Storing Vette
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 48
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Storing Vette
Unfortunately winter is fast approaching so I have to start thinking about putting the Corvette in storage. Question I have is the oil life monitor says I have 65% left. Should I store car with partially used oil or store it with fresh oil change? Thinking about the contaminants from used oil left in engine and it’s affects.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20,352
Likes: 568
From: Ventura County, Calif
You'll get opinions on both sides but I think a majority recommend storing a car with fresh oil. As you say, letting it sit with contaminants in the oil isn't good. Of course those who don't store with fresh oil will say they've never had a problem which is probably true but why do it? You would still be advised to change the oil when you bring it out of storage anyway. If the cost of an oil change doesn't bother you, do it before storage. Also, understand the OLM will continue to count down while the car is sitting in storage. So if you change before storage, just reset the OLM when you start driving again. Have fun, I'm sure whatever you do will be fine in the long run. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 3,340
Likes: 2,084
From: Lehigh Valley PA
Storage TO DO List:
- Mobil 1 Oil Change
- Wash and wax
- Leather seats conditioned
- Weather stripping lubricated
- Battery on tender
- Inflate Tires to 35 lbs
- Leave E-Brake OFF
- Place cushions under tires (added protection to help avoid flat spots)
- Under the Car Cover and a kiss good-night
- Then cry till April
Racer
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 316
Likes: 120
From: Olathe Kansas
I understand the oil life monitor is more sophisticated than just reading mileage...it looks at load, RPM, temperature, mileage, etc...basically all the metrics the engine collects that may contribute to oil life, it uses. BUT, I would be surprised if it used TIME as a measurement. If you put new oil in your car, and stored it for 6 months, is the oil life really going to be diminished, compared to, say, oil that sat on WalMart's shelf for 6 months?
Racer
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 316
Likes: 120
From: Olathe Kansas
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2017
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From: Virginia
Unfortunately winter is fast approaching so I have to start thinking about putting the Corvette in storage. Question I have is the oil life monitor says I have 65% left. Should I store car with partially used oil or store it with fresh oil change? Thinking about the contaminants from used oil left in engine and it’s affects.
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Safety Car
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From: Southeast, WI
I understand the oil life monitor is more sophisticated than just reading mileage...it looks at load, RPM, temperature, mileage, etc...basically all the metrics the engine collects that may contribute to oil life, it uses. BUT, I would be surprised if it used TIME as a measurement. If you put new oil in your car, and stored it for 6 months, is the oil life really going to be diminished, compared to, say, oil that sat on WalMart's shelf for 6 months?
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St. Jude Donor '12 thru '17
I understand the oil life monitor is more sophisticated than just reading mileage...it looks at load, RPM, temperature, mileage, etc...basically all the metrics the engine collects that may contribute to oil life, it uses. BUT, I would be surprised if it used TIME as a measurement. If you put new oil in your car, and stored it for 6 months, is the oil life really going to be diminished, compared to, say, oil that sat on WalMart's shelf for 6 months?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,746
Likes: 916
You can change it before or after, but I put mine in storage with partially used oil that still has some life to it. When spring gets here, the first thing I do is change the oil. As mentioned earlier, the monitor does take time into consideration so the whole time the new oil is sitting there over winter, it is aging as far as the oil life monitor is concerned. In my mind, I'd rather have the partially used oil continue to age during that time period so that I can get the most life out of my spring oil change. Either way you do it, you're not going to hurt the engine.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 1,205
Likes: 490
This may be a stupid question but is there any value to starting it a few days per week or even a quick ride if the roads are not filthy vs a battery tender? I bought the GM battery tender w the car and am fully intending to use it but the thought crossed my mind.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 316
Likes: 120
From: Olathe Kansas
If this is true, this is ridiculous. How about dealer-purchased cars that sit on their lot for 6 months? Are they giving you fresh oil when you purchase a new car that sat that long? I find this hard to believe, that it measures dormant time as part of the oil life. What is the rationale for reducing the useful life of oil when the car isn't even running?
Last edited by gbranham; Sep 26, 2018 at 10:14 PM.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 410
Likes: 118
From: Oakville Ontario
When I put my car away, I don't touch it until I am close to ready to drive it on a regular basis and being in Canada, the temptation factor to take it out is probably lower. Cars are not meant to be stored, they are meant to be driven, so if you can drive it year round, do so. That said, if you are in a cold climate and you take out the car for a 'quick ride', that may do more harm than good as you may not give the engine and oil time to reach optimum temperature. If you do take it out, you probably want to run it for a good solid 1/2 hr to 45 min so that any water vapour in your oil and exhaust system is fully burned off and all your fluids are up to temperature. If you can get some highway time into your ride, you should be fine.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2016
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From: MOUNTAIN HOME Arkansas
If this is true, this is ridiculous. How about dealer-purchased cars that sit on their lot for 6 months? Are they giving you fresh oil when you purchase a new car that sat that long? I find this hard to believe, that it measures dormant time as part of the oil life. What is the rationale for reducing the useful life of oil when the car isn't even running?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 1,205
Likes: 490
When I put my car away, I don't touch it until I am close to ready to drive it on a regular basis and being in Canada, the temptation factor to take it out is probably lower. Cars are not meant to be stored, they are meant to be driven, so if you can drive it year round, do so. That said, if you are in a cold climate and you take out the car for a 'quick ride', that may do more harm than good as you may not give the engine and oil time to reach optimum temperature. If you do take it out, you probably want to run it for a good solid 1/2 hr to 45 min so that any water vapour in your oil and exhaust system is fully burned off and all your fluids are up to temperature. If you can get some highway time into your ride, you should be fine.
Team Owner
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If this is true, this is ridiculous. How about dealer-purchased cars that sit on their lot for 6 months? Are they giving you fresh oil when you purchase a new car that sat that long? I find this hard to believe, that it measures dormant time as part of the oil life. What is the rationale for reducing the useful life of oil when the car isn't even running?
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