Winter Storage
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Brunswick Ohio
Winter Storage
Any suggestions for preparing my 03 Z06 for winter storage? Probably have 2-3 weeks before I will park it. Usually wont start driving it again till Mid-April depending on winter? Which cover do u recommend? The battery was dead this spring. How much gas do u leave in it?
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,249
Likes: 142
From: Lynn MA
This is what I've done for ten plus years for both of my cars. There will be some variations others will use.
1. change oil and filter
2. bottle of stabil in gas and fill tank
3. pump up tires to 40-45 lbs, this is optional
4. purchase a battery tender plus and hook it up, some people disconnect battery
5. cover car even if it's inside a garage
I've not had any problem doing it this way.
1. change oil and filter
2. bottle of stabil in gas and fill tank
3. pump up tires to 40-45 lbs, this is optional
4. purchase a battery tender plus and hook it up, some people disconnect battery
5. cover car even if it's inside a garage
I've not had any problem doing it this way.
Racer
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 361
Likes: 34
From: Central MA
For a cover I use a Car Capsule which is an inflatable bubble. You can buy indoor or outdoor versions. The advantages are, no worry about critters getting in, nesting and croaking inside, no moldy musty smell/moisture problems etc. as a small fan exchanges the air constantly.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 5,027
Likes: 834
From: Rotonda West, FL 2015 Z51 M7 3LT
Oldtimer
This is what I've done for ten plus years for both of my cars. There will be some variations others will use.
1. change oil and filter
2. bottle of stabil in gas and fill tank
3. pump up tires to 40-45 lbs, this is optional
4. purchase a battery tender plus and hook it up, some people disconnect battery
5. cover car even if it's inside a garage
I've not had any problem doing it this way.
1. change oil and filter
2. bottle of stabil in gas and fill tank
3. pump up tires to 40-45 lbs, this is optional
4. purchase a battery tender plus and hook it up, some people disconnect battery
5. cover car even if it's inside a garage
I've not had any problem doing it this way.
I also used to tie a piece of twine through one of the eyelets if the cover and take it under the car and tie it to the eyelet on the other side of the car just in case the winds got really nasty. Probably overkill but...
As for the Stabil, I don't think it's really necessary these days for winter only storage when using 93 oct. but I did it anyhow.
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This is what I've done for ten plus years for both of my cars. There will be some variations others will use.
1. change oil and filter
2. bottle of stabil in gas and fill tank
3. pump up tires to 40-45 lbs, this is optional
4. purchase a battery tender plus and hook it up, some people disconnect battery
5. cover car even if it's inside a garage
I've not had any problem doing it this way.
1. change oil and filter
2. bottle of stabil in gas and fill tank
3. pump up tires to 40-45 lbs, this is optional
4. purchase a battery tender plus and hook it up, some people disconnect battery
5. cover car even if it's inside a garage
I've not had any problem doing it this way.
* Place pieces of carpet under tires to keep them off the concrete.
* Place a few Bounce dryer sheets inside the car and in the engine bay to keep critters out.
* Hope for an early Spring.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
Exactly what I used to do in NY. Never disconnected the battery though. Just make sure the car is clean before you cover. AND make sure there's no "gunk" stuck to the cover that's going to be moving around/scratching the paint.
I also used to tie a piece of twine through one of the eyelets if the cover and take it under the car and tie it to the eyelet on the other side of the car just in case the winds got really nasty. Probably overkill but...
As for the Stabil, I don't think it's really necessary these days for winter only storage when using 93 oct. but I did it anyhow.
I also used to tie a piece of twine through one of the eyelets if the cover and take it under the car and tie it to the eyelet on the other side of the car just in case the winds got really nasty. Probably overkill but...
As for the Stabil, I don't think it's really necessary these days for winter only storage when using 93 oct. but I did it anyhow.
From owners manual:
If you are not going to drive your vehicle for 25 days or more, remove the black, negative (-) cable from the battery.
Last edited by JR-01; Oct 21, 2015 at 03:42 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 174
Likes: 10
From: Wilmington DE
even though I store my Vette, down at my beach house for the winter, I drive it while I am down there just to keep the battery charged up plus I cant seem to totally give it up!
