Winter Storage Question
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,257
Likes: 26
From: Delaware
Winter Storage Question
Unfortunately it's about that time to put up my Vette's for winter storage. In past years I've always gotten the oil changed prior to putting them away even though the mileage wasn't enough to warrant it. The thought was since it was sitting for several months it was better to have fresh oil in it. Now I'm starting to question that thought process that it may be better to change the oil in the spring before I start driving it for the season.
So which is the better process, change the oil before putting it away for the winter or in the spring before the driving season?
So which is the better process, change the oil before putting it away for the winter or in the spring before the driving season?
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 106
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not sure what the supposed correct method is but I can tell you ive changed my oil at the beginning of the driving season for 25 years now on my stored toys without any problems, and I know the feeling I just got done putting mine away for winter about an hour ago, dumped a bottle of stabil in tank and then filled tank drove about 5 miles and now its in hybernation
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
There are people on both sides of this issue and both have good points. My opinion is that it really doesn't matter. In the fall or in the spring. I do it in the spring just because it is part of my get it back on the road process.
I am putting mine away today. Bottle of Royal Purple gas treatment/stabilizer, fill it up with Shell Premium and a bottle of Techron. 5 extra pounds of air in the tires, Mothballs, Irish Spring and dryer sheets under the hood and in the trunk, Pull the battery and put it on a tender in the basement, stainless scrubbing pads in exhaust tips, 303 protectant on all rubber and vinyl, leather treatment on seats, already waxed and ready to put on the car cover.
I am putting mine away today. Bottle of Royal Purple gas treatment/stabilizer, fill it up with Shell Premium and a bottle of Techron. 5 extra pounds of air in the tires, Mothballs, Irish Spring and dryer sheets under the hood and in the trunk, Pull the battery and put it on a tender in the basement, stainless scrubbing pads in exhaust tips, 303 protectant on all rubber and vinyl, leather treatment on seats, already waxed and ready to put on the car cover.
Last edited by JR-01; Oct 25, 2014 at 01:25 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,257
Likes: 26
From: Delaware
There are people on both sides of this issue and both have good points. My opinion is that it really doesn't matter. In the fall or in the spring. I do it in the spring just because it is part of my get it back on the road process.
I am putting mine away today. Bottle of Royal Purple gas treatment/stabilizer, fill it up with Shell Premium and a bottle of Techron. 5 extra pounds of air in the tires, Mothballs, Irish Spring and dryer sheets under the hood and in the trunk, Pull the battery and put it on a tender in the basement, stainless scrubbing pads in exhaust tips, 303 protectant on all rubber and vinyl, leather treatment on seats, already waxed and ready to put on the car cover.
I am putting mine away today. Bottle of Royal Purple gas treatment/stabilizer, fill it up with Shell Premium and a bottle of Techron. 5 extra pounds of air in the tires, Mothballs, Irish Spring and dryer sheets under the hood and in the trunk, Pull the battery and put it on a tender in the basement, stainless scrubbing pads in exhaust tips, 303 protectant on all rubber and vinyl, leather treatment on seats, already waxed and ready to put on the car cover.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 15,041
Likes: 1,613
From: Holly Springs NC
St. Jude Donor '16-'17,'22,'24
Holy crap that's a lot of work! All I ever do to mine is have the dealer do a full service, fill up the tank with gas, then I do a full exterior and interior detail, inflate the tires to 40 psi, and remove the battery from the car. The car is then parked and covered with two car covers as its kept outside. Oh and I put a container of stay dry (I think that's what it's called) in the hatch of the car to prevent any moisture build up inside the car. Never had any problems.
Once upon a time there was a Porche Boxter that the owner was very proud of. She refused to take her prize Boxter out in the New Hampshire snow, just let is stay tucked away nice and warm in her garage without benefit of odorific defense such as Irish Spring, moth ***** or dryer sheets. When the spring came she opened the garage and tried to start her beloved Boxter. But alas, the engine would not budge. So the man with the rollback picked up her Boxter and towed it to the repair garage. Quickly they found the problem! They called the owner to inform her that mice had eaten most of the electric cable housing throughout the dashboard and engine compartment. Everything was shorted out. When the man from the insurance agency came he declared "It's a total Loss" and wrote a check for the amount allowed under the insurance contract. THE END.
This is a true story, no names have been changed. You can find the original by searching under threads started by roadbike56.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
Ahhhh! I see it's storytime for roadbike56.
Once upon a time there was a Porche Boxter that the owner was very proud of. She refused to take her prize Boxter out in the New Hampshire snow, just let is stay tucked away nice and warm in her garage without benefit of odorific defense such as Irish Spring, moth ***** or dryer sheets. When the spring came she opened the garage and tried to start her beloved Boxter. But alas, the engine would not budge. So the man with the rollback picked up her Boxter and towed it to the repair garage. Quickly they found the problem! They called the owner to inform her that mice had eaten most of the electric cable housing throughout the dashboard and engine compartment. Everything was shorted out. When the man from the insurance agency came he declared "It's a total Loss" and wrote a check for the amount allowed under the insurance contract. THE END.
This is a true story, no names have been changed. You can find the original by searching under threads started by roadbike56.
Once upon a time there was a Porche Boxter that the owner was very proud of. She refused to take her prize Boxter out in the New Hampshire snow, just let is stay tucked away nice and warm in her garage without benefit of odorific defense such as Irish Spring, moth ***** or dryer sheets. When the spring came she opened the garage and tried to start her beloved Boxter. But alas, the engine would not budge. So the man with the rollback picked up her Boxter and towed it to the repair garage. Quickly they found the problem! They called the owner to inform her that mice had eaten most of the electric cable housing throughout the dashboard and engine compartment. Everything was shorted out. When the man from the insurance agency came he declared "It's a total Loss" and wrote a check for the amount allowed under the insurance contract. THE END.
This is a true story, no names have been changed. You can find the original by searching under threads started by roadbike56.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,257
Likes: 26
From: Delaware
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
You are lucky. Mothballs, Irish Spring and dryer sheets and I stuff scouring pads up the tailpipes. In the past I have had mice chew through wiring and pretty much destroy an interior.
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,257
Likes: 26
From: Delaware
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
Two Corvettes, one inside a garage and the other outside. Never had a problem with mice. So your using moth *****, Irish Spring soap and dryer sheets inside the car and under the hood? Wouldn't using the moth ***** make the inside of th car stink? Sorry for all the questions, just trying to get an understanding of where your putting the stuff to keep the mice out. I've been pretty lucky so far as you said but I'm not sure I want to push it any further.
Last edited by JR-01; Oct 25, 2014 at 08:47 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,257
Likes: 26
From: Delaware
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,257
Likes: 26
From: Delaware
http://www.hagerty.com/articles-vide...of-Stored-Cars
Here is a article on Hagerty.com that has some interesting tips on keeping mice out of your car.
Here is a article on Hagerty.com that has some interesting tips on keeping mice out of your car.
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I always change my oil as I put the car in storage. Gets all the contaminants out of the engine before it just sits for a few months. That is just my preference.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Northern Illinois
Oldtimer
Same here.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2011
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From: Western New York
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2004
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When I use moth ***** I put them on the garage floor below the car. More under the engine area. I put plastic cups in exhaust pipes with moth ***** taped inside the cups. Plastic enclosed cased mouse poison from Home Depot are a help plus there pet friendly.