Winter Storage Question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 169
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From: Milford Michigan
Winter Storage Question
My 04 C5 goes up on blocks 1st of November and does not come out to play until May 1st. It is covered and not started until spring. This year when I first started it I had a low battery and ran into some code gremlins that went away once the battery was charged. This year I am considering putting a battery tender on the car to maintain full charge through the winter. Any concerns that I should be aware of with this approach? ie. battery gases etc. that may be a problem. 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,019
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From: Chico CA
I've been around vehicles that have sat for long periods of time. My suggestion is to drive as frequently as possible (allowing for the weather of course). At least every two to three weeks for half an hour or so solid. My old Camaro started breaking down only AFTER I stopped driving it for the winter (talk about a surprise!). If you are not going to drive it at all I would suggest one of the zip lock type bags.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 19,557
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From: I love you & miss you Linda
2017 C7 of the Year Finalist
St. Jude Contributor
I use a Battery Tender every winter. Good thing.
I hope when you say it "goes up on blocks" that you are just saying that as a figure of speech.....
I can't imagine sitting one of these cars with the wheels just hanging for 6 months. Sounds bad..
I hope when you say it "goes up on blocks" that you are just saying that as a figure of speech.....
I can't imagine sitting one of these cars with the wheels just hanging for 6 months. Sounds bad..
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
No blocks.... just pump up the tires to 50 psi to minimize flat spotting. If you are a fanatic like me you then either jack the car up and rest the tires on tire cradles ( wheel dollies) or park the car on top of 2 inch thick blue styrofoam. The suspension should stay loaded
NO trickle charger that is 50's technology. You want a float charger. it has a microchip that measures the current loss and instantaneously matches it to ensure the battery is maintained at peak performance and no gasing issues.
Harbor Freight now has them on sale for $9. But you can spend up to $100 if you really feel the need.
No need to drive it at all. In fact driving it can be worse. If you do not built up sufficient heat for all fluids to get hot enough to evaporate water you will get condsensation which will cause internal rust.
It is far better to change the oil, run it for a couple minutes to cireculate the fresh oil and shut it off for the whole period.
NO trickle charger that is 50's technology. You want a float charger. it has a microchip that measures the current loss and instantaneously matches it to ensure the battery is maintained at peak performance and no gasing issues.
Harbor Freight now has them on sale for $9. But you can spend up to $100 if you really feel the need.
No need to drive it at all. In fact driving it can be worse. If you do not built up sufficient heat for all fluids to get hot enough to evaporate water you will get condsensation which will cause internal rust.
It is far better to change the oil, run it for a couple minutes to cireculate the fresh oil and shut it off for the whole period.
Race Director
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 14,542
Likes: 5
Originally Posted by rws.1
No need to drive it at all. In fact driving it can be worse. If you do not built up sufficient heat for all fluids to get hot enough to evaporate water you will get condsensation which will cause internal rust.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,405
Likes: 26
From: Whippany NJ
CI 6-7-8-9 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
NCM Sinkhole Donor
yeah, dont store it, real bad for the car especially the seals. needs to be driven! Most vette owners that store their cars have problems afterwards. your lucky you only had electrical problems last time. next time it could be bad engine problems.You can let it sit but it must be started and driven every 2 weeks.
Last edited by Ikester; Oct 12, 2005 at 10:16 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 144
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From: Shelton CT
Whether you run it or not: Make sure you keep the gas tank full so you don't get condensation (water in the fuel). Also use a fuel stabilizer like "Sta-bil". This will help minimize water and varnish build up in your fuel system during the cold months.
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,032
Likes: 9,790
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Originally Posted by rws.1
No need to drive it at all. In fact driving it can be worse. If you do not built up sufficient heat for all fluids to get hot enough to evaporate water you will get condsensation which will cause internal rust.
It is far better to change the oil, run it for a couple minutes to cireculate the fresh oil and shut it off for the whole period.
It is far better to change the oil, run it for a couple minutes to cireculate the fresh oil and shut it off for the whole period.
However, the best way to store them is to drive them. I started doing that on my C4 after Gordon Killebrew (of the old Corvette Action Center in the Bowling Green Plant) told me no car was ever made for sitting around. They should all be driven at least once per month for about 35 to 40 miles. This gets the fluids, exhaust and other things hot enough to get out any moisture, keeps the seals from drying out (especially automatic transmissions and A/C compressors) and keeps the drive train properly lubricated. It also has one other benefit it recharges the owner on that little trip. All winter long I look forward to a nice day with clear roads just to go and run it. I usually put 300 miles on the car from December through the early part of March.
