soft cover then tie the top tarp over the bottom tarp like an anchilada, lol.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 254
Likes: 0
From: Great Falls MT
This sounds like a great way to protect your car in a windy area. Normally the wind gets under the car cover and blows it off. If you try tying it down you risk having rope marks on your paint. But the twin tarp idea would eliminate that because the wind can't get underneath.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 73,568
Likes: 33
From: Somewhere in Mo
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
where you live will make a huge difference and we don't know that.
But I do like the tarp idea used over a good quality car cover. If you use just a cover they come with straps that go under the car to prevnt it from being windblown but they are not fool proof though.
But I do like the tarp idea used over a good quality car cover. If you use just a cover they come with straps that go under the car to prevnt it from being windblown but they are not fool proof though.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,257
Likes: 26
From: Delaware
Hi Jim,
The days of propping the car up and removing the wheels should be behind us. Todays tire tech makes for a stronger tire, not to mention the car realistically sits between 4 to 6 months...not that long at all. If your still concerned you can add a little extra air and also place square styrofoam pieces underneath the wheels.
When I use to store my mustang vert I would place a plastic tarp on the ground, drive my car on it, put on my soft cover over the car, take another large tarp place that over the soft cover then tie the top tarp over the bottom tarp like an anchilada, lol.
The days of propping the car up and removing the wheels should be behind us. Todays tire tech makes for a stronger tire, not to mention the car realistically sits between 4 to 6 months...not that long at all. If your still concerned you can add a little extra air and also place square styrofoam pieces underneath the wheels.
When I use to store my mustang vert I would place a plastic tarp on the ground, drive my car on it, put on my soft cover over the car, take another large tarp place that over the soft cover then tie the top tarp over the bottom tarp like an anchilada, lol.
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If you disconnect the battery and live in an area that the temps get pretty cold, I would remove the battery from the car and store it inside your house.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,257
Likes: 26
From: Delaware
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Belleville Il
Just to save reprograming headaches in the spring,,,I would leave the battery in and connected.I would then add a quality battery maintainer such as the C-tech,, and then all settings are kept and you have a fully charged battery when you are ready to go!!
Last edited by itzza427; Sep 21, 2012 at 12:55 AM.
