Storage
Thread Starter
1st Gear
Joined: Dec 2010
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Storage
2010 Coupe parked for the Winter; is it a good idea to run engine monthly, allow engine to warm up, charge battery, and then shut off for another 30 days? Garage temp 40F.
Last edited by bruner; Dec 17, 2010 at 09:45 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,019
Likes: 2,712
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
There was an interview with a GM powertrain engineer, not sure of the date, saying he preferred to start his engine once a week if possible. There was no comment about how long to run the engine.
I follow that advice if not driving mine much because of the weather. Once a week, I'll start it and let it idle while I exercise every switch and control I can reach. That takes over 20 minutes (!) and allows the oil temp to get up around 180'F. Then I take it outside and go up and down my driveway a few times, shut down in garage. I put the charger on it only long enough to top off the battery, then wait another week. Works for me, but the "store it and forget it" technique seems to work just as well.
I follow that advice if not driving mine much because of the weather. Once a week, I'll start it and let it idle while I exercise every switch and control I can reach. That takes over 20 minutes (!) and allows the oil temp to get up around 180'F. Then I take it outside and go up and down my driveway a few times, shut down in garage. I put the charger on it only long enough to top off the battery, then wait another week. Works for me, but the "store it and forget it" technique seems to work just as well.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 35,767
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From: Northern NYs Adirondack Mountains,http://www.visitsacandaga.com.
No leave it off. Hook up a TENDER, Stable in gas and 40 lbs in the tires.
Been storing since I got my first C5 in 98. I store from early Nov till mid April
Been storing since I got my first C5 in 98. I store from early Nov till mid April
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,529
Likes: 3
From: Arlington VA
The argument I have heard for starting once a month is to burn off any condensation. You would need to get it up to temperature to do that.
Either way, you should disconnect the negative terminal at the very least to save the battery. The short start / warm up will not fully recharge the battery, even a short drive usually wont.
Either way, you should disconnect the negative terminal at the very least to save the battery. The short start / warm up will not fully recharge the battery, even a short drive usually wont.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,231
Likes: 25
From: Amherst, NY
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,529
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From: Arlington VA
From
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/.../storage4.html
Engine Start
Last but not least: "Should I start my Corvette periodically, or leave it alone until it's ready to come out of storage?" This is definitely the most commonly asked question when it comes to automotive storage and there seems to be two opposing sides. One side feels that you should start your car at least once per month and let it run for a good 20 minutes plus until the cooling fans kick in. The other side feels that you should leave the car alone until it's time to remove it from storage. Again, we asked David Scott at GM. "It is always best to start your vehicle once a month if possible."
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,019
Likes: 2,712
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
You are correct, that's the article I was referring to and the interval is once a month.
Having been corrected; I must now decide whether once a week is still a good idea, or go to the once a month startup. On airplanes, once a week was considered better but the LS3 ain't a Merlin.
Having been corrected; I must now decide whether once a week is still a good idea, or go to the once a month startup. On airplanes, once a week was considered better but the LS3 ain't a Merlin.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 19,459
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From: Schaumburg IL
CI 7-8-9-11 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
I never start mine, I just leave it sit from Nov-April. If you are going to start it, I would let it get up to operating temp, otherwise you are doing more harm than good.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 41,732
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From: Springfield MO
No way would I start my Z06 up once a month. If the temp is even in the 50's I can't get the oil temp above 135 degrees when driving the car for an hour. I'm not going to run the car with the garage door closed, so the garage will get really cold, really fast, compounding the problem of getting the oil up to temp.
It's put away for the winter(tires aired and float charger connected) and my garage never dips below 45 degrees, even if it's below zero outside and doesnt go much higher then than on a warm winter day. With the temp in my garage fairly consistent I don't see how condensation can be a problem, until the day I do start it up next spring. That day will be a nice day to take it for a cruise and long enough to get the oil to a decent temp.
It's put away for the winter(tires aired and float charger connected) and my garage never dips below 45 degrees, even if it's below zero outside and doesnt go much higher then than on a warm winter day. With the temp in my garage fairly consistent I don't see how condensation can be a problem, until the day I do start it up next spring. That day will be a nice day to take it for a cruise and long enough to get the oil to a decent temp.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 448
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From: MCHENRY ILLINOIS
sleeping z
I filled the tank ,put on the batt. tender,jacked the car put on frame. so wheels and susp. can hang , and avoid flat spots on tires ,kind a like putting your feet up after a long day at work 
spring is a comming . and so is Christmas. if you do start your car make sure you run it till nice and warm , hope this helps works for me 
merry xmas to all . and to all may your z have a safe and restfull night 
spring is a comming . and so is Christmas. if you do start your car make sure you run it till nice and warm , hope this helps works for me merry xmas to all . and to all may your z have a safe and restfull night
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 12,182
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From: Carmel IN
Only thing I do beyond this is to place plastic sheating underneath my Vette to serve as a moisture barrier. I place the sheating on the concrete garage floor and drive the Vette onto it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 5,738
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From: Milford NH
I filled the tank ,put on the batt. tender,jacked the car put on frame. so wheels and susp. can hang , and avoid flat spots on tires ,kind a like putting your feet up after a long day at work spring is a comming . and so is Christmas. if you do start your car make sure you run it till nice and warm , hope this helps works for me merry xmas to all . and to all may your z have a safe and restfull night
spring is a comming . and so is Christmas. if you do start your car make sure you run it till nice and warm , hope this helps works for me merry xmas to all . and to all may your z have a safe and restfull night
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,019
Likes: 2,712
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
Probably true. In my case, just letting it idle while I exercise all the various switches and controls, is long enough for the oil to get up to 180'F. Coolant gets to 190 long before that, of course.
