what do you think?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 209
Likes: 1
what do you think?
This spring I bought an 03 z with low miles that is mint. I am getting ready to put it in my garage for winter storage and wondering if I should:
A-Buy 4 car tiles to put under tires for storage from Harbor freight?
B-Buy 4 jacks and take off all 4 wheels and keep in basement?
garage is a normal resdential dry
Don't have the luxury like my dad who has his stock tires to put on for storage.
A-Buy 4 car tiles to put under tires for storage from Harbor freight?
B-Buy 4 jacks and take off all 4 wheels and keep in basement?
garage is a normal resdential dry
Don't have the luxury like my dad who has his stock tires to put on for storage.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,308
Likes: 159
From: LaGrange Park, IL IL
St. Jude Donor '13, '15
Sounds like you are concerned about flat spotting the tires. How about tire cradles? Better that foam tiles. Keeping the springs uncompressed all winter seems like a lot of stress on those components for no reason.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,146
Likes: 203
From: Edmonton Alberta, Canada
I have an '03 vert, suggest you cut some plywood pieces and place under tires. Put battery on battery maintainer. Fuel stabilizer in at least 1/2 tank of fuel. A good quality car cover to protect from accidental mishaps over winter. A good night kiss and hug are also appropriate. lol. Greetings, Rob
PS almost forgot, place about 6 pre-baited mouse traps around garage for insurance.
PS almost forgot, place about 6 pre-baited mouse traps around garage for insurance.
Last edited by El original; Oct 23, 2016 at 12:14 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 807
Likes: 239
This spring I bought an 03 z with low miles that is mint. I am getting ready to put it in my garage for winter storage and wondering if I should:
A-Buy 4 car tiles to put under tires for storage from Harbor freight?
B-Buy 4 jacks and take off all 4 wheels and keep in basement?
garage is a normal resdential dry
Don't have the luxury like my dad who has his stock tires to put on for storage.
A-Buy 4 car tiles to put under tires for storage from Harbor freight?
B-Buy 4 jacks and take off all 4 wheels and keep in basement?
garage is a normal resdential dry
Don't have the luxury like my dad who has his stock tires to put on for storage.
Administrator
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I have an '03 vert, suggest you cut some plywood pieces and place under tires. Put battery on battery maintainer. Fuel stabilizer in at least 1/2 tank of fuel. A good quality car cover to protect from accidental mishaps over winter. A good night kiss and hug are also appropriate. lol. Greetings, Rob
PS almost forgot, place about 6 pre-baited mouse traps around garage for insurance.
PS almost forgot, place about 6 pre-baited mouse traps around garage for insurance.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 334
Likes: 24
I use these
I bought a product called Tire Cradles to store my o4 ZO6 on 6 years ago. Great quality product.....made out of a high grade polymer and are insulated with air cells. The young ladies name is Laura...very professional...service oriented. Site is www.tirecradle.com.
This spring I bought an 03 z with low miles that is mint. I am getting ready to put it in my garage for winter storage and wondering if I should:
A-Buy 4 car tiles to put under tires for storage from Harbor freight?
B-Buy 4 jacks and take off all 4 wheels and keep in basement?
garage is a normal resdential dry
Don't have the luxury like my dad who has his stock tires to put on for storage.
A-Buy 4 car tiles to put under tires for storage from Harbor freight?
B-Buy 4 jacks and take off all 4 wheels and keep in basement?
garage is a normal resdential dry
Don't have the luxury like my dad who has his stock tires to put on for storage.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 310
Likes: 25
From: Edmonton AB
We just put our Vette in storage today for the next 5+ months.
We parked it, disconnected the battery, and left.
I have been storing cars for years over the winter and have done nothing much more than that. I did add some Techron to the gas before I brought it in and put an extra 5 psi in the tires. That is it.
