C5 Tech Corvette Tech/Performance: LS1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Storage

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 5, 2006 | 09:07 PM
  #1  
Pluto's Avatar
Pluto
Thread Starter
Cruising
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Edwardsburg MI
Default Storage

Should a 2004 that's being stored for the winter be started off and on? I do have a battery tender on it
Reply
Old Dec 5, 2006 | 09:32 PM
  #2  
screw991le's Avatar
screw991le
Race Director
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 17,786
Likes: 4
From: Redsox, Pats, Celts & Bruins !!! Redsox Nation !!!
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12
Default

Add some sta-bil, fill the tank, run the car to mix the 2 gas tanks, use the battery tender.

You'll be all set for months.
Reply
Old Dec 6, 2006 | 06:00 AM
  #3  
vettenuts's Avatar
vettenuts
Team Owner
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
 
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
Default

I don't start mine at all and pull the battery and bring it in the basement. I put the car into a carbag to keep it dry since I live in an area that is very very damp.
Reply
Old Dec 6, 2006 | 08:19 AM
  #4  
Pluto's Avatar
Pluto
Thread Starter
Cruising
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Edwardsburg MI
Default

Thanks guys I did put stabil in the tank changed the oil and ran it for about 10 minutes I guess I'm alright
Reply
Old Dec 6, 2006 | 10:24 AM
  #5  
Vetteoholic's Avatar
Vetteoholic
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,228
Likes: 5
From: Gainesville Georgia
Default

I keep Insurance on my Z all year. Even though It stays In the garage most of the Winter I will take her out for a quick ride If It's a nice rare 50* day and there Isn't much or any salt on the streets.
What I do Is top off all the fluids, change the oil/filter, Inflate the tires to 35 psi, detail It Inside/out plus the engine, Hook the battery tender up~put a thin towel on the fender Into the hood gap(So the cord Isn't touching my paint) close the hood but not clicking It shut. Then I put a nice car cover over her, set the garage heater to 67* & she's all good to go for the winter. Once a week I'll check on everything, & thats how I store my Z.

Last edited by Vetteoholic; Dec 6, 2006 at 10:26 AM.
Reply
Old Dec 6, 2006 | 12:03 PM
  #6  
rws.1's Avatar
rws.1
Race Director
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,794
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
Default

1. The issue with starting it and running it for a short period every so often is the water that is by product of the combustion process.
It leaves water in the oil and the exhaust sytem.... that leads to corrosion.
Even if you let it run 20 minutes and the engine is hot, as it cools, it will condense moisture out of surrounding air....
Metal + water = corrosion

2. cold starting induces the most wear, the fewer cold starts the better.


Letting it sit on a battery charger without running it, with a fuel stabilizer in a full tank is the best over winter storage advice.
Reply
Old Dec 6, 2006 | 12:08 PM
  #7  
gdphillipsvette's Avatar
gdphillipsvette
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 961
Likes: 0
From: Albuquerque NM
Default

Guys,
I don't want to hijack Pluto's thread, but what about when the car has to sit for 9 months?

I'm departing for Afghanistan for 9 months, home for two weeks, then back for another 6 months. Should I long term store it, or have the wife drive it occassionally?

Thanks, Gordon
Reply
Old Dec 6, 2006 | 12:47 PM
  #8  
vettenuts's Avatar
vettenuts
Team Owner
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
 
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
Default

Originally Posted by gdphillipsvette
Should I long term store it, or have the wife drive it occassionally?

Thanks, Gordon

Not sure, what is the bigger risk?

Just kidding. If you don't have the sand and salt issues we have, let your wife drive it occasionally. She will have to take it out often enough that the battery doesn't go dead though.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-7

Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Dec 7, 2006 | 09:24 AM
  #9  
Vetteoholic's Avatar
Vetteoholic
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,228
Likes: 5
From: Gainesville Georgia
Default

Originally Posted by rws.1
1. The issue with starting it and running it for a short period every so often is the water that is by product of the combustion process.
It leaves water in the oil and the exhaust sytem.... that leads to corrosion.
Even if you let it run 20 minutes and the engine is hot, as it cools, it will condense moisture out of surrounding air....
Metal + water = corrosion

2. cold starting induces the most wear, the fewer cold starts the better.


Letting it sit on a battery charger without running it, with a fuel stabilizer in a full tank is the best over winter storage advice.
Listen to this man
Reply
Old Dec 7, 2006 | 10:41 AM
  #10  
Pluto's Avatar
Pluto
Thread Starter
Cruising
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Edwardsburg MI
Default

Originally Posted by gdphillipsvette
Guys,
I don't want to hijack Pluto's thread, but what about when the car has to sit for 9 months?

I'm departing for Afghanistan for 9 months, home for two weeks, then back for another 6 months. Should I long term store it, or have the wife drive it occassionally?

Thanks, Gordon
Be safe over there
Reply
Old Dec 7, 2006 | 10:53 AM
  #11  
gdphillipsvette's Avatar
gdphillipsvette
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 961
Likes: 0
From: Albuquerque NM
Default

Thanks Pluto!
Reply
Old Dec 7, 2006 | 11:40 AM
  #12  
ytwokc5's Avatar
ytwokc5
Racer
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 397
Likes: 3
Default

The only argument I can make for starting occasionally in the winter is to run the A/C... keep those seals from drying out.
Reply
Old Dec 7, 2006 | 12:03 PM
  #13  
Tigershark3's Avatar
Tigershark3
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,993
Likes: 61
From: Fort Wayne IN
Default

My .02 - Don't start it unless you're going to drive it up to operating temperture.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Storage





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:54 PM.

story-0
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-1
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-20 17:58:41


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE
story-3
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

Slideshow: 5 most and least popular Corvette model years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-08 13:25:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette buyer's guide

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-17 16:41:08


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)

Slideshow: 10 things C8 Corvette owners hate, but won't tell you.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-01 18:36:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!

Slideshow: Should you add one of these incredible Corvettes to your garage?

By Brett Foote | 2026-04-01 18:14:05


VIEW MORE
story-7
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

Slideshow: Every Corvette Grand Sport explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-26 07:13:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!

Slideshow: Breaking down the 2027 Grand Sport, Grand Sport X, Stingray, and LS6 V8.

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-03-26 13:48:45


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!

Slideshow: 5 reasons bad drivers crash sports cars & 5 ways to avoid a costly shame!

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-25 16:32:55


VIEW MORE