[ZR1] winter storage - start car or no?
11-28-2014, 09:11 AM
#22
11-28-2014, 10:20 AM
#23
Tech Contributor
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Have never seen anything from GM about starting once per month.
It has been well known for decades that starting a car and letting it idle for an extended time isn't good for the engine or the exhaust system. Idling does nothing to keep the drivetrain lubricated either. Winterize the vehicle and let it sit or drive it.
As Gordon Killebrew at the now defunct factory Corvette Action Center told me in the late 80s; The only way to store them is to drive them. No car is designed or built to be stored.
From that time on I never bothered storing my car in the winter. I always found a day at least once per month where I could take it out for a 30 to 40 mile drive.
It is also a violation of a lot of state regulations to let your car sit and idle for over 5 minutes due to smog regulations.
Bill
11-28-2014, 10:57 AM
#24
Le Mans Master
I have been storing classic and modern cars over the winter months here in Iowa for over 20 years.
Currently I have the following in winter storage:
2011 Grand Sport Conv.
1965 Corvette Conv
1967 Camaro Conv
2010 Mustang Conv.
They are all treated the same. Fresh oil change. Full tank of non-ethanol premium fuel. Long drive to bring oil temp to 210f then put into garage and onto a Battery Tender. Not started until spring.
First start in the spring I check the oil level, disable spark on the old cars by pulling the coil wire and turn the car over until I see the oil pressure guage start to come up. Then reattach coil and fire her up. On the newer cars I check the oil, and fire her up.
Never had any issues doing it this way in 20 years.
Currently I have the following in winter storage:
2011 Grand Sport Conv.
1965 Corvette Conv
1967 Camaro Conv
2010 Mustang Conv.
They are all treated the same. Fresh oil change. Full tank of non-ethanol premium fuel. Long drive to bring oil temp to 210f then put into garage and onto a Battery Tender. Not started until spring.
First start in the spring I check the oil level, disable spark on the old cars by pulling the coil wire and turn the car over until I see the oil pressure guage start to come up. Then reattach coil and fire her up. On the newer cars I check the oil, and fire her up.
Never had any issues doing it this way in 20 years.
11-28-2014, 11:00 AM
#26
Le Mans Master
No never ever ever. Lucas oil treatment and others actually thickens your oil and makes it more difficult to pump when cold. You may actually do MORE damage to your engine on at first start after sitting a few months adding magic potions to your oil.
11-28-2014, 11:04 AM
#27
Le Mans Master
No stabilizers needed if only for a few months and a full tank. I do run 1 oz per gallon of Seafoam in my old cars every tank of fuel to keep things clean and Seafoam does contain fuel stabilizer. But that's not why I use it.
11-28-2014, 11:22 PM
#29
Le Mans Master
What's this winter everyone is talking about? Oh it's that white stuff falling out of sky. November 28th in San Diego California it was over 80 degrees! You gotta love "winter" in Southern California! Sorry guys I had to do it 
11-29-2014, 02:05 PM
#30
Burning Brakes
) with C&C lately, I really haven't wanted to deal with that either...lol
12-03-2014, 11:20 PM
#31
Pro
Member Since: Oct 2010
Location: Vancouver British Columbia
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Have never seen anything from GM about starting once per month.
It has been well known for decades that starting a car and letting it idle for an extended time isn't good for the engine or the exhaust system. Idling does nothing to keep the drivetrain lubricated either. Winterize the vehicle and let it sit or drive it.
As Gordon Killebrew at the now defunct factory Corvette Action Center told me in the late 80s; The only way to store them is to drive them. No car is designed or built to be stored.
From that time on I never bothered storing my car in the winter. I always found a day at least once per month where I could take it out for a 30 to 40 mile drive.
It is also a violation of a lot of state regulations to let your car sit and idle for over 5 minutes due to smog regulations.
Bill
It has been well known for decades that starting a car and letting it idle for an extended time isn't good for the engine or the exhaust system. Idling does nothing to keep the drivetrain lubricated either. Winterize the vehicle and let it sit or drive it.
As Gordon Killebrew at the now defunct factory Corvette Action Center told me in the late 80s; The only way to store them is to drive them. No car is designed or built to be stored.
From that time on I never bothered storing my car in the winter. I always found a day at least once per month where I could take it out for a 30 to 40 mile drive.
It is also a violation of a lot of state regulations to let your car sit and idle for over 5 minutes due to smog regulations.
Bill
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/.../storage4.html
Last edited by tak06; 12-04-2014 at 02:02 PM.
01-11-2015, 03:10 PM
#32
Safety Car
(on page 4 of 4)David Scott at GM. "It is always best to start your vehicle once a month if possible." - See more at: http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/....fpDlW8CM.dpuf
07-12-2016, 11:04 PM
#35
1st Gear
Here is a general checklist of items you need to look into. It is also best to read the manufacturer’s manual that came with your RV, car, boat or trailer for specific storage instructions. http://midlandboatrvstorage.com/prep...sonal-storage/