Bill
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,571
Likes: 1
From: Hollywood Md
Frankly, I just don't know how some guys/gals do it. I would go nuts looking at my car in the garage for 6 months and not driving it.
I know Michigan winters are brutal, but surely there must be a nice day every two weeks or so. Scottyo, you have my deepest sympathy.
I know Michigan winters are brutal, but surely there must be a nice day every two weeks or so. Scottyo, you have my deepest sympathy.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,996
Likes: 77
From: Louisville KY
Storing a car is the worst thing you can do to it. I have noticed that most of the people who have problems with their cars seem to come from one of two camps; 1. the store it, no water on it, only sunny day, etc driver; and 2. the people who have done alot of mods. I have a 68 Camaro that I am the only owner of the car. It has 203K on it. After I quit driving it daily and totally restored it, then I started having simple problems, leaks, hard to start, rough idle, long time to smooth out, etc. My 03 mn6 has been and is going to be driven constantly. It was my only car for its first two years, I now have an old pick-up that I use to get mulch, soil etc. in, and now drive it when it rains. I am not washing the vette as often now. 
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
Lots of differing opinions on to store or not... that is a personal choice.
There are a lot of unfounded myths expressed about problems related to storage. My summer daily driver is a '2001 Vert with 86K miles.
My other Vette is an '88 Vert with 18K miles. They both get stored.
Neither has dry seals, neither is hard to start or has rough idle. Neither have any leaks what so ever.
Problems are due to one of 3 things...
1. worn out parts ( usually associated with use)
2. damaged parts ( usually associated with poor preventive maintenance)
3. bad parts ( luck of the draw)
I have 2 Vettes, a Trailblazer and an SRX. I choose to store the Vettes for the winter and drive the 2 all wheel drive vehicles during the Michigan winters. I do that for 2 reasons. 1. My family's safety. 2. I don't have time to keep 4 winter driven vehicles detailed to my standards.
Winter driving a high horsepower, rear wheel driven car with wide tires and low ground clearance can be tricky..... at times.
Make your own decison about driving or storage. But if you decide to store it... do it right.
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...e/storage.html
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...rage_form.html
Rich
There are a lot of unfounded myths expressed about problems related to storage. My summer daily driver is a '2001 Vert with 86K miles.
My other Vette is an '88 Vert with 18K miles. They both get stored.
Neither has dry seals, neither is hard to start or has rough idle. Neither have any leaks what so ever.
Problems are due to one of 3 things...
1. worn out parts ( usually associated with use)
2. damaged parts ( usually associated with poor preventive maintenance)
3. bad parts ( luck of the draw)
I have 2 Vettes, a Trailblazer and an SRX. I choose to store the Vettes for the winter and drive the 2 all wheel drive vehicles during the Michigan winters. I do that for 2 reasons. 1. My family's safety. 2. I don't have time to keep 4 winter driven vehicles detailed to my standards.
Winter driving a high horsepower, rear wheel driven car with wide tires and low ground clearance can be tricky..... at times.
Make your own decison about driving or storage. But if you decide to store it... do it right.
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...e/storage.html
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...rage_form.html
Rich
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 230
Likes: 0
From: Mt.Washington Kentucky
Originally Posted by EHS
If you plan on keeping it for forty years, this is correct. If not, the simplest winter storage is to drive the damn thing:
By the way, I have the same car. Sweet!!!!
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 10,295
Likes: 4
From: Downers Grove IL
St. Jude Donor '15
Mine was stored every winter since '98 by the previous owner. I will continue to do the same thing. I've had no problems whatsoever with dry seals, leaks, or any of the other storage problems. My father stores his old Mercedes from November to May in Michigan. All he does is add some fuel stabilizer and disconnect the battery. No problems at all with his car. Illinois winters are brutal on cars. That's why I'll drive my old '88 Honda Accord. Yes, I'll miss the Vette. However, I have no interest in hitting an ice patch and spinning it into a tree.
Race Director
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 14,542
Likes: 5
Originally Posted by rkerr1234
AMEN!!!!
By the way, I have the same car. Sweet!!!!
By the way, I have the same car. Sweet!!!!
Originally Posted by vetteconvert2
Awesome picture!!!!
Also note the OEM run flat M+S snow tires on the polished wheels.
It really does well in the snow -- a blast to drive.