Winter Storage Checklist
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 117
Likes: 25
From: Westborough MA
Winter Storage Checklist
Bought my vette new in April 2016. Plan to drive until the weather really turns. I've read a few threads about winter storage, with advice that is all over the place. My plan is to:
1) complete detail... wash, clay, machine polish and wax the exterior. Clean the inside thoroughly.
2) put baking soda in the car to grab any odors that might occur.
3) park in my garage with a fitted, good quality car cover.
4) add a fuel stabilzer
5) i'll probably get an oil change before, it is close to due anyway
6) inflate tires to 35-40psi
Any other suggestions? I'm hoping to run it as deep into the year as possible... at least until it's consistently cold, or when the snow flies.
1) complete detail... wash, clay, machine polish and wax the exterior. Clean the inside thoroughly.
2) put baking soda in the car to grab any odors that might occur.
3) park in my garage with a fitted, good quality car cover.
4) add a fuel stabilzer
5) i'll probably get an oil change before, it is close to due anyway
6) inflate tires to 35-40psi
Any other suggestions? I'm hoping to run it as deep into the year as possible... at least until it's consistently cold, or when the snow flies.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 117
Likes: 25
From: Westborough MA
I've considered it, but I have a nice AWD car for the winter and I'd rather just keep it off the road once it gets nasty. I'm in Massachusetts, and once it snows, the roads get so crappy with salt/sand, etc., that I'd rather just keep the vette in the garage.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 25,583
Likes: 16,942
It's the same here, and we also have a Jeep, a 4 X 4 truck, and a Mercedes 4MATIC, but salt is not an issue on a non-metal car w/ an aluminum frame. XPEL Ultimate will take care of the sand issue.
There are plenty of nice, sunny, winter days with daytime temps above freezing. I'll keep enjoying the C7 on those days.
There are plenty of nice, sunny, winter days with daytime temps above freezing. I'll keep enjoying the C7 on those days.
Last edited by Foosh; Sep 6, 2016 at 01:33 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 93
Likes: 1
From: Alexandria, VA, USA
It's the same here, and we also have a Jeep, a 4 X 4 truck, and a Mercedes 4MATIC, but salt is not an issue on a non-metal car w/ an aluminum frame. XPEL Ultimate will take care of the sand issue.
There are plenty of nice, sunny, winter days with daytime temps above freezing. I'll keep enjoying the C7 on those days.
There are plenty of nice, sunny, winter days with daytime temps above freezing. I'll keep enjoying the C7 on those days.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 12,245
Likes: 4,740
From: SE WI
I bought a thick plastic tarp at Home Depot to put on the garage floor. Keeps the humidity off the bottom of the car. I actually tuck it into the bottom of my cover to give it a full wrap.
I also use a Battery tender.
I also use a Battery tender.
Race Director
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 10,742
Likes: 629
From: Manheim Pennsylvania
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 45,265
Likes: 8,542
From: Rochester, NY
Bought my vette new in April 2016. Plan to drive until the weather really turns. I've read a few threads about winter storage, with advice that is all over the place. My plan is to:
1) complete detail... wash, clay, machine polish and wax the exterior. Clean the inside thoroughly.
2) put baking soda in the car to grab any odors that might occur.
3) park in my garage with a fitted, good quality car cover.
4) add a fuel stabilzer
5) i'll probably get an oil change before, it is close to due anyway
6) inflate tires to 35-40psi
Any other suggestions? I'm hoping to run it as deep into the year as possible... at least until it's consistently cold, or when the snow flies.
1) complete detail... wash, clay, machine polish and wax the exterior. Clean the inside thoroughly.
2) put baking soda in the car to grab any odors that might occur.
3) park in my garage with a fitted, good quality car cover.
4) add a fuel stabilzer
5) i'll probably get an oil change before, it is close to due anyway
6) inflate tires to 35-40psi
Any other suggestions? I'm hoping to run it as deep into the year as possible... at least until it's consistently cold, or when the snow flies.
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Instructor
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 210
Likes: 42
From: Avon Ohio
I wont be driving mine during the winter either. I would either take the battery out and keep it on a charger or put a trickle charger on it inside the car (depending on storage spot). I'm not sure on the oil change before winter but definitely at the beginning of the season for sure. I do the same thing with my boat. Clean, wrap put away then we do the spring "start up" once the weather breaks which includes Clean again, oil change and in wrap. I hate Ohio winters !! Ugh
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 15,049
Likes: 1,613
From: Holly Springs NC
St. Jude Donor '16-'17,'22,'24
Gang, Don't forget something to discourage little critters like mice from setting up housekeeping in your stored Corvette.
I know it's an old story, but my friend in New Hampshire lost her Porsche Boxter when mice ate enough of the wiring harnesses to cause her insurance to call it a total loss. It can happen.
I know it's an old story, but my friend in New Hampshire lost her Porsche Boxter when mice ate enough of the wiring harnesses to cause her insurance to call it a total loss. It can happen.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 25,583
Likes: 16,942
Yes, cars that don't run much sometimes suffer far more damage than those that routinely stay on the road. Rodents eat, seals dry-rot, internal parts don't stay lubricated, and so on.
When some see a used car from 3-10 years old averaging less than 1000 miles a year, they often think that's great. I would walk away.
When some see a used car from 3-10 years old averaging less than 1000 miles a year, they often think that's great. I would walk away.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 109
Likes: 6
I wont be driving mine during the winter either. I would either take the battery out and keep it on a charger or put a trickle charger on it inside the car (depending on storage spot). I'm not sure on the oil change before winter but definitely at the beginning of the season for sure. I do the same thing with my boat. Clean, wrap put away then we do the spring "start up" once the weather breaks which includes Clean again, oil change and in wrap. I hate Ohio winters !! Ugh
North Jersey
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 25,583
Likes: 16,942
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,002
Likes: 2,679
Mine goes away in October and comes out in March. The salt isn't my primary concern it's cold temps on the tires.
I wash, wax, clean the entire car. I then fill the tires to 35 psi to account for the 1 psi a month loss (I have flat stoppers to keep the wheels round). I change oil in spring. I use a battery tender, and I cover the car. Rodents I keep out of my garage and so I worry less about those, but if you live in an area with rodents, set traps. I use desiccant bags in the interior to suck up moisture. That's about it.
I usually only have mine away 5 months if I can help it. 6 is considered a long Winter.
I wash, wax, clean the entire car. I then fill the tires to 35 psi to account for the 1 psi a month loss (I have flat stoppers to keep the wheels round). I change oil in spring. I use a battery tender, and I cover the car. Rodents I keep out of my garage and so I worry less about those, but if you live in an area with rodents, set traps. I use desiccant bags in the interior to suck up moisture. That's about it.
I usually only have mine away 5 months if I can help it. 6 is considered a long Winter.
Last edited by user051728; Sep 6, 2016 at 05:50 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,002
Likes: 2,679
Originally Posted by Foosh
Yes, cars that don't run much sometimes suffer far more damage than those that routinely stay on the road. Rodents eat, seals dry-rot, internal parts don't stay lubricated, and so on.
When some see a used car from 3-10 years old averaging less than 1000 miles a year, they often think that's great. I would walk away.
When some see a used car from 3-10 years old averaging less than 1000 miles a year, they often think that's great. I would walk away.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 641
Likes: 126
From: Chandler Az
Once its off for the season... its off!!!!!
But here in AZ my season is just starting... gotta dust off the cars and get them out!