Winter storage
Pro
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 729
Likes: 97
From: Lancaster NY
I don't even disconnect the battery. Just use a battery tender, I also fill the gas tank and add Sta-Bil. No need to raise the car but I use some old carpet squares under the tires and fill them to 35 psi cold.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,393
Likes: 38
From: Connecticut
Just remember to check for mice weekly. I also back it out of the garage and get the engine up to operating temp in the driveway, if the snow cooperates.
Last edited by Grand Sport Jim; Dec 6, 2015 at 07:37 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 4,979
Likes: 743
From: PA
Not far from you close to Pittsburgh, so I know about the crappy winters.
Fill up the tank, add Stabil or Seafoam, add extra air in the tires, and if I were you, I'd put rubber mats or tire cradles under those tires to protect them from the cold cement. I have those interlocking foam rubber squares that they use for kids rooms under my tires. Hook it up to a battery tender. You don't need a big one. Plug it in, cover it up, and let it sit till spring. Don't start it up till you're ready to drive it again after winter. Otherwise you'll end up with moisture in your lines. Bounce sheets on the floor and in the motor and interior helps keep the mice away. Or you can put a couple traps around if you're concerned about that.
Fill up the tank, add Stabil or Seafoam, add extra air in the tires, and if I were you, I'd put rubber mats or tire cradles under those tires to protect them from the cold cement. I have those interlocking foam rubber squares that they use for kids rooms under my tires. Hook it up to a battery tender. You don't need a big one. Plug it in, cover it up, and let it sit till spring. Don't start it up till you're ready to drive it again after winter. Otherwise you'll end up with moisture in your lines. Bounce sheets on the floor and in the motor and interior helps keep the mice away. Or you can put a couple traps around if you're concerned about that.
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Race Director
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 11,048
Likes: 3,390
I really hate all you guys with garages!!!!! lol
I have a driveway (well i park the vette in my parents driveway) and i do use a car cover, i guess i have no choice but to disconnect the battery right??
This will be my second winter with the GS and last winter i started the car about once a week and let it idle about 20 minutes. I know that probably did more harm than good but i been doing that to all my cars going back to like '98 and never had an issue. I also change the oil religiously which might of helped.
Which brings me to another point. Lets say i filled the tank and added stabil to prepare for storage but by some miracle it doesn't snow for another month, can i still drive the car, even with stabil in it?? Say i put the car in storage today with stabil, but i get to drive the car next week.
I have a driveway (well i park the vette in my parents driveway) and i do use a car cover, i guess i have no choice but to disconnect the battery right??
This will be my second winter with the GS and last winter i started the car about once a week and let it idle about 20 minutes. I know that probably did more harm than good but i been doing that to all my cars going back to like '98 and never had an issue. I also change the oil religiously which might of helped.
Which brings me to another point. Lets say i filled the tank and added stabil to prepare for storage but by some miracle it doesn't snow for another month, can i still drive the car, even with stabil in it?? Say i put the car in storage today with stabil, but i get to drive the car next week.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 11,973
Likes: 463
From: Tonawanda New York
Of course you can drive the car with sta bil. Lol
No reason to jack up car.I just add 5lbs.
No reason to disconnect battery. Just hook up tender.
No reason to start car during storage.
No reason to jack up car.I just add 5lbs.
No reason to disconnect battery. Just hook up tender.
No reason to start car during storage.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,942
Likes: 1,328
From: Houston Tx
I wouldn't use Seafoam or other IPA-based stabilizers if your gas contains ethanol. An IPA-based stabilizer will not prevent water separation if the gas contains ethanol, and insurance against water separation is the main reason to use stabilizer.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 11,048
Likes: 3,390
And I do have a battery tender but car is stored outside. Can't really leave everything plugged it being exposed to all the elements outside.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 11,973
Likes: 463
From: Tonawanda New York
Lol I know that sounded like a dumb question but I figure it does something to the fuel with the purpose of a car sitting and NOT being driven for a while. Didn't want any funny stuff happening after I added it, then went for a drive a week or 2 later.
And I do have a battery tender but car is stored outside. Can't really leave everything plugged it being exposed to all the elements outside.
And I do have a battery tender but car is stored outside. Can't really leave everything plugged it being exposed to all the elements outside.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,558
Likes: 224
From: Manitowoc WI
As long as I can purchase fuel without ethanol in it I will not add StaBil to my gasoline engines (that includes lawn mowers, snow throwers, weed wackers, Corvettes, Harleys...) when storing for the winter. I put that crap in my '66 once and had more carburetor/engine issues than I ever did without it. I've owned my '66 for 47 years and StaBil was used ONCE...never again.
With all of my stored vehicles (there are presently six of them) they are parked in a heated garage (52 degrees for the winter) and I leave the battery connected and attach a battery tender ... things are good for the winter. I have stored vehicles for 50 years with no issues.
With all of my stored vehicles (there are presently six of them) they are parked in a heated garage (52 degrees for the winter) and I leave the battery connected and attach a battery tender ... things are good for the winter. I have stored vehicles for 50 years with no issues.
Last edited by Revette; Dec 10, 2015 at 07:54 PM.
