When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I always like to learn what other people do when they shut down their vette for the winter. Here's what I've done so far..
Oli change, over inflate the tires,wash,wax, detail the exterior to include wash windows, in and out, use plastic cleaner on all plastic lens, targa top. Back to black on the exterior black trim, rubber. Armour all the 3 black vents, used polish chrome on the exhaust tips, cleaned chrome wheels, didn't polish yet. wipe down all black engine components.
What did I miss on the exterior?
Still have to complete the interior detailing. Only vacuumed so far and cleaned the windows.
Still to be completed are shampoo floor and trunk mats, condition leather seats, condition interior surfaces (door panels, dash, instrument panel), lube weather stripping.
Do you have any other suggestions? I like taking the cover off in the spring and literally driving a brand new, in perfect condition vette. Oh, and the last thing I do is connect to battery tender and stuff the car full of bounce dryer sheets and pieces of Irish spring to keep the mice away.
Stuff something, like steel wool, into the tailpipes to keep nesting critters and bugs out of the exhaust. Just remember to remove them before starting up the car in the Spring.
Why did you over inflate the tires? You trying to avoid flat spots? They come right out after riding a few miles. You'd be better off putting the car up on jack stands then doing that.
I filled the tank with fuel, 35 pounds of air in the tires, dust and cover. Snowing here this morning with salt on the roads. Who knows when i will get a chance to pull it out.
Stuff something, like steel wool, into the tailpipes to keep nesting critters and bugs out of the exhaust. Just remember to remove them before starting up the car in the Spring.
Why did you over inflate the tires? You trying to avoid flat spots? They come right out after riding a few miles. You'd be better off putting the car up on jack stands then doing that.
Tires lose 1 lb of pressure for every 10 degrees drop in temp. Permanent flat spots are rare, but they do happen. Happened to me. Why take a chance since it costs nothing to over inflate the tires.
Added seafoam and fuel...about 3/4 of a tank
Cleaned-detailed everything.
Towels underneath cardboard for all tires
Dryer sheets in trunk area, floorboards and engine bay.
Tires to 33-35 or so
Rags in exhaust pipes
Battery tender hooked up
All windows, doors and top up,latched and locked.
Cover on....wait 5 months
Last edited by Murray Anderson; Nov 20, 2016 at 12:30 PM.
Here's what I do!
1 Fill up tank
2 Add sea foam
3 Wash / detail
4 Irish spring soap in car
5 Dryer sheets in side glove box and in console and in tips of tail pipes
6 Put thick plastic sheet on concrete under car
7 Add air to tires
8 Battery tender
I filled the tank with fuel, 35 pounds of air in the tires, dust and cover. Snowing here this morning with salt on the roads. Who knows when i will get a chance to pull it out.
That's what I'm afraid of, here, where I am. It was 65*, or so, yesterday morning, and 35* last evening. I took the 'Vette for what might be it's last ride of the season, yesterday morning.
It started with a little light sleet, this AM, and is snowing and blowing pretty good, right now. We're supposed to get 3-5" of snow by tomorrow afternoon. If they wind up throwing down any salt, that's it, for the season....
Originally Posted by JR-01
Tires lose 1 lb of pressure for every 10 degrees drop in temp. Permanent flat spots are rare, but they do happen. Happened to me. Why take a chance since it costs nothing to over inflate the tires.
I pump mine up to 40 PSI, and also put 3-4 "carpet squares" under each tire.
UPDATE......
My local highway department came around with the salt truck, about an hour ago. Looks like I might be done for the season.
Last edited by leadfoot4; Nov 20, 2016 at 06:45 PM.
If you are worried about critters in your garage, go to a dollar store and buy a box of moth ***** for a buck. Put them in a shallow pan under your car. It will also help to keep them out of your garage. I use bounce dryer sheets in the interior. Clean it up real good inside and out, cover it, put it on a battery tender and wait.
Seafoam, Full tank of Premium, Wash & thorough dry, 36 PSI in tires, crack windows half inch, tender, cover...... Let out a sigh.... frown and walk away. Then wait....
57gman-When you mentioned overinflating the tires, I thought you were talking about 40 lbs or so. 33-35 in my mind is not really overinflating, it's just compensating for the drop in ambient temp that's to come.
And don't forget about stuffing something into the exhaust.
The cold and that white stuff (snow) and salt is why I moved to FLorida from NJ 12 years ago. I rather put up with the big storm that comes here every 10-12 years or so.
My seasonal change is now to put back on my clear targa top and remove the silver painted one as it's no longer too hot for the clear top and actually the car warms up a little in the cooler fall and winter weather down here.
Great suggestions above! Only thing I can add is when your cleaning exterior, I pull the wheels and clean backside as well to get all the brake dust off, as well as spray off calipers, inner fenders etc.
Inside I normally treat the seats monthly but will put on a heavy coat of leather conditioner for the winter and let it soak in.
Don't you guys start your car and let the engine get up to temp every week
Nope. Not recommended. Idling a car for 12 hours is not good for anything.
A lot of people think starting a car every few weeks during storage is a good idea. Unless you intend on taking the car for a good drive, simply letting it idle is actually detrimental because condensation will build through the various systems and not properly burn-off. And don’t be tempted to take it for a drive on a “nice winter day.” After all, you don’t want to go through the entire process again. Best policy is let sleeping bears lay to rest. Absence makes the heart grow fonder and you will appreciate your beloved ride more when you finally get to bring it out of storage in the spring.
I beg to differ you can not tell me that a properly running engine will have detrimental damage from idling even if it was for 12 hours.
OK. It's your car. Believe what you want.
Another reason not to start is that most engine wear occurs in the first couple minutes after a cold start. Rich fuel mixtures wash lubrication from the cylinder walls and after a week or so of sitting most of the oil has drained into the crankcase leaving the cylinders and bearing surfaces dry.
Great Suggestions!! Thanksgiving morning I'll finish the hybernation process and put my car to sleep! And in the spring, I'll get out my new car out again.
I saw you mentioned shampooing the carpets....I would stay away from that until spring. Obviously, the carpets will need several days to fully dry. If you shampoo the carpets, let it dry for a few hours, then shut the doors and throw a cover on it you are likely to have a musty smell come spring. Just my $.02.
Personally, I threw some STA-BIL in the tank, fresh oil and filter, full exterior detail, pulled battery (put it in basement,) and threw a cover on her. It kinda pissed me off because I stored it 1NOV and have SEVERAL nice days so far in November where I was tempted to take it out but didnt. Looks like I stored it too soon this year.
What did I Miss?
