C5 winterizing-battery question
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6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2019
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C5 winterizing-battery question
I have a 2000, c5 and am wondering if I can take out the battery and store in basement, rather than in garage and using a trickle charger during the winter. I live in SW MI and temps can be in the negatives at night. Thank you!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
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From: Wisconsin
For the last 7 years I have taken my battery out and stored it in the basement for 5-6 months. Don't use a trickle charger, use a battery tender(maintainer) if you want to keep it fully charged.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2012
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From: Brighton MI
Yes, you can. But there is no real reason to. I live in MI as well and for 30 years I have never taken a battery out of the car for winter. Just hook up a good maintainer and you are good to go. I should note my cars have always been garaged, if yours is outside, then removing the battery may make more sense.
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Yes, you can remove the battery but why not just hook the car up to a battery tender. It will work fine.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2018
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From: southern rural MI
battery
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
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From: Wisconsin
It can get to 30 below in my detached garage. A battery can fail at any time, even if it's on a tender. If it does fail and freeze I would rather not have it in the car. That is why I store mine in the basement over the winter.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 82
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From: Ontario
I’m in Canada and the winter months can be quite cold. I store my Z06 in the garage with a battery tender and car cover, I make sure the tires are up to the correct PSI, leave the windows slightly cracked to allow for some air flow and that’s it. I have been doing this for years with other vehicles that I have owned as well and have never had any issues in the spring, your battery will last just as long in the cold as it will in your basement if it is on a tender.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
I’m in Canada and the winter months can be quite cold. I store my Z06 in the garage with a battery tender and car cover, I make sure the tires are up to the correct PSI, leave the windows slightly cracked to allow for some air flow and that’s it. I have been doing this for years with other vehicles that I have owned as well and have never had any issues in the spring, your battery will last just as long in the cold as it will in your basement if it is on a tender.
Last edited by JR-01; Jan 29, 2020 at 07:40 AM.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 55
Likes: 11
I've had my 99 for 2 winters now. I asked the same question and decided to go with the "remove battery, good battery tender, and store in basement". The conversation went back and forth on freezing battery vs not. I'm in central MN where my garage will get to the negatives. I decided to play it on the safe side and move the battery to the basement. It might not be needed, but the extra 20 minutes out of my life to disconnect, carry it down in the winter and then up in the spring, In my mind is worth it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
I've had my 99 for 2 winters now. I asked the same question and decided to go with the "remove battery, good battery tender, and store in basement". The conversation went back and forth on freezing battery vs not. I'm in central MN where my garage will get to the negatives. I decided to play it on the safe side and move the battery to the basement. It might not be needed, but the extra 20 minutes out of my life to disconnect, carry it down in the winter and then up in the spring, In my mind is worth it.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 157
Likes: 48
From: Charlevoix, Mi
I’ve been leaving batteries in my sailboat stored outside for the last 35 years. Three group 31 batteries on separate maintainers. Have not had one freeze yet. During an unusually cold winter a few years ago we had 30 below night and a week or more of below zero temps. I’ve been putting AGM batteries in all of my vehicles as replacement is needed. Snowmobiles, antique motorcycles, antique tractor, sailboat as well as cars and trucks. For vehicles not used a lot or in prolonged storage they are especially great. With the damage that could be done in aC5 with a leaking battery I wouldn’t consider anything else.
Last edited by Bubba1951; Feb 9, 2020 at 03:44 PM.