Going to store car "Need Advice"
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 920
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From: Stoneham, MA
Going to store car "Need Advice"
I am transitioning moving to FL full time. My 1999 Corvette will be sitting in the garage in FL for months at a time. What should I do before I store the car for a few months at a time?? Disconnect Battery???
Also, what to do before starting after months in garage.
Also, what to do before starting after months in garage.
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Here's what I do:
- Put Sta-Bil in gas tank and fill tank with gas. Best to do this when tank is about 1/4 full so Sta-Bil is mixed in both tanks.
- Change oil and filter.
- Detail car - interior/exterior/engine bay - wax if desired.
- Put a few extra PSI in tires and I place an old piece of carpet under each tire to keep them off the comcrete floor.
- Place Bounce dryer sheets in interior and engine bay to discourage any critters from taking up residence. Moth ***** work well also. Some put moisture absorbing packets in the interior too.
- Hook up battery tender if electricity is available. If electricity is not available, remove battery and store in safe place.
- Place car cover over car to keep dust off painted surface.
- I do not start the car unless I plan to drive it for a reasonable distance.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
With the humidity down there you may want to put a de-humidifer in the garage or at least have a small fan circulating the air.
I remove my battery for storage, but some use battery tender in the car. Your choice. If you don't the battery will be dead when you go to start it.
I remove my battery for storage, but some use battery tender in the car. Your choice. If you don't the battery will be dead when you go to start it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
Me neither. A home down the street burned down. The cause was determined to be trickle charger on a stored car in the garage.
Last edited by JR-01; Dec 9, 2015 at 11:35 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,258
Likes: 544
From: Appleton WI
Humidity will definitely be a concern. Tubs of Damp Rid or some other dehumidification would be a good idea.
Putting the car away clean is good for the car and you will have a car ready for your return.
Putting the car away clean is good for the car and you will have a car ready for your return.
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 30,625
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From: Bonita Springs, Florida
It gets pretty hot and humid in the summer. Maybe ventilate the garage by installing vent grating in the ceiling access panel into the attic above. The heat down here will drain the battery faster than the cold up north. Dryer sheets are a good idea. SW Florida is the lightening capital of the world. I would not suggest leaving a battery on a tender unless you have Surge Shield installed by FP&L to protect from lightening strikes. With an estimated 1.5 million lightning strikes in Florida each year you could experience a power surge and damage the charger or the cars electrical system or maybe even cause a fire. I had FP&L install it in my home and I still would not feel comfortable leaving a battery on a tender for extended periods while i was away. I would remove the battery and keep it inside where it's cooler. Before we moved here permanently we would leave the A/C on 78 degrees and have a neighbor periodically check the house.
Last edited by Mike98SilVert; Dec 9, 2015 at 06:55 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 226
Likes: 8
From: Hiram GA
Here's what I do:
- Put Sta-Bil in gas tank and fill tank with gas. Best to do this when tank is about 1/4 full so Sta-Bil is mixed in both tanks.
- Change oil and filter.
- Detail car - interior/exterior/engine bay - wax if desired.
- Put a few extra PSI in tires and I place an old piece of carpet under each tire to keep them off the comcrete floor.
- Place Bounce dryer sheets in interior and engine bay to discourage any critters from taking up residence. Moth ***** work well also. Some put moisture absorbing packets in the interior too.
- Hook up battery tender if electricity is available. If electricity is not available, remove battery and store in safe place.
- Place car cover over car to keep dust off painted surface.
- I do not start the car unless I plan to drive it for a reasonable distance.
