Winter Hibernation
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,476
Likes: 45
From: One of the Edema Ruh
I understand the snow and salt, but I don't understand why you put the car up in the winter if you don't have a major snow storm. I live in Florida been here since 1968, but I grew up in Chicago. I can remember winters where there was no snow until later in the season. I would hate to store my Vette if there was still days to drive it.
The salt/sand mix they put down stays until March/April when we get a few really good rains to wash it all off. Then there's the fun of all the snow melt off draining into the roads making a mess.
It's not easy keeping cars clean and looking good after the first snow fall. All that salt/sand is rough on your paint. Then when temps are in the teens or below for weeks at a time there's no washing the cars down especially a vette with the indexing windows. Water freezes in there and you're going to have fun getting in or out
Plus these cars aren't very fun to drive in the cold weather IMO. They get squirrely easy at 45*. I'd hate to see what they are like at 20*
All that said there are still guys who drive them all winter long. Power to em if that's what they want. I prefer to put her to bed and break her out when things start coming back to life
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,810
Likes: 0
From: Door County, WI
I would just add that I put a moisture barrier between my tires and the floor the entire length of the car. My other car brings in plenty of moisture during the winter so it's just a precaution since they sit next to each other. I do the same for my motorcyle.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,555
Likes: 1,255
From: Saint Albans, WV
My garage floor is coated and draws moisture in the winter (doesn't soak into the concrete) when I don't have the heat on so I keep a small blower running on low speed at the rear of the car all winter to keep air flow under the car. Absolutely no moisture at all.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,555
Likes: 1,255
From: Saint Albans, WV
I understand the snow and salt, but I don't understand why you put the car up in the winter if you don't have a major snow storm. I live in Florida been here since 1968, but I grew up in Chicago. I can remember winters where there was no snow until later in the season. I would hate to store my Vette if there was still days to drive it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,056
Likes: 10
From: Wisconsin
I am from Wisconsin as well. The advice you have recieved here is quite valid. The only other thing I do, even though the car is covered and garaged, is put some of those laundry softer sheets in the exhaust pipes and I put a couple in the car as well.
Have been told that will assist in keeping rodents away from your car. I also put a couple under the car too.
Your car will be just fine when springs arrives. It is so far off into the future that I cannot think that far ahead.
Remember to take your liability and whatever else you insurance agent recommends while the car is in storage.
Have been told that will assist in keeping rodents away from your car. I also put a couple under the car too.
Your car will be just fine when springs arrives. It is so far off into the future that I cannot think that far ahead.
Remember to take your liability and whatever else you insurance agent recommends while the car is in storage.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 11,351
Likes: 2,445
From: Eastern
I understand the snow and salt, but I don't understand why you put the car up in the winter if you don't have a major snow storm. I live in Florida been here since 1968, but I grew up in Chicago. I can remember winters where there was no snow until later in the season. I would hate to store my Vette if there was still days to drive it.
It's safer to just put it up in late November, and not worry until April 1, when the rain has washed away the salt, and the DOH has vacuumed up the sand from the roadways.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 639
Likes: 48
From: North Carolina
I live in Kenosha, WI (Southeast, just over the IL border) and getting ready to do the same thing. It sucks, but I have a plan for my Winter mods, so she will look different in the Spring when the cover comes off. I have everything I need to put her away properly. I got my cover from Cover King via Summit Racing for indoor use only. Good Luck on your storage... Brian
Brian
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,248
Likes: 4
From: Palm Beach County, Florida
In the Northeast, especially near the Ocean, we normally don't get snow until just before Christmas, but when we do, the DOH put sand/salt mixture down for melting the ice and snow, and to drive a car in that situation, is like putting your front end into a sandblaster.
It's safer to just put it up in late November, and not worry until April 1, when the rain has washed away the salt, and the DOH has vacuumed up the sand from the roadways.
It's safer to just put it up in late November, and not worry until April 1, when the rain has washed away the salt, and the DOH has vacuumed up the sand from the roadways.
A little snow around here and it's like driving on a pretzel.
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CF Community Team
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Cape Cod, Mass.
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I keep the tender on the Z06 because I like to sneak it out if the road conditions and weather permits.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,792
Likes: 98
From: Marlborough Ma
Well, I guess that is your opinion and we will agree to disagree. A full tank of gas, even with ethanol, will not degrade appreciably over what I consider to be short term storage of 4 months, December through March. As I said Stabil won't hurt but I've never used it and have never had any issues. I change the oil once a year on all my cars and it makes sense to have clean oil in the motor over the winter, synthetic or not. After 41 years of Corvetting and storage, I think I've found something that works.
I keep the tender on the Z06 because I like to sneak it out if the road conditions and weather permits.
