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I recently purchased a C6 and trying to plan for winter storage in my garage. What steps are needed? Such as :
Should I change oil? Only 1k miles on current oil.
Do I put it up on jack stands to prevent flat spots on run flats?
If yes, where do I locate the stands under car?
I have 2 roofs. Do I store it with glass or solid roof installed. Does it make a difference?
Since the garage is located inside my house, it will be protected to 40 degrees on those extremely cold nights.
I will get a cover for it.
Am I missing anything?
With only 1k on the oil, (assuming it was a fairy recent oil change) I would not change it.
Jack stands are not needed. Some folks bump the pressure up to 40psi.
Top would not matter.
You do need to put some sort of battery maintainer on it.
rugs under tires and rubber matts to prevent flat spots. Windows up with a quality maintainer from napa . SEAL EVERY OPENING IN GARAGE TO PREVENT MICE FROM COMING IN. KEEP MOISTURE OUT MAINTAIN EVEN TEMPERTURE .
1) Fill gas tank
2) Add Stabil to gas
3) Put a few more PSI in tires (while modern tires don't flat spot, they do lose air in the cold)
4) Add dryer sheets to the inside of the car, engine compartment, and around the tires (keeps the critters away)
5) Wash the car (and wax if possible)
6) Cover exhaust tips with plastic bags secured by rubber bands to keep the critters out
7) Add silica packets to the interior to keep things dry
8) Car cover
9) Battery tender (#9 but the MOST important)
Hope and pray for a short winter. The end.
Last edited by Must_Have_Z; 09-19-2017 at 09:29 AM.
Add Stabil 360 to gas tank and top off with gas. (- Stabil 360 is good for 12 months and I only store for 4 months. Regular Stabil is good for 24 months)
Wash and vacuum interior (- I claybar, polish and wax when I take it out of storage in the spring)
Change oil (- Once a year right before it's stored for winter)
Battery tender (- Any time it's parked for a week or more)
From living most of my life in the north and having many convertibles and Harleys, l don't understand the idea of "storing" a Vette. I knew few people in a large Harley Owners Group that even "stored" their bike. A boat or camping trailer, I can see, but a car is meant to be driven and has a heater. What is better than taking your Vette out for a drive on a crisp, cold, DRY day in February when you have cabin fever. Rode my Harley often as long as there was no snow or salt on the roads.
A battery maintainer is a good idea for infrequent use and Stabil or similar. Otherwise, live a little, drive that thing. It's made to take a beating.
... a car is meant to be driven and has a heater. What is better than taking your Vette out for a drive on a crisp, cold, DRY day in February when you have cabin fever. Rode my Harley often as long as there was no snow or salt on the roads...
I do the same. As long as there is no salt on the roads. I even put the top down on 45-50 degree days.
However, where I live in the mountains, they like to drop salt mixed with sand on the roads at the slightest hint that there may be ice.
So between the beginning of January and the end of March, there are few days where I'm comfortable that there is no salty sand on the roads.
My plan for the winter was to just top off gas.. no need for stabil since I would be starting it and letting it run once a week. Add just a little air to tires.. and plug up the exhaust to keep anything out.
I recently purchased a C6 and trying to plan for winter storage in my garage. What steps are needed? Such as :
Should I change oil? Only 1k miles on current oil.
Do I put it up on jack stands to prevent flat spots on run flats?
If yes, where do I locate the stands under car?
I have 2 roofs. Do I store it with glass or solid roof installed. Does it make a difference?
Since the garage is located inside my house, it will be protected to 40 degrees on those extremely cold nights.
I will get a cover for it.
Am I missing anything?
Lots of good advice comments on here. I just did this last weekend and mine is now officially off the road until next April. I did an oil change and made sure my coolant was in good condition since mine will be exposed to ambient temperatures in covered, sheltered but outdoor storage.
I have a very good outdoor lined car cover that can breathe and intend to put a couple of Dry-Z-Air containers used for RV storage in the car before I cover it up to deal with moisture and prevent mildew. I'll also hook up a battery tender.
Since you recently acquired your car, if you are not sure how old your coolant is I would consider changing it since the Dexcool that GM uses has a 5 year service life and can become corrosive if run too long past its service life.
If you do decide to replace the coolant you can either get Dexcool in premix or straight and mix it yourself 50/50 with distilled water.
That comment put a smile on my face since our Corvette was officially acquired by my wife late last year and she insisted on taking it for a celebratory 3 hour cruise in mid November with the top down. I was riding in the passenger seat thinking WTF I thought owning a Corvette was supposed to be a fun and pleasant experience!
09-19-2017, 06:59 AM
Winter storage
