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Winter storage
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 1,286
Likes: 77
From: Guelph Ontario
Winter storage
Hello all
I plan on putting my car away for the winter.
In the past I just removed the battery on my car (Porsche 911 no electronics).
With a C6 would it be better to get a Battery Tender to save all the electronic settings?
Or remove the battery and re-set everything in the spring?
What does the Corvette brain trust suggest?
Thanks in advance
Brian
I plan on putting my car away for the winter.
In the past I just removed the battery on my car (Porsche 911 no electronics).
With a C6 would it be better to get a Battery Tender to save all the electronic settings?
Or remove the battery and re-set everything in the spring?
What does the Corvette brain trust suggest?
Thanks in advance
Brian
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 11,048
Likes: 3,390
I don't have an indoor garage, just a spot in the backyard of my parents house where i'll be keeping the vette (like last winter). Only mistake i did was that i was starting it up once a week to keep the battery from dying. I know that did more harm than good so this year i'm just disconnecting the battery and just doing a good once a month warm up. I really don't like the idea of keeping a car outside completely unstarted for the entire winter.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,783
Likes: 400
From: Paoli, IN
St. Jude Donor '17, '19
Hello all
I plan on putting my car away for the winter.
In the past I just removed the battery on my car (Porsche 911 no electronics).
With a C6 would it be better to get a Battery Tender to save all the electronic settings?
Or remove the battery and re-set everything in the spring?
What does the Corvette brain trust suggest?
Thanks in advance
Brian
I plan on putting my car away for the winter.
In the past I just removed the battery on my car (Porsche 911 no electronics).
With a C6 would it be better to get a Battery Tender to save all the electronic settings?
Or remove the battery and re-set everything in the spring?
What does the Corvette brain trust suggest?
Thanks in advance
Brian
I don't have an indoor garage, just a spot in the backyard of my parents house where i'll be keeping the vette (like last winter). Only mistake i did was that i was starting it up once a week to keep the battery from dying. I know that did more harm than good so this year i'm just disconnecting the battery and just doing a good once a month warm up. I really don't like the idea of keeping a car outside completely unstarted for the entire winter.
Just change the oil before storage, fill the gas tank, get a good outdoor car cover, try to cover entry points so little rodents don't make homes in your car, and if the car will be in storage longer than 5 months I would put fuel stabilizer in the gas tank.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 108
Likes: 5
From: South Central PA
When I put mine away for the winter, I disconnect the negative terminal. When spring comes around, the only thing I have to do is reindex the windows. I do not lose any radio or seat settings at all.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 14,475
Likes: 787
From: Las Vegas NV
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 47
Likes: 11
Hello all
I plan on putting my car away for the winter.
In the past I just removed the battery on my car (Porsche 911 no electronics).
With a C6 would it be better to get a Battery Tender to save all the electronic settings?
Or remove the battery and re-set everything in the spring?
What does the Corvette brain trust suggest?
Thanks in advance
Brian
I plan on putting my car away for the winter.
In the past I just removed the battery on my car (Porsche 911 no electronics).
With a C6 would it be better to get a Battery Tender to save all the electronic settings?
Or remove the battery and re-set everything in the spring?
What does the Corvette brain trust suggest?
Thanks in advance
Brian
This way it's less taxing on the battery, your electrical bills etc etc.. specially for the long Canadian winters!!
On top of this, what I do is make sure that I use Shell premium as my last fill up, the only reason it is shell is because, it's the only brand with premium that guarantees it doesn't contain ethanol (at any percentage).
Also, if you plan on storing it more than 4 months, I will put some Stabil in it, make sure the fuel doesn't degrade.
Good luck, both of mine will be hibernating soon as well.
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Drifting
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,778
Likes: 309
From: Long Island, N.Y.
I use a battery tender also for about three or four years now. No problems.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,079
Likes: 98
From: York PA
I have one of the cheapest battery float chargers from Battery Tender. Hook up to the battery, it keeps it charged and goes into standby mode once the battery is charged so not to over charge. I have used mine for about 3 years now and have not needed to replace the battery. Here is an example.
Amazon.com: Battery Tender 021-0123 Battery Tender Junior 12V Battery Charger: Automotive
Your car will be fine without being started. Cold starting the car and not driving it doesn't really help anything. In fact, I think if I remember correctly, it was mentioned on here that it actually does more harm than good in the long run.
Just change the oil before storage, fill the gas tank, get a good outdoor car cover, try to cover entry points so little rodents don't make homes in your car, and if the car will be in storage longer than 5 months I would put fuel stabilizer in the gas tank.
Amazon.com: Battery Tender 021-0123 Battery Tender Junior 12V Battery Charger: Automotive
Your car will be fine without being started. Cold starting the car and not driving it doesn't really help anything. In fact, I think if I remember correctly, it was mentioned on here that it actually does more harm than good in the long run.
Just change the oil before storage, fill the gas tank, get a good outdoor car cover, try to cover entry points so little rodents don't make homes in your car, and if the car will be in storage longer than 5 months I would put fuel stabilizer in the gas tank.
I use the same battery tender....works fine!! I also take it out once a month for a "careful" run....careful meaning the tires on my GS don't like cold weather AND i only go out if there is no snow, cinders and other crap on the roads....but that plan seems to work for me!
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 35,256
Likes: 2,150
From: Right Corner Pocket of Illinois
No-IL Events Coordinator
2026 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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St. Jude Donor '12 thru '26
Fresh tank of gas and Ctek 3300 is all I have done for 8 years, that and sob a lot.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 11,973
Likes: 463
From: Tonawanda New York
My winter storage ritual. ....
Clean and wax car.
Do yearly oil change.
Fill tank and add bottle of Sta-Bil (storage) drive a few miles to circulate.
Pump up tires to 40lbs.
Connect battery tender.
Put cover on until Spring.
Clean and wax car.
Do yearly oil change.
Fill tank and add bottle of Sta-Bil (storage) drive a few miles to circulate.
Pump up tires to 40lbs.
Connect battery tender.
Put cover on until Spring.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 754
Likes: 79
From: Jacobstown, New Jersey
I store it but it is never stored to the point that I can't take it out on nice days. Full tank of gas with stabilizer, fresh oil change, battery charger on, tires up to about 34lb, washed, waxed and covered in the garage. When I have good days in the winter (clear skys, no snow, salt etc. on the roads) I take it out for long rides. When I gas up I add some stabilizer, wash it (if it needs it) and put it back in the garage the same way.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,435
Likes: 19
From: Sioux Falls South Dakota
With storing it outside, I'd be more worried about unwanted guests than anything else. Make sure you do something to prevent mice, rats, squirrels, cats, etc. from making your C6 a home for the winter.
Not sure if it would work outside but when I store my cars inside I put downy dryer sheets all around and under the car in the garage, as well as inside the car, engine bay and trunk area. You should at least put some inside the car, engine bay and trunk area. Outside I'd be tempted to plaster the ground with mouse traps / larger animal traps and check them frequently.
Nothing worse than electrical damage from a rodent.
Not sure if it would work outside but when I store my cars inside I put downy dryer sheets all around and under the car in the garage, as well as inside the car, engine bay and trunk area. You should at least put some inside the car, engine bay and trunk area. Outside I'd be tempted to plaster the ground with mouse traps / larger animal traps and check them frequently.
Nothing worse than electrical damage from a rodent.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 5,721
Likes: 548
From: SE Pa
I agree Don. As for the Shell premium gas not having ethanol, not true here in the States, regardless, I know of no better gas than Shell
