winter storage -battery disconnect
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 198
Likes: 9
From: Loveland Colorado
winter storage -battery disconnect
what will occur with my 2000 vert if i disconnect the battery while in storage?what will i have to do once reconnected in the spring , probably in storage about 7-8months 
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 24,652
Likes: 298
From: NJ
St. Jude Donor '05-'08
I would hook your battery up to a battery tender during tha time to ensure it stays at full charge.
I think you will lose your Stereo settings, but it should not be locked. You might also lose any seat adjustment settings.....
I don't think you will have any real issues with your car, but things you should consider for sitting that long:
The tires developing a flat spot - you should over inflate them and try to park it on old rug or somethign instead of hard floor.
Gas going bad. Probably need to add some of that storage stuff to your tank (thats what I did for my motorcycle during the winter).
I think you will lose your Stereo settings, but it should not be locked. You might also lose any seat adjustment settings.....
I don't think you will have any real issues with your car, but things you should consider for sitting that long:
The tires developing a flat spot - you should over inflate them and try to park it on old rug or somethign instead of hard floor.
Gas going bad. Probably need to add some of that storage stuff to your tank (thats what I did for my motorcycle during the winter).
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 7,230
Likes: 0
From: Land of Sky Blue Waters
I disconnect my battery. It drops stereo settings. That's the only thing I've noticed that's a pain.
I get the 2" thick (?) pink insulation stuff to park the car on to avoid flat spots. They aren't a big deal anyway, really.
Fill the tank.
Moth ***** in stockings in the engine bay around the wiring - plus a few Bounce dryer sheets, too. (TIP: Make a map of where you put the bundles and don't use black stockings.
)
Bounce dryer sheets on dash, seats, etc. in the interior - as well as a 2 or 3 bars of Irish Spring soap. Mice are supposed to avoid it, apparently - and, if not, the car sure smells good in the Spring.
Steel wool stuffed into exhaust.
I get the 2" thick (?) pink insulation stuff to park the car on to avoid flat spots. They aren't a big deal anyway, really.
Fill the tank.
Moth ***** in stockings in the engine bay around the wiring - plus a few Bounce dryer sheets, too. (TIP: Make a map of where you put the bundles and don't use black stockings.
)Bounce dryer sheets on dash, seats, etc. in the interior - as well as a 2 or 3 bars of Irish Spring soap. Mice are supposed to avoid it, apparently - and, if not, the car sure smells good in the Spring.
Steel wool stuffed into exhaust.
Last edited by Postergeist; Sep 14, 2005 at 04:10 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
I used to do all that stuff but now I just go out and start my car once a week and get it up to operating temperature. I also move it back and forth a few times. However, I make sure it is parked a few inches different from last time so it's resting on a different part of the tires. I did this for 12 years with another one of my cars and still got a TON of money when I sold it and only had to replace the tires once due to the age and cracking (10 yr. old tires).
I would rather visit my baby and run it/sit in it than let it sit all winter. The moth *****, soap and dryer sheets are a GREAT idea if you have mice in the area. 
I would rather visit my baby and run it/sit in it than let it sit all winter.
The moth *****, soap and dryer sheets are a GREAT idea if you have mice in the area.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 959
Likes: 12
From: California CA
OK... just found out I will be transferred to China for a 2-year contract and going to have to put the Z06 into storage. I may get to visit once per year. Is there anything different I should do that hasne already been listed? eg. put it on jack stands to stop flat spots.
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Instructor
Joined: Dec 2004
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Yes, jack stands in the correct places are good. You can also take off the wheels and spray the rotor with WD-40 or similar and wrap them in plastic bags.
Depending on the storage facility, I would maybe contact someone close and personal, whom you trust with your life and have them go start your car once in a while to keep the cylinders from glazing, spot rusting, condensation, etc. I am still unsure as to whether or not a cyliner wall will rust with temperature changes in a "closed" environment but better safe than sorry.
Also, as someone stated above, depending on the facility, make sure to put moth ***** and perhaps a few "traps" of various sorts to keep critters away.
If I think of anything else, I'll add. Can we ask why you're going to China? I'd like to visit there one day.
Depending on the storage facility, I would maybe contact someone close and personal, whom you trust with your life and have them go start your car once in a while to keep the cylinders from glazing, spot rusting, condensation, etc. I am still unsure as to whether or not a cyliner wall will rust with temperature changes in a "closed" environment but better safe than sorry.
Also, as someone stated above, depending on the facility, make sure to put moth ***** and perhaps a few "traps" of various sorts to keep critters away.
If I think of anything else, I'll add. Can we ask why you're going to China? I'd like to visit there one day.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 788
Likes: 1
From: Lombard IL
Originally Posted by WTC5
Hook up Battery Tender, change oil/filter, fuel stabilizer, good wash, cleaning, wax, inflate tires to 40 psi, car cover, and daily visit. 
That's exactly what I have been doing for 5 yrs now and no issues-KNOCK ON WOOD!!
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 333
Likes: 1
From: Mendota Heights MN
I've been winter-storing cars for nearly 40 years with absolutely no problems. This spring I got one of my cars out of storage after 5 years -- put in a fresh battery, started it and drove it home! I have used the same regimen religiously with excellent results.
Certainly wash, wax, clean the interior, and the dryer sheets are very effective. The cleaner the car the better. Stabilize the fuel with Sta-bil or Sea Foam, change the oil and filter, disconnect and/or remove the battery, etc. If it's been more than a couple of years, replace the coolant. For long storage, you can also "fog" the cylinders with fogging oil or put a tablespoon of oil in each cylinder and spin the engine without the plugs to coat the cylinder walls. Cover it, and then just leave it alone.
Definitely DO NOT put your car on jack stands -- you don't want the suspension to "hang" in an un-natural position for that long. If you are really concerned about tires flat-spotting, (which is not a permanent condition), put the jack stands under the suspension, not the frame.
In the sping consider changing all fluids -- including the brake fluid, which is hydroscopic (absorbs water).
Certainly wash, wax, clean the interior, and the dryer sheets are very effective. The cleaner the car the better. Stabilize the fuel with Sta-bil or Sea Foam, change the oil and filter, disconnect and/or remove the battery, etc. If it's been more than a couple of years, replace the coolant. For long storage, you can also "fog" the cylinders with fogging oil or put a tablespoon of oil in each cylinder and spin the engine without the plugs to coat the cylinder walls. Cover it, and then just leave it alone.
Definitely DO NOT put your car on jack stands -- you don't want the suspension to "hang" in an un-natural position for that long. If you are really concerned about tires flat-spotting, (which is not a permanent condition), put the jack stands under the suspension, not the frame.
In the sping consider changing all fluids -- including the brake fluid, which is hydroscopic (absorbs water).
