More winter storage questions
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Farmington CT
More winter storage questions
I'm storing my C5 in an unheated locker with no electrical outlet.
Should I take the battery out now and put it on my CTEK charger or wait till spring? Does it make any difference?
Also it's due for an oil change. Same question - now, spring or does it make any difference?
I ran it on nice days last year but had to jump it each time. Kind of a nuisance, so thinking of just letting it sit till spring this year.
Thanks for any advice. (Aside from moving to Florida).
Should I take the battery out now and put it on my CTEK charger or wait till spring? Does it make any difference?
Also it's due for an oil change. Same question - now, spring or does it make any difference?
I ran it on nice days last year but had to jump it each time. Kind of a nuisance, so thinking of just letting it sit till spring this year.
Thanks for any advice. (Aside from moving to Florida).
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,334
Likes: 11
From: las vegas nv.
I'm storing my C5 in an unheated locker with no electrical outlet.
Should I take the battery out now and put it on my CTEK charger or wait till spring? Does it make any difference?
Also it's due for an oil change. Same question - now, spring or does it make any difference?
I ran it on nice days last year but had to jump it each time. Kind of a nuisance, so thinking of just letting it sit till spring this year.
Thanks for any advice. (Aside from moving to Florida).
Should I take the battery out now and put it on my CTEK charger or wait till spring? Does it make any difference?
Also it's due for an oil change. Same question - now, spring or does it make any difference?
I ran it on nice days last year but had to jump it each time. Kind of a nuisance, so thinking of just letting it sit till spring this year.
Thanks for any advice. (Aside from moving to Florida).
1/4 mile/AutoX
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,440
Likes: 2,184
From: Buffalo Texas
yes take the batt out, keep it in a semi-warm place, charge when needed. Lots of debate on oil change, I feel sitting all winter in a un-heated garage will cause condensation so change it in the spring.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
With no electrical power in the storage area, it would be a good idea to remove the battery and bring it inside. You can hook up a maintainer and leave it or just hook it up until the maintainer indicates a full charge then disconnect it. A battery just sitting on a shelf that has a full charge will be fine even after 3-4 months of not being connected to anything.
When you are ready to drive the car, it can't hurt to install the maintainer a day before, letting the battery come to a full charge then put the battery in the car.
You will have to reset all of the memory stuff and drive the car for awhile.
When you are ready to drive the car, it can't hurt to install the maintainer a day before, letting the battery come to a full charge then put the battery in the car.
You will have to reset all of the memory stuff and drive the car for awhile.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
Spoke to Evil Twin who is retired from GM and helped develop the oil life monitor (OLM) system in the C5. He was very specific, change the oil before storage to get clean oil on the bearings. Not sure how many miles are on your oil, but there is a reason GM requires annual change even if you don't drive much. Then, don't start over the winter.
As for the battery, pull it out and put it on your work bench. I charge mine with the CTEK once a month. No issues for a lot of years.
As for the battery, pull it out and put it on your work bench. I charge mine with the CTEK once a month. No issues for a lot of years.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 5,278
Likes: 539
From: Kelowna BC
If you change the oil now make sure you run it for a few minutes, then don't start again until spring. I change mine spring time (on ramps now so I don't start with old oil).
No outlet, move battery inside on maintainer.
No outlet, move battery inside on maintainer.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 24
Likes: 2
From: Elk River MN
As others have said. If you have no electrical, pull the battery until Spring and put it on a tender. You shouldn't have had to have been jumping the battery all Summer though, so replacement may be in order. As for oil, I've always been a fan of changing oil just before I put her away for the winter. I like to lift all four tires up of the concrete as well and put them on wheel dollies.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,258
Likes: 543
From: Appleton WI
Undoubtedly remove the battery. You're already having issues with it. A discharged battery will freeze. You don't want your battery to leak in your car.
Take the battery to have it load tested. If it is good, store it in your basement off the concrete. If bad toss it and wait till spring to buy new.
Take the battery to have it load tested. If it is good, store it in your basement off the concrete. If bad toss it and wait till spring to buy new.
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Spoke to Evil Twin who is retired from GM and helped develop the oil life monitor (OLM) system in the C5. He was very specific, change the oil before storage to get clean oil on the bearings. Not sure how many miles are on your oil, but there is a reason GM requires annual change even if you don't drive much. Then, don't start over the winter.
As for the battery, pull it out and put it on your work bench. I charge mine with the CTEK once a month. No issues for a lot of years.
As for the battery, pull it out and put it on your work bench. I charge mine with the CTEK once a month. No issues for a lot of years.
on both counts. I change the oil in mine at the time I put the car in storage for the winter. I have electrical outlets in my garage so no need to pull the battery out of my car, but since your storage place does not have electricity available, pull the battery and just connect it to your charger/maintainer every so often to keep it charged.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 788
Likes: 105
From: Olathe Kansas
Remove Battery- Then no chance of corrosion on terminals, spillage etc
Change The Oil --- No debate here. You don't want the condensation and pollutants
that are already in the oil to sit on your bearings, etc all winter.
Oil is Cheap !!! I've never figured out why people try to save
$45 A Year by NOT changing oil. It;s not a 1998 Honda Civic..'
It's a corvette - take care of it.. just my rant there.
BTW, I store mine in an unheated storage unit with my Seadoos. No Power Either.
and it's 55 miles away. I clean clean everything.. change oil. Fill up on NO Ethanol fuel,
put in Stabil in fuel and drive it down there...
In spirng , I put in battery back in (freshly charged), And drive it home.
Then I change oil and filter- shucks, another $45 .....
And I'm good for the summer (unless i get a summer I get to drive it alot)
Change The Oil --- No debate here. You don't want the condensation and pollutants
that are already in the oil to sit on your bearings, etc all winter.
Oil is Cheap !!! I've never figured out why people try to save
$45 A Year by NOT changing oil. It;s not a 1998 Honda Civic..'
It's a corvette - take care of it.. just my rant there.
BTW, I store mine in an unheated storage unit with my Seadoos. No Power Either.
and it's 55 miles away. I clean clean everything.. change oil. Fill up on NO Ethanol fuel,
put in Stabil in fuel and drive it down there...
In spirng , I put in battery back in (freshly charged), And drive it home.
Then I change oil and filter- shucks, another $45 .....
And I'm good for the summer (unless i get a summer I get to drive it alot)
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
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From: At the beach in little Rhody
One other thought for the OP, I am on the coast of RI and condensation is an issue. As stated, I change my oil before storage and remove the battery. I also store my car in a carbag, which keeps it absolutely dry and clean for the winter. Rotors don't even develop a layer of brown.