winter storage
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: Palatine Il.
winter storage
I hate to think about it but in the north we are 30 days away. anyway
if I store in a rented area without power should I pull the battery and
bring it home and keep a charge on it?
if I store in a rented area without power should I pull the battery and
bring it home and keep a charge on it?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,151
Likes: 69
From: Odenton MD
I need to store my C6 Z06 and am planning on doing the following please let me know if i am missing anything because I have never stored a car ever. I am planning on storing for about 4 months:
1) Battery tender
2) Car cover
3) Wash and wax
4) Fresh oil
5) Moth ***** under the hood
6) Tire pressure to 40psi (don't have jacks)
7) Gas stabilizer
Thanks!
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 45,267
Likes: 8,542
From: Rochester, NY
ttt
I need to store my C6 Z06 and am planning on doing the following please let me know if i am missing anything because I have never stored a car ever. I am planning on storing for about 4 months:
1) Battery tender
2) Car cover
3) Wash and wax
4) Fresh oil
5) Moth ***** under the hood
6) Tire pressure to 40psi (don't have jacks)
7) Gas stabilizer
Thanks!
I need to store my C6 Z06 and am planning on doing the following please let me know if i am missing anything because I have never stored a car ever. I am planning on storing for about 4 months:
1) Battery tender
2) Car cover
3) Wash and wax
4) Fresh oil
5) Moth ***** under the hood
6) Tire pressure to 40psi (don't have jacks)
7) Gas stabilizer
Thanks!
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Yes. But don't store it in your house. See the above re what else you might do with the car.
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Ostrander Ohio
I would also add some kind of rodent bait/trap. The critters can climb a tire and get into your wiring and make a nest. My lawn tractor wouldn't start, and a mouse had made a nest under the carburetor and chewed up wires for nest material. Slip the trap/bait under the car so a pets will not be able to get at it.
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 15,323
Likes: 2,077
From: Guelph, Ontario
ttt
I need to store my C6 Z06 and am planning on doing the following please let me know if i am missing anything because I have never stored a car ever. I am planning on storing for about 4 months:
1) Battery tender
2) Car cover
3) Wash and wax
4) Fresh oil
5) Moth ***** under the hood
6) Tire pressure to 40psi (don't have jacks)
7) Gas stabilizer
Thanks!
I need to store my C6 Z06 and am planning on doing the following please let me know if i am missing anything because I have never stored a car ever. I am planning on storing for about 4 months:
1) Battery tender
2) Car cover
3) Wash and wax
4) Fresh oil
5) Moth ***** under the hood
6) Tire pressure to 40psi (don't have jacks)
7) Gas stabilizer
Thanks!
For only 4 months the gas stabilizer is not necessary. Gas will not go bad that quickly. I've stored lots of high performance cars for a 4 month winter period and never used stabilizer and never had a problem. Just remember that the octane level will go down over that period of time, so don't drive it too hard until you've burned off that first tank of fuel and refilled with fresh stuff. Stabilizer won't change that octane drop by the way.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20,352
Likes: 568
From: Ventura County, Calif
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,702
Likes: 192
From: Northwestern Connecticut
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '26
Mouse control is big. Bait outside the car so as not to attract them into the car, (i.e. no mouse traps with peanut butter inside the car) but a couple of those cube things under the hood are usually ok. I also stuff some old socks in the exhaust pipes to keep the mice from wanting to build nests up there. -Dan
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 1,405
Likes: 17
From: Danville IL
elmwoood -
I used to live near you in A.H. - but now am 150 miles south, so I get to drive it at least 3 days per month thru-out the winter. Like others have said: fuel stabilizer not needed and, don't worry about tires. BUT those darn rodents --- they just destroyed the harness on my Toyota (parked outside all summer) to the tune of $2,100 !! Luckily the insurance covered it under "Comprehensive". I've got a new storage spot this winter and I, too, will have to plan for the rodents.
I used to live near you in A.H. - but now am 150 miles south, so I get to drive it at least 3 days per month thru-out the winter. Like others have said: fuel stabilizer not needed and, don't worry about tires. BUT those darn rodents --- they just destroyed the harness on my Toyota (parked outside all summer) to the tune of $2,100 !! Luckily the insurance covered it under "Comprehensive". I've got a new storage spot this winter and I, too, will have to plan for the rodents.
Last edited by K9KUZ; Oct 1, 2009 at 10:44 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 226
Likes: 0
I would also add some kind of rodent bait/trap. The critters can climb a tire and get into your wiring and make a nest. My lawn tractor wouldn't start, and a mouse had made a nest under the carburetor and chewed up wires for nest material. Slip the trap/bait under the car so a pets will not be able to get at it.
No need to lift the car or over inflate the tires, especially with run flats that can support the car without air. They won't flat spot.
I thought running the car up to temp every few weeks was good also but I've since learned that it's hard on the exhaust. Water vapour doesn't blow out etc. It's better to leave it alone for the months of winter.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 19,574
Likes: 167
From: Frederick, MD
I live in the land of snow (IE Utah) and even I can find a clear day to get the Vette out of the garage for a quick drive that way all lubricated parts (IE rear end/tranny) will stay fresh instead of just the engine when you just idle.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,194
Likes: 2
From: Murphy NC
St. Jude Donor '14-'15-17-'18-'19, '21,'24-'25-'26
Nooooo! Its too early to think about putting the Vette to sleep. I'm getting depresed enough dealing with the lousy weather and the short days. 
Racer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 414
Likes: 0
From: Centerville Ohio
[QUOTE=Patman;1571684383]For only 4 months the gas stabilizer is not necessary. Gas will not go bad that quickly.QUOTE]
I disagree with this statement.....I think you will find that in some instances, gas will start to go stale much sooner. For the cost and piece of mind, I ad Stabil anytime I store any vehicle for over 30 days.......just MHO.
I disagree with this statement.....I think you will find that in some instances, gas will start to go stale much sooner. For the cost and piece of mind, I ad Stabil anytime I store any vehicle for over 30 days.......just MHO.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,470
Likes: 1
From: New Jersey - National Corvette Museum Member '08, '09, '10, '11, '12
You don't need to have it constantly hooked up. Every other weekend I would put the Bat. Tender on for 2 days. Worked great.