Winter storage
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
From: Vicksburg Michigan
Winter storage
So how do you guys store your vettes for the winter months? I have an 08, I am done driving it until probably the end of April begining of May, I live in Michigan. What do you guys recommend to do with the battery? I was going to lift the car off the ground so the suspension could hang. I always change my fluids right before I get my cars out in the spring.
Thanks
Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 45,267
Likes: 8,542
From: Rochester, NY
I store mine for the Winter probably in a few weeks from now it will be done until April. I hook up a Battery Tender, dust it off, and put a cover on it, and that is it. Did this last year and no problems, others pump up the air pressure in the tires and quite a few other little steps that I do not bother with.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 353
Likes: 2
From: Edmonton Alberta
After asking myself the same question 1 month ago...my research lead me to this.
I detail the interior and exterior,
add fuel stabalizer,
park on rubber pads to keep the ice of the tires,
pressure tires to 35-40 psi,
plug my battery minder into the lighter and
put on car cover.
I change fluids in the spring.
I detail the interior and exterior,
add fuel stabalizer,
park on rubber pads to keep the ice of the tires,
pressure tires to 35-40 psi,
plug my battery minder into the lighter and
put on car cover.
I change fluids in the spring.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20,352
Likes: 568
From: Ventura County, Calif
The preferred method is to change the oil before storage. That way any contaminants, especially water, doesn't corrode the engine while sitting for several months. Here's a list that's been around here for several years. Not followed by everyone but it gives you a good idea what you might want to do for your car. 
Add Sta-Bil while filling gas tank; drive a few miles to distribute through fuel lines.
Change oil and filter.
Park on moisture barrier
Inflate tires to 38-40 psi cold.
Apply sealant, wax, etc. to exterior paint.
Apply leather dressing to seat panel.
Apply vinyl dressing to interior; and to exterior black trim pieces.
Hook up Battery Tender.
Crack windows a bit.
Cover with inside car cover.
Add Sta-Bil while filling gas tank; drive a few miles to distribute through fuel lines.
Change oil and filter.
Park on moisture barrier
Inflate tires to 38-40 psi cold.
Apply sealant, wax, etc. to exterior paint.
Apply leather dressing to seat panel.
Apply vinyl dressing to interior; and to exterior black trim pieces.
Hook up Battery Tender.
Crack windows a bit.
Cover with inside car cover.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 839
Likes: 0
From: North Shore MA
I'm pretty much done with my car for the season. If the weather is nice I'm going to let my father take it on a small road trip to NJ the weekend after Thanksgiving. After that I'm putting my winter wheels on then that's it till next year.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,867
Likes: 66
From: . Wyoming .
Racer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 335
Likes: 1
From: Lafayette, IN, USA
I just changed the oil and filter in my 08, and am going to hook up a tender to the battery as well as extra air in the tires. Do you have to disconnect the terminals from the battery before hooking up the tender or just hook them to the battery with terminals still on the battery?
Racer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 353
Likes: 2
From: Edmonton Alberta
I just changed the oil and filter in my 08, and am going to hook up a tender to the battery as well as extra air in the tires. Do you have to disconnect the terminals from the battery before hooking up the tender or just hook them to the battery with terminals still on the battery?
Lots of people plug the battery tender to the lighter.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,933
Likes: 13
From: The Beautiful Inland Empire WA.
I've heard NOT to let your tires and shocks hang at full extension and that is bad for the shocks to be fully extended that way...anyone else heard that? The rest of the advice you are getting is sound.
I think that it would be much better to pump up your tires to 38 to 40 pounds (remember to let the air out this next Spring!!) than to have your suspension at full extension all that time.........JMHO
I think that it would be much better to pump up your tires to 38 to 40 pounds (remember to let the air out this next Spring!!) than to have your suspension at full extension all that time.........JMHO
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,355
Likes: 11
From: Beverly Hills, MI
Much like post #5 and #6.
Differences:
I don't use fuel stabilizer. According to GM engineergs, if the car is parked for 5 months or less then fuel stabilizers are not required. Just fill the tank up to full.
I don't crack the windows. Instead, I use 5 lbs of dessicant inside and under the car along with bounce dryer sheets (keeps the pests away - do not place the dryer sheets directly on leather or carpet - it will leave a stain. I use aluminum foil to put the dryer sheets on.) After this, I use the carbag from http://www.carbag.com. They are a Michigan company in Bath, Michigan.
Differences:
I don't use fuel stabilizer. According to GM engineergs, if the car is parked for 5 months or less then fuel stabilizers are not required. Just fill the tank up to full.
I don't crack the windows. Instead, I use 5 lbs of dessicant inside and under the car along with bounce dryer sheets (keeps the pests away - do not place the dryer sheets directly on leather or carpet - it will leave a stain. I use aluminum foil to put the dryer sheets on.) After this, I use the carbag from http://www.carbag.com. They are a Michigan company in Bath, Michigan.
Pro
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 577
Likes: 2
From: Downriver MI
The preferred method is to change the oil before storage. That way any contaminants, especially water, doesn't corrode the engine while sitting for several months. Here's a list that's been around here for several years. Not followed by everyone but it gives you a good idea what you might want to do for your car.
Add Sta-Bil while filling gas tank; drive a few miles to distribute through fuel lines.
Change oil and filter.
Park on moisture barrier
Inflate tires to 38-40 psi cold.
Apply sealant, wax, etc. to exterior paint.
Apply leather dressing to seat panel.
Apply vinyl dressing to interior; and to exterior black trim pieces.
Hook up Battery Tender.
Crack windows a bit.
Cover with inside car cover.
Add Sta-Bil while filling gas tank; drive a few miles to distribute through fuel lines.
Change oil and filter.
Park on moisture barrier
Inflate tires to 38-40 psi cold.
Apply sealant, wax, etc. to exterior paint.
Apply leather dressing to seat panel.
Apply vinyl dressing to interior; and to exterior black trim pieces.
Hook up Battery Tender.
Crack windows a bit.
Cover with inside car cover.
Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 267
Likes: 0
From: Peterborough NH
After she has had a shower and wipe down, I
1. fill tank and add stabilizer, and take for a short spin to get the stabil thru the system;
2. put moisture barrier down on garage floor = painters plastic on floor and pieces of plywood under each tire;
3. fill tires up to 40# air;
4. disconnect the battery;
5. put tennis ***** in the exhaust outlets to keep out critters;
6. cover til April 1st.
1. fill tank and add stabilizer, and take for a short spin to get the stabil thru the system;
2. put moisture barrier down on garage floor = painters plastic on floor and pieces of plywood under each tire;
3. fill tires up to 40# air;
4. disconnect the battery;
5. put tennis ***** in the exhaust outlets to keep out critters;
6. cover til April 1st.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
wash/wax/detail, change oil/filter, aerospace 303 on weather stripping,
tires at 45 psi, seafoam in full gas tank, dessicant in interior, park on 4 pink styrofoam pads on top of a heavy platic tarp, double cover, heated garage, battery float charger, admire work, drink beer ( several)
tires at 45 psi, seafoam in full gas tank, dessicant in interior, park on 4 pink styrofoam pads on top of a heavy platic tarp, double cover, heated garage, battery float charger, admire work, drink beer ( several)