Inflate tires a bit, I do put stabilizer in a full tank.
This year didn't drive it that much my oil life is at 44% I am looking to keep it as is and change the oil as soon as I take it out of storage, plus get some new tires put on it as well
Inflate tires a bit, I do put stabilizer in a full tank.
This year didn't drive it that much my oil life is at 44% I am looking to keep it as is and change the oil as soon as I take it out of storage, plus get some new tires put on it as well
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From: Manassas Park VA
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Cut up and toss a few bars of Irish Spring Soap under the car - mice won't go near it
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Drifting
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,957
Likes: 342
From: Shell Point (Crawfordville) Florida
"This year didn't drive it that much my oil life is at 44% I am looking to keep it as is and change the oil as soon as I take it out of storage" -----
It makes much more sense to change the oil before you put it away, not when you take it out of storage, if you're going to do it with 44% life left. Changing it before you put it away stores the engine with clean oil, not with all the dirt and contaminants and acids that may be sitting in it for months on end.
It makes much more sense to change the oil before you put it away, not when you take it out of storage, if you're going to do it with 44% life left. Changing it before you put it away stores the engine with clean oil, not with all the dirt and contaminants and acids that may be sitting in it for months on end.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
"This year didn't drive it that much my oil life is at 44% I am looking to keep it as is and change the oil as soon as I take it out of storage" -----
It makes much more sense to change the oil before you put it away, not when you take it out of storage, if you're going to do it with 44% life left. Changing it before you put it away stores the engine with clean oil, not with all the dirt and contaminants and acids that may be sitting in it for months on end.
It makes much more sense to change the oil before you put it away, not when you take it out of storage, if you're going to do it with 44% life left. Changing it before you put it away stores the engine with clean oil, not with all the dirt and contaminants and acids that may be sitting in it for months on end.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 741
Likes: 124
1. Take battery out of the car and put it on a tender in the basement
2 . Fill up gas tank to fill and put stabil in. (The gas now will break down fast don't risk it)
3. I have 4 pieces on carpet tiles under each tire
4. Irish spring soap under car/ bounce sheets inside
5. Buy a quality car cover I have a covercraft Noah
6. Run the car a bit for the last time before shutting it off for storage for the winter with the stabil in the tank.
7. Now leave it alone all winter.
8. Before restarting in do a fresh oil change .
9. Enjoy !!!!
Last edited by mainecobra; Oct 21, 2015 at 09:59 PM.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 510
Likes: 67
From: Weeki Wachee Fl.
Also
Before moving south........ When in winter storage I would park on a tarp... vapor barrier. Back in the seventy's my father inlaw had a 59 vette that was always on a garage concrete floor with no heat. The brake lines and frame rusted away. I remember sticking my fist up in the frame rails.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
I live in Maine where it gets real real cold in the garage.
1. Take battery out of the car and put it on a tender in the basement
2 . Fill up gas tank to fill and put stabil in. (The gas now will break down fast don't risk it)
3. I have 4 pieces on carpet tiles under each tire
4. Irish spring soap under car/ bounce sheets inside
5. Buy a quality car cover I have a covercraft Noah
6. Run the car a bit for the last time before shutting it off for storage for the winter with the stabil in the tank.
7. Now leave it alone all winter.
8. Before restarting in do a fresh oil change .
9. Enjoy !!!!
1. Take battery out of the car and put it on a tender in the basement
2 . Fill up gas tank to fill and put stabil in. (The gas now will break down fast don't risk it)
3. I have 4 pieces on carpet tiles under each tire
4. Irish spring soap under car/ bounce sheets inside
5. Buy a quality car cover I have a covercraft Noah
6. Run the car a bit for the last time before shutting it off for storage for the winter with the stabil in the tank.
7. Now leave it alone all winter.
8. Before restarting in do a fresh oil change .
9. Enjoy !!!!
I also put some mothballs under the hood, in the cabin and under the car for the varmints. I put conditioner on the leather and 303 protectant on all rubber and plastic.