Storing 03 Corvette for winter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 475
Likes: 79
From: getzville ny
All I do is put in stabilizer and fill the tank. Change the oil, air up the tires, hook up battery tender and cover it up. If I get a dry weekend in Jan or Feb I will fire it up and take it for a spin around the neighborhood.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
There are several recent threads you may want to check out. People have different opinions and a lot of tips.
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Here's what I do:
That's about it. Here are some Word files that perhaps gives some other things to consider but I have never had a problem in just doing the above.
- Fully detail the car.
- Add Sta-Bil to the gas tank and top off the tank with gas.
- Put down carpet squares under each tire (keeps them off the cold concrete).
- Add 5-10 psi to the tires.
- Hook up a Battery Tender Plus to the battery.
- Add a few sheets of Bounce to the engine bay and interior to keep unwanted critters out.
- Put a car cover over the car.
- Change the oil.
That's about it. Here are some Word files that perhaps gives some other things to consider but I have never had a problem in just doing the above.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,643
Likes: 167
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
Racer
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 365
Likes: 19
From: Hugo MN
I do the same as Jack previously posted EXCEPT for the battery.
I have a CTEK battery tender and use it during the summer whenever the car is expected to sit for a week or longer.
During the winter however, I do not feel comfortable having it running, under the car cover, for six (6) months continuously.
What I've done in the past is removed it and stored it in the basement during the winter and brought it up to full charge before installing it.
This year I just removed the negative cable as suggested in the Owners Manual. In the spring I will bring it up to full charge prior to starting the car. All that I've ever had to reset is the clock.
I have a CTEK battery tender and use it during the summer whenever the car is expected to sit for a week or longer.
During the winter however, I do not feel comfortable having it running, under the car cover, for six (6) months continuously.
What I've done in the past is removed it and stored it in the basement during the winter and brought it up to full charge before installing it.
This year I just removed the negative cable as suggested in the Owners Manual. In the spring I will bring it up to full charge prior to starting the car. All that I've ever had to reset is the clock.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
I do the same as Jack previously posted EXCEPT for the battery.
I have a CTEK battery tender and use it during the summer whenever the car is expected to sit for a week or longer.
During the winter however, I do not feel comfortable having it running, under the car cover, for six (6) months continuously.
What I've done in the past is removed it and stored it in the basement during the winter and brought it up to full charge before installing it.
This year I just removed the negative cable as suggested in the Owners Manual. In the spring I will bring it up to full charge prior to starting the car. All that I've ever had to reset is the clock.
I have a CTEK battery tender and use it during the summer whenever the car is expected to sit for a week or longer.
During the winter however, I do not feel comfortable having it running, under the car cover, for six (6) months continuously.
What I've done in the past is removed it and stored it in the basement during the winter and brought it up to full charge before installing it.
This year I just removed the negative cable as suggested in the Owners Manual. In the spring I will bring it up to full charge prior to starting the car. All that I've ever had to reset is the clock.
I, too put a maintainer on during the driving season if the car is going to sit for a week. Worked great last summer.
I put a rag on the steering wheel to remind me it's hooked up so I don't drive off. Old age.......what was I saying?
Last edited by JR-01; Nov 10, 2014 at 03:47 PM.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 717
Likes: 80
From: Michigan
Just finished putting mine to sleep today.
-Layed a plastic drop cloth on the cement in my garage
-Inflated the tires to 42 psi
-Placed dryer sheets in the interior
-Stuffed dryer sheets in the exhaust tips, then covered them with another dryer sheet and rubber-banded them on
-Dryer sheets and mothballs all over the engine compartment (moth ***** in solo cups)
-Removed battery and stored in basement
-D-Con and old fashioned mouse traps by each wheel
-Car cover
I'm REALLY hoping that the critters stay out...should I put in some Irish Spring as well?
-Layed a plastic drop cloth on the cement in my garage
-Inflated the tires to 42 psi
-Placed dryer sheets in the interior
-Stuffed dryer sheets in the exhaust tips, then covered them with another dryer sheet and rubber-banded them on
-Dryer sheets and mothballs all over the engine compartment (moth ***** in solo cups)
-Removed battery and stored in basement
-D-Con and old fashioned mouse traps by each wheel
-Car cover
I'm REALLY hoping that the critters stay out...should I put in some Irish Spring as well?
Last edited by jjaaam; Nov 10, 2014 at 05:26 PM.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 717
Likes: 80
From: Michigan
Do the dryer sheets have to be replaced at all during the storage time or do I just leave them in there the whole time?
I'm thinking it will be mid-April at the earliest before I take it out of the garage...
I'm thinking it will be mid-April at the earliest before I take it out of the garage...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,264
Likes: 455
From: Stella, North Carolina
I also heard that having a charger on a car that is covered, traps gasses from the battery which are corrosive. Obvious potential for issues there, but I am no expert on this so...is this possible or a real concern? Of course the threat of fire is significant enough to make me think twice about it.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 717
Likes: 80
From: Michigan
I also heard that having a charger on a car that is covered, traps gasses from the battery which are corrosive. Obvious potential for issues there, but I am no expert on this so...is this possible or a real concern? Of course the threat of fire is significant enough to make me think twice about it.
Racer
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 361
Likes: 34
From: Central MA
Yes it is. Its the 18 foot Car Capsule. The 16 footer would have been fine but thought the extra length would make it easier to center the car but now I can see that wouldn't have been a problem. The thing is pretty tough and inflated fast-less than 10 mins. No, I am not affiliated with them, but am pleased. Don't know why the pics didn't show, they uploaded and were correct size....