Winter storage
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 754
Likes: 79
From: Jacobstown, New Jersey
Winter storage
This will be my 1st winter storage for my 13'GS. It will be covered in my garage but my only question is, is it better to jack it up so the weight is off the tires and suspension on just let it set on pieces of carpet on the concrete floor ???
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20,352
Likes: 568
From: Ventura County, Calif
Air up the tires to 40 psi and park on at least a moisture barrier or carpet, wood, rubber, just so tires aren't sitting on bare concrete, if that's what you have.
Here's a storage discussion going over in Tech:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...he-winter.html
Here's a storage discussion going over in Tech:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...he-winter.html
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 5,584
Likes: 406
From: Syracuse New York
Inflate the tires to about 40 psi, get a bottle of StaBil and add a full tank of Premium, drive a couple miles to get it in the system, clean car in and out, park on either carpet, rubber or wood, get a good quality indoor cover and most important, GET A BATTERY MAINTAINER and plug the car in. I (and a lot on this forum) use the CTEK unit, and I use the "Comfort Connect" option, it plugs into the hot outlet in the car, run the cord out the rain slot on the passenger door and plug it in. Car will be good until spring.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 524
Likes: 0
Cover, stabil, disconnect battery, plug pipes with rags. Tires on concrete is a non-issue. My tires have sat on bare concrete for long MN winters for years without issue. Heck, I've had cars site for 3 years with no probs whatsoever. Which brings to mind, we need to start a 'bury-the-myth' thread, not to 'knock' others, but to just inform folks and keep everyone updated.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2013
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From: Colorado
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In addition to what has been mentioned already; be sure to cover your exhaust outlets to keep critters from climbing in and using it as a winter home. 
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Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 19,459
Likes: 48
From: Schaumburg IL
CI 7-8-9-11 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
Cover, stabil, disconnect battery, plug pipes with rags. Tires on concrete is a non-issue. My tires have sat on bare concrete for long MN winters for years without issue. Heck, I've had cars site for 3 years with no probs whatsoever. Which brings to mind, we need to start a 'bury-the-myth' thread, not to 'knock' others, but to just inform folks and keep everyone updated.
especially on inflating up the tires to 40 PSI. I've been storing cars now each winter for 10+ years , always just left the recommended pressure in the tires and never had an issue.Stabil in tank, Battery Tender, car cover, and cover exhaust pipes in case of critters and thats it. Really, critters will find a way in the car even if you cover the exhaust, they can get in under the car and into the engine bay anyway
There are urban myths as to what keeps critters out also... moth *****, and other things
Pro
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 524
Likes: 0
especially on inflating up the tires to 40 PSI. I've been storing cars now each winter for 10+ years , always just left the recommended pressure in the tires and never had an issue.Stabil in tank, Battery Tender, car cover, and cover exhaust pipes in case of critters and thats it. Really, critters will find a way in the car even if you cover the exhaust, they can get in under the car and into the engine bay anyway
There are urban myths as to what keeps critters out also... moth *****, and other things 
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,353
Likes: 541
From: Sarasota FL
St. Jude Donor '25-'26
I do the yearly oil change before the car is stored. I prefer having the car sit in clean oil rather than dirty oil for the winter.
Never flat spotted a modern tire but I do add a few psi to the tires. Not sure what the deal is with keeping the tires off of concrete. Plus wash, battery tender, Stabil, and cover.
Never flat spotted a modern tire but I do add a few psi to the tires. Not sure what the deal is with keeping the tires off of concrete. Plus wash, battery tender, Stabil, and cover.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 587
Likes: 51
From: Shanghai
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2012
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2015 C6 of the Year Finalist
I lived up North for many years so I understand 1st hand what you guys are doing.
Here in South Florida, it's exactly the reverse. I don't drive my 'vette all that much during the summer months. It's beastly hot & humid, tropical storms, etc.
However, from mid-November until at least mid-April, we have 5 months of blue skies, sunshine, and temps in the 60s to 70s, all the time. Top down, or off, as the case may be, for months.
Just great! I'm looking forward to it.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 11,973
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From: Tonawanda New York
Wax car
Clean inside and add desiccant bags
Fill tank
Pump up tires to 38lbs.
Connect battery maintainer
Put car cover on
Say goodnight
That's my routine from around Thanksgiving until April. During winter I get my Corvette fix driving one on GT5 on my PS3!!
Clean inside and add desiccant bags
Fill tank
Pump up tires to 38lbs.
Connect battery maintainer
Put car cover on
Say goodnight
That's my routine from around Thanksgiving until April. During winter I get my Corvette fix driving one on GT5 on my PS3!!
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 26,745
Likes: 694
From: PA
Also, if you have any idea that mice could be in your garage I would having you at LEAST tape off the exhaust tips.
My first Corvette came out of storage in my parents garage (in the country, 15 minutes from paved road) and when I started it the thing would barely run. I then smelled something and it was dog food that mice had stored in the damn mufflers. I gave a rev or two and then dog food started spitting out the mufflers. Had to replace them. lol
My first Corvette came out of storage in my parents garage (in the country, 15 minutes from paved road) and when I started it the thing would barely run. I then smelled something and it was dog food that mice had stored in the damn mufflers. I gave a rev or two and then dog food started spitting out the mufflers. Had to replace them. lol
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 19,459
Likes: 48
From: Schaumburg IL
CI 7-8-9-11 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
I have bought into the moth ball myth to keep critters away
I stick a tin pan under the car with moth ***** in it someone told me they don't like the smell or something. Oh well its cheap and takes about 30 sec to do. I do the yearly oil change before the car is stored. I prefer having the car sit in clean oil rather than dirty oil for the winter.
Never flat spotted a modern tire but I do add a few psi to the tires. Not sure what the deal is with keeping the tires off of concrete. Plus wash, battery tender, Stabil, and cover.
Never flat spotted a modern tire but I do add a few psi to the tires. Not sure what the deal is with keeping the tires off of concrete. Plus wash, battery tender, Stabil, and cover.
He told me letting the car sit with dirty oil in it is not going to hurt anything...after all car is not running anyway, and with todays oils its not really an issue.