I keep the tender on the Z06 because I like to sneak it out if the road conditions and weather permits.
I have to change it once a year, so fall works for me. Had a boat winterized by a so called pro, He didn't change the oil as I requested. In spring under the fill cap it looked very bad. The valve cover was also coated with crud. It was from the moisture and acid in the oil. So I always change the oil in the fall!
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 10,776
Likes: 11
Here is what I do:
-change oil in the fall just before putting it to sleep.
-don't bother to cover it as I want to see it during the winter.
-put the maintainer on it the day I change the insurance.
-fill the car with best gas I can find and add a bit of FRESH Sta-bil.
-put the dryer sheets in the exhaust and the engine compartment.
-make sure that I have proper coolant mix and levels.
BTW, I also flushed coolant system this year but if you haven't and it needs it, git 'er done!
-change oil in the fall just before putting it to sleep.
-don't bother to cover it as I want to see it during the winter.
-put the maintainer on it the day I change the insurance.
-fill the car with best gas I can find and add a bit of FRESH Sta-bil.
-put the dryer sheets in the exhaust and the engine compartment.
-make sure that I have proper coolant mix and levels.
BTW, I also flushed coolant system this year but if you haven't and it needs it, git 'er done!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 974
Likes: 1
Guys I never do any of these things with any of my cars. I jut park them in the garage, and drive them when the weather is clear. Yeah it may be cold, but I just wait until the snow is all dried up on the streets and just joy ride it. Unless you live in a place where the streets are completely packed down with snow all winter long, then why park them? These cars love the cold, and thats when you feel like you have the most power....lol No need to park them. Obviously I dont drive them in the snow or salt covered streets, but that literally only happens a few times in the winter here in the midwest.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 10,776
Likes: 11
Guys I never do any of these things with any of my cars. I jut park them in the garage, and drive them when the weather is clear. Yeah it may be cold, but I just wait until the snow is all dried up on the streets and just joy ride it. Unless you live in a place where the streets are completely packed down with snow all winter long, then why park them? These cars love the cold, and thats when you feel like you have the most power....lol No need to park them. Obviously I dont drive them in the snow or salt covered streets, but that literally only happens a few times in the winter here in the midwest.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 25,013
Likes: 80
From: Manitoba/San Jose del Cabo
Cruise-In III Veteran
St. Jude Donor '11
Doing an oil change in the spring is fine, no matter what some people here say. It has been discussed ad nausea and it all comes down to a personal preference, but there are NO ILL effects whatsoever by waiting until spring, again, no matter what some members say.
On a side note, I DON'T put a cover on my cars, as I go in my heated garage just to work on them and just to stare at them all winter long.
On a side note, I DON'T put a cover on my cars, as I go in my heated garage just to work on them and just to stare at them all winter long.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 10,776
Likes: 11
Doing an oil change in the spring is fine, no matter what some people here say. It has been discussed ad nausea and it all comes down to a personal preference, but there are NO ILL effects whatsoever by waiting until spring, again, no matter what some members say.
On a side note, I DON'T put a cover on my cars, as I go in my heated garage just to work on them and just to stare at them all winter long.
On a side note, I DON'T put a cover on my cars, as I go in my heated garage just to work on them and just to stare at them all winter long.
I also don't put a cover on mine.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 5,832
Likes: 1,682
From: Rochester New York
When I lived in Rochester NY (now live in SC) my procedure for storing the Vette was as follows. Fill up the gas tank, change the oil and filter, pump up the tires to 36 psi, hook up the battery tender, wax it and put on a dust cover. And... wait 6 months until spring.
Happy to say that I no longer have to do this and will now be enjoying a Vette all year long!
Happy to say that I no longer have to do this and will now be enjoying a Vette all year long!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 974
Likes: 1
Right. Do not turn off the advance trac, just the traction control. Then enjoy those 3rd gear rolling burnouts you can now do with your stock car. Love this time of the year. Spring is actually disappointing, because the car doesnt feel as nice as it does in winter. I will be one of those still enjoying my car, even on those super cold days. I just wont be driving it in the snow. No harm in that.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,342
Likes: 604
I live near Minneapolis, and last Winter, I was driving my ZR1 in February. So, this Winter, I'm not going to bother tucking her away for storage. With all of this global warming going on, Vette's are now year round toys.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 119
Likes: 43
From: New Jersey
I plan on doing all off the above, however, I am still searching for a solid answer in regards to changing the oil prior to storage, or waiting until the spring to change it.
All of the responses I have received are about 50/50.
Agree, if there is someone out there who is an oil engineer, or engine builder, it would be great to hear what you have to say.
Thanks!
All of the responses I have received are about 50/50.
Agree, if there is someone out there who is an oil engineer, or engine builder, it would be great to hear what you have to say.
Thanks!