I have definitely had flat spots on tires from parking cars for months on end. Some tires are worse than others of this, but I have never once had a permanent flat spot. They always drove smooth after a short jaunt after prolonged storage. I don't even worry about it now...park it, go back in the spring, reconnect the battery and drive away.
We parked it, disconnected the battery, and left.
I have been storing cars for years over the winter and have done nothing much more than that. I did add some Techron to the gas before I brought it in and put an extra 5 psi in the tires. That is it.
I have definitely had flat spots on tires from parking cars for months on end. Some tires are worse than others of this, but I have never once had a permanent flat spot. They always drove smooth after a short jaunt after prolonged storage. I don't even worry about it now...park it, go back in the spring, reconnect the battery and drive away.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 34,479
Likes: 532
From: Central PA. - - My AR15 identifies as a muzzleloader
I believe in the Beer Fairy
I was under the impression that supporting the car on stands and letting the weight off the suspension was not a good thing. Something about the springs not liking it iirc. For the same reason they say not to store them long term on a 2 post lift. 4 post, fine. 2 Post, nope.
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Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,640
Likes: 83
From: . New York
We just put our Vette in storage today for the next 5+ months.
We parked it, disconnected the battery, and left.
I have been storing cars for years over the winter and have done nothing much more than that. I did add some Techron to the gas before I brought it in and put an extra 5 psi in the tires. That is it.
I have definitely had flat spots on tires from parking cars for months on end. Some tires are worse than others of this, but I have never once had a permanent flat spot. They always drove smooth after a short jaunt after prolonged storage. I don't even worry about it now...park it, go back in the spring, reconnect the battery and drive away.
We parked it, disconnected the battery, and left.
I have been storing cars for years over the winter and have done nothing much more than that. I did add some Techron to the gas before I brought it in and put an extra 5 psi in the tires. That is it.
I have definitely had flat spots on tires from parking cars for months on end. Some tires are worse than others of this, but I have never once had a permanent flat spot. They always drove smooth after a short jaunt after prolonged storage. I don't even worry about it now...park it, go back in the spring, reconnect the battery and drive away.
probably no harm in any of the things you mentioned.....but.....really, not necessary. Any tire you have on a C5 is not from 1962.....its not gonna flatspot......
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 7,815
Likes: 2,266
From: Brighton MI
We just put our Vette in storage today for the next 5+ months.
We parked it, disconnected the battery, and left.
I have been storing cars for years over the winter and have done nothing much more than that. I did add some Techron to the gas before I brought it in and put an extra 5 psi in the tires. That is it.
I have definitely had flat spots on tires from parking cars for months on end. Some tires are worse than others of this, but I have never once had a permanent flat spot. They always drove smooth after a short jaunt after prolonged storage. I don't even worry about it now...park it, go back in the spring, reconnect the battery and drive away.
We parked it, disconnected the battery, and left.
I have been storing cars for years over the winter and have done nothing much more than that. I did add some Techron to the gas before I brought it in and put an extra 5 psi in the tires. That is it.
I have definitely had flat spots on tires from parking cars for months on end. Some tires are worse than others of this, but I have never once had a permanent flat spot. They always drove smooth after a short jaunt after prolonged storage. I don't even worry about it now...park it, go back in the spring, reconnect the battery and drive away.
I also use a battery tender...but otherwise, I do the same...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=42
Flat-spotting can be temporary (the tire will round out as driving warms it up) or in the most severe cases, permanent (in which the tire's ride quality is effectively destroyed). A flat-spot's severity is often a function of the tire size, internal structure, load, ambient temperature and time spent stationary.
Low aspect ratio tires have less sidewall flex due to their short sidewalls and much of their load carrying capacity is absorbed by the deflection of their wide footprints.
The tread compounds and firm, nylon reinforced internal constructions used on high performance and high speed-rated tires are more susceptible to flatspotting.
Heavy loads and too little air pressure in the tires (underinflation) will allow them to deflect more where they come into contact with the ground. This allows even more deflection, increasing the severity of the flatspotting.
