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Hi, we recently purchased a '99 convert and since it's going to get cold here next week, I'm going to put it away in the garage for the winter. The oil and filter are new and I will be putting a battery tender and cover on. Is there anything else I can do to protect it over the winter. It's a small confined garage area so jacking it up off the ground isn't an option. Thanks for any advice. Dave
Me Too 6 Shooter Although living in MD we get a not so much Winter, usually, I drive the C5 Vert 12 months as long as no snow or salt is on the roads. Even if I lived in a State that had big time Winters, I would still drive when the conditions were good.
6 Shooter, the Lightning Patch from the 25th Div appears to indicate you were a member. I was with the 25th in VN. 'Fun time'.
I put the battery tender on only because last time I had to relearn the key fob and reset things. Before this all I did was unhook the battery as it’s going to set for probably 5 months. Would like also to hear other opinions on the battery
Me Too 6 Shooter Although living in MD we get a not so much Winter, usually, I drive the C5 Vert 12 months as long as no snow or salt is on the roads. Even if I lived in a State that had big time Winters, I would still drive when the conditions were good.
6 Shooter, the Lightning Patch from the 25th Div appears to indicate you were a member. I was with the 25th in VN. 'Fun time'.
I'm with you on that, I live just a few shakes up in Pennsylvania and, like said, I don't like disconnecting the Battery. The C5 has like 11 or 12 different modules on-board, hitting them with 12 volts on a regular basis isn't a great idea, and many of them aren't repairable. like your PC, turn it off every night and soon at some point your going to turn it on and POOF, it toast ! I fill the tires, the gas tank and put on a float charger and it's off to bed for both of us, but it's only going to be about 90 days, and we have had so little snow ( Like less than 3 inches last year ) so it's just a time to relax and plan more road trips for next year !
A good detail, full tank of gas with Stabil, and a battery tender for years. The winters in Eastern PA have been mild so I've been able to take the vette out to keep the fluids running.
carpet squares under each tire, full tank of gas, fabric softner in car, cover exhaust to keep mice out, put mouse traps around car add more air in tires
carpet squares under each tire, full tank of gas, fabric softner in car, cover exhaust to keep mice out, put mouse traps around car add more air in tires
A good detail, full tank of gas with Stabil, and a battery tender for years. The winters in Eastern PA have been mild so I've been able to take the vette out to keep the fluids running.
The best cars running the longest are police cars and taxi's what they share is that they rarely are every shut off, and their maintained on a strict basis. Thermal expansion and contraction are also minimal. Florida is great place to own a sports car, but too hot for me, but it's great for you folks down there.
Have any of you all stored your cars up on like quick jacks for the winter. Was thinking of trying that but putting some thin HDPE cutting boards under the pucks to keep mice from getting into the car, kind of like a squirrel guard. Any problems with storing the car on just the jack points?
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Originally Posted by Joe Scafide
carpet squares under each tire, full tank of gas, fabric softner in car, cover exhaust to keep mice out, put mouse traps around car add more air in tires
This is what I do along with add some Sta-BIL and a bottle of Techron to the gas before filling the tank up. I also keep the battery hooked to a battery tender.
I do store the car with fresh oil and filter in place.
If it's not too much trouble, I've always heard that it's best to lift the car off the floor an inch or two, to avoid flat spotting tires. Now that I've discovered Mouseblocker is for poop, when I do eventually store my car in the Winter again, I'm going to put it about 4 or 5 feet off the ground on my lift. Hopefully that will keep the $$%#@&)(**^$$ things from getting onto, or into, my car....
If you're 20 is Cleveland it is a real good idea'r to put a fuel stabilizer in the tank. Also if your car is going to get < 40* F for a long time, might consider buying a shop heater. The problems start when a warm car gets cold it creates condensation. that can do bad things to electrical, gauges, HVAC systems, and seats and carpeting if they cycle cold/hot continually. Unless you get sub 32* F & lower for most of the time which keeps things >/< dry.
Your enemy is when temps drop moisture is created. Oxidation and mildew happen
Which can be somewhat controlled by a couple of moisture collectors for the interior. They used to be called Dry Z Air, now Damp Rid can be a good idea
Don't forget to start the car every couple weeks if you can and run it up to operating temp. Tires ? Not that much to worry about. Like somebody said use carpet
Good Luck and enjoy the Cleveland weather
Last edited by Hary Gahtoe; Oct 30, 2023 at 01:51 PM.
As others have mentioned, a full tank of petrol will prevent condensation in the tank which could possibly allow rust to develop where petrol is not present. Stabil, Dry Gas or SeaFoam is also recommended.
As others have mentioned, a full tank of petrol will prevent condensation in the tank which could possibly allow rust to develop where petrol is not present. Stabil, Dry Gas or SeaFoam is also recommended.
Um.....The C5 tanks are plastic, so no rust there. But I agree with the full tank and fuel stabilizer....
We live in Central California so no winter storage here. When I do park my convertible for an extended time such as vacations I release the convertible latches to reduce strain on the convertible fabric. I lower the visors all the way down completely as a reminder to re-latch the top before driving. My Vette is an 02 vert and the top is still in like new condition with 79k on the odometer.
Storing my C5 convertible
Me Too 6 Shooter Although living in MD we get a not so much Winter, usually, I drive the C5 Vert 12 months as long as no snow or salt is on the roads. Even if I lived in a State that had big time Winters, I would still drive when the conditions were good. 
