This has probably been asked before but since I am a new vette owner, I would like to know about adding additives to the gas for winter storage. I do know the fuel system is closed and it does have a evaporator to eliminate moisture. I also know there are two tanks, so if I do add something to help the gas from going stale over the winter months, or damage from the ethanol, will it only go into the tank that I am adding to, or will it also migrate to the second tank?
Should I even not worry about adding a additives? The tank is 3/4 full, that’s the way I received the car. The vette is kept in a un-heated garage.
So what does everyone think?
New Vette Man

 

The only fuel additive I've ever used is Techron with every other oil change. As long as you're using a top grade fuel, I don't believe any additive is necessary for winter storage....assuming your Vette is garaged (even unheated). I do make it a habit to run the engine each month or so over the winter months....just to get up to operating temp. Also always have a battery tender hooked up.

 

Not necessary, unless your storing the car for longer than 6 months, gas doesn't go stale in that time. But it's wise to run the tack as low as reasonable, and then in the spring, fuel up with top tier hi octane fuel and you'll be fine. The modern corvette fuel system is closed, so there's very little air in there, so there's nothing to go stale fuel wise. I never add anything, and only on older cars some with leaded fuel, fuel did go bad relatively quick, but that is no longer the case.

 

Most people add Sta-bil to a 3/4 tank of fuel for winter storage. Also you don't know how old the fuel is when you bought it. Take it for a run for a few minutes to mix after adding Sta-bil. Cheap insurance so why not.

 

If your adding a fuel stabilizer its best to add when gas level is low, i would think around 1/4 of a tank. Adding the fuel additive at that point will mix better with the added new fuel, its been said after nine gallons the rest of the fuel flows into the second tank. What i do is add 93 octane 100% pure gas during storage.

 

I've stored for winter hibernation, both in an unheated area for a few years, then in a somewhat heated garage when needed to work on the car. Since 2009, I've added StaBil to less than 1/2 tank, filling it up, and running it for 10 minutes back home prior to putting the car up for the winter. I put in on a battery tender, pump up the tires to 40psi, Bounce sheets inside the car, and engine compartment, then there it sits from Dec-April of each year. It never get started during that period. I now have 110,000+ miles on my C6. That's the recipe I use each year.

 

I just fill the tank full with non-ethanol gas (which it al I burn anyway) and do nothing else till spring when I add a can of Seafoam to it with the first tank of gas. Always done this to all my vehicles that get parked in the winter (boat, ATV's, Firebird, Vette etc.) and have never had any issues doing so.

 

I know I shouldn't say this outloud because we all know what will happen.........
Full tank of 93 with a container of Sta-Bil, many packets of moth ***** surrounding the car, battery tender in detached unheated garage with carpet on the floor.
Also go out several times over winter to fire her up & let run for about 15min.
Usually do that on a dry day to pull out of garage & take down the drive just to move tires as to not worry about flat spots.
So far so good no issues & no critters........

 

I basically do the same but with the addition of a large bottle of Techron and then running it till it all gets to the injectors then shut it down. One question, what does the bounce do?

 

Keeps it smelling nice & supposed to deter critters.

 

Was from Michigan. Never used Stabil. Always hooked up my Battery Tender Jr. parked it in November. Put the cover on. Didn’t touch it until April 1. Never had a problem. Did that for the last 30 years.
in SC now, so no more storage.

 

Use Sta-bil.... and here is why... you really don't need it for six months of storage... but... when you put your car into winter storage you really don't know what life will bring in six months. I've had to deal with numerous cars and motorcycles that went into storage for what was to be several months and than something unforseen happens like a death in the family, health issues, job issues and the vehicle ends up sitting in storage for an extended period of time.... eventually someone, perhaps yourself, will pull the vehicle out of storage and that's when they will be thrilled Sta-Bil was added. It's really just cheap insurance for the future and it certainly doesn't hurt anything if it's added. YMMV

 

Agree totally. Basically what I said in post #4 with more elaborate explanation. Stabil is inexpensive and easy to use. Don't cut corners on a nice car.

 

Using ethanol best add some Sta-bil as suggested.
Use the stuff on my outdoor equipment since gear can sit for extended periods of time.

However where I live I've easy access to pure gas, isn't necessary for a 3-4 month break..
Never had any issues w/ stale or gunked-up fuel.

In fact run pure gas in my 2 cycle equipment, trimers, blower etc.
Never had deteriorating seal problems as I experienced, before.

 

You'll probably be fine if just storing for a few months on a trickle charger. However, I store with 1/4 tank of ethanol free gas so as not to have the weight of a full tank on the suspension. If you only have 89 or 90 pure gas in your area, you can always mix a gallon of 100 octane race fuel to get a higher octane for storage purposes. Then fill it with pump gas in the spring. Whatever works good for you.

 

Do you really think your suspension is going to notice an extra 75 pounds? Which averages out to less than 20 pounds per wheel?

LMAO

As a professional engineer I can assure you that you're wasting your time with that train of thought.... and if you're still buying into that theory then it only makes sense to put the car on jack stands for the winter.

YMMV

 

Hopefully I can get a clear statement on how much fuel to leave in the tank for the winter. Yes, battery tender for sure. Thanks !

 

Anecdotal, using my C5 & C6s as examples.
Used to be concerned w/ condensation during storage, a valid concern.
Members reminded C5/6 tanks are not steel, not subject to condensation as in the past.

As such leave mine half full for storage.
Soon as Spring arrives, fill w/ fresh fuel.
Never had an issue w/ an '03 AE, '06 or '08 Z06.

 

Take it to the gas station, add Stabil 360, fill it up, then drive it for a half hour to get everything up to full operating temperature. Stabil 360 supposedly adds a protective vapor "blanket" to the air space at the top of the tanks. It may not be necessary, but it doesn't cost a lot and may help. Regarding gas tank fill level, my research says full tank lessens the chance of sulfur buildup on fuel level sensor that commonly leads to tank level only showing half full.