Cold ambient temperatures make rubber compounds stiffer, increasing their tendency to flatspot.
The longer tires remain stationary, the better they remember the position in which they were last parked. Tires on vehicles stored on the ground for many months can be permanently flat-spotted
Low aspect ratio tires have less sidewall flex due to their short sidewalls and much of their load carrying capacity is absorbed by the deflection of their wide footprints.
The tread compounds and firm, nylon reinforced internal constructions used on high performance and high speed-rated tires are more susceptible to flatspotting.
Heavy loads and too little air pressure in the tires (underinflation) will allow them to deflect more where they come into contact with the ground. This allows even more deflection, increasing the severity of the flatspotting.
Cold ambient temperatures make rubber compounds stiffer, increasing their tendency to flatspot.
The longer tires remain stationary, the better they remember the position in which they were last parked. Tires on vehicles stored on the ground for many months can be permanently flat-spotted
Last edited by JR-01; Oct 23, 2016 at 10:25 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
The Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar tires I have on my '02 don't have any issues with flat-spotting even after sitting for 4-5 months. I don't put anything under the tires either. I do make sure the tire pressures are correct and the car has a full tank of gas. If the winter weather permits, I will take the car out for a 20-30 minute ride. It's a good way of getting rid of any condensation in the exhaust system and engine.
I do use a battery tender (Deltran Battery Tender Junior) and it's always connected. C5's have enough current drain that after about 3-4 weeks of sitting without being run, the battery will become discharged to the point where it will not even turn on interior lights. If nothing else, get a good battery tender and hook it up!! CTEK is another tender that will work fine.
I do use a battery tender (Deltran Battery Tender Junior) and it's always connected. C5's have enough current drain that after about 3-4 weeks of sitting without being run, the battery will become discharged to the point where it will not even turn on interior lights. If nothing else, get a good battery tender and hook it up!! CTEK is another tender that will work fine.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 5,037
Likes: 846
From: Rotonda West, FL 2015 Z51 M7 3LT
Oldtimer
Lived in upstate NY for 40 years and trust me it gets COLD. Did pretty much everything everyone said, cleaned, oil changes, Battery Tender Plus, cover, etc. BUT, I NEVER did anything to the tires other than making sure they were properly inflated when I parked it outside on blacktop. NEVER had any problem.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,203
Likes: 63
From: Staten Island NY
Even the old bias ply tires on my 70 GTO that sat for years did NOT get flat spots.
I have been storing my C5s and previous C4s from the end of October to March (when its too cold to wash the car - the season is over for me) and never had a problem with flat spots on the tires, no mats or cradles.
I have been storing my C5s and previous C4s from the end of October to March (when its too cold to wash the car - the season is over for me) and never had a problem with flat spots on the tires, no mats or cradles.
Last edited by warren s; Oct 25, 2016 at 09:45 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,527
Likes: 373
From: Philadelphia PA
When you put your fanny pack on in the morning, is the pack in front or the back? If front, drive in normal...if in back, back in the garage.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
The truth is it doesn't happen very often, but permanent flat spots can and do happen. I did have a flat spot that would not go away on a Mustang I stored over the winter on a concrete floor. Had to buy 2 new tires.
Last edited by JR-01; Oct 26, 2016 at 09:58 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,203
Likes: 63
From: Staten Island NY
I love it when people say it never happened to me, so it can't possible happen. The truth is it doesn't happen very often, but permanent flat spots can and do happen. I did have a flat spot that would not go away on a Mustang I stored over the winter on a concrete floor. Had to buy 2 new tires.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 5,037
Likes: 846
From: Rotonda West, FL 2015 Z51 M7 3LT
Oldtimer
I love it when people say it never happened to me, so it can't possible happen. The truth is it doesn't happen very often, but permanent flat spots can and do happen. I did have a flat spot that would not go away on a Mustang I stored over the winter on a concrete floor. Had to buy 2 new tires.