Winterization

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Oct 17, 2019 | 10:54 PM

#41

Zjoe6

Race Director

Joined: Aug 2015

Posts: 12,240

Likes: 4,738

From: SE WI

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dale124

This tire issue is really driving me nuts. I live in Alberta, where winters get CCCCCOLD! I do not have a heated garage, so, I am now worried about if my tires will survive the winter. I will not be driving it at all once it gets cold, and I thought that would be enough to not have tire damage. I have to wonder what all the dealerships do with their cars that have high performance tires on them. I can’t imagine that they have room to store them all.
I am sure that I am not alone in this situation, so, are any of you facing the same problem? Is this tire issue being over thought?
Dale

I read some post that said if you're not driving on them it should be ok. It's when you actually move the car that makes the tires crack when it's cold. You could always block the car up and take the tires inside. Not that difficult to do. Then you'd have shocks being pulled down by the unsupported weight. Is that even worse?

Oct 18, 2019 | 10:10 AM

#42

Patman

Race Director

Joined: May 2001

Posts: 15,323

Likes: 2,077

From: Guelph, Ontario

Quote:

Originally Posted by joemessman

Good advice. You'll be presented with a bill of around $4,000 to repair a fouled sending unit. Labor is a killer.

If that ever happened to me outside of warranty I wouldn't bother fixing it. I'd just fill up the tank every 200-300 miles to be sure I didn't run out of fuel without a working gauge.

Oct 21, 2019 | 08:52 AM

#43

DGA3

Melting Slicks

Joined: Dec 2017

Posts: 3,449

Likes: 1,988

From: Columbus Ohio

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gearhead Jim

The Owner Manual for our 2017, p. 266, recommends not driving the summer tires below 40'f, and says they can crack if stored below 20'f. Obviously, if they can crack from being stored at that temp then they shouldn't be driven at that temp. The 40' number is for tire grip, the 20' number is for tire cracking.

rick ferrel

Yes, but I don't spend my entire life on Corvette Forum.

I've taken mine out to run errands if the roads are dry, but the temps are below 40.

As long as you drive more conservatively, it seems like it's ok.

Oct 21, 2019 | 10:12 AM

#44

Patman

Race Director

Joined: May 2001

Posts: 15,323

Likes: 2,077

From: Guelph, Ontario

Quote:

Originally Posted by DGA3

I've taken mine out to run errands if the roads are dry, but the temps are below 40.

As long as you drive more conservatively, it seems like it's ok.

I've driven many times on dry roads in the winter when the outside temp is between 25 and 40, although I do start out with the tires warm from being in my garage, so that helps. I also usually only take it out when it's a sunny day too, so even if the ambient temp is cooler, the sun heats up the road a tiny bit. I've never had an issue with traction under these conditions (and I've tried a few panic stops to test it out too)

Oct 21, 2019 | 11:10 AM

#45

GQMGT

Burning Brakes

Joined: Dec 2003

Posts: 775

Likes: 119

From: Plattsburgh NY

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boxcar

K, agreed that everyone has an opinion. I live in Up...Way... Upstate NY. My 2 cents
1. Inflate tires to 36 PSI and drive the car onto foam matting to sperate tire from concrete.
2. On my C3,4,6 I was filling the tank, however, after reading further then just CF I believe 1/4 with non-ethanol 91-93 is good. The first thing I do in spring is add and injector cleaner, fill it up and I'm off.
3. Oil change every April-May regardless along with annual safety inspection and wheel alignment.
4. Battery maintainer on, no disconnection of battery, never had an issue even with C6. I hooked directly to the battery posts. Note: long term disconnection leads to loss of driving data on the onboard computer. Am I wrong?
5. Last thing is to crack...very little crack of my favorite air freshener and close it up.

During the winter months when a warm spell hits, I will fire it up bring everything to operating temperatures A/C, heating, oil and coolant. Run the heating to warm and dry out the interior.
Again, my 2 cents, and that time is coming soon.

Cheers Boxcar

Need to update my Avatar...things to do this winter.

I'm way way Upstate NY (Plattsburgh).

I've always basically what you stated and have never had any issues........

Oct 21, 2019 | 11:39 AM

#46

Widgeon5

Pro

Joined: Nov 2015

Posts: 582

Likes: 170

From: Indiana

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreamMachine7

Summit Racing's Top 10 Tips for storing your vehicle for the winter: https://youtu.be/PDyGoeYgRcE

You left out the most important one, which is put the vehicle away hot. Get it fully up to operating temperature, then drive another 15-20 minutes. This is to boil out the water and combustion by-products which combine to form acids that condense on cold engine and exhaust parts. Anecdote: I had an old Aston Martin that I seldom drove. At one point I had a cheapo mild steel exhaust system installed (the kind we all had in the 60's which rusted out every 3 years.) By observing this precaution the system was still good 18 years later when I sold the car.

If you choose to do an oil change, do it prior to this final run. You want the fresh oil distributed throughout the engine, not just sitting in the pan or dry sump tank.

Oct 21, 2019 | 03:14 PM

#47

Mayor111

Melting Slicks

Joined: Oct 2016

Posts: 3,340

Likes: 2,084

From: Lehigh Valley PA

I know this is overkill, but this what I do for my show cars:

Oil change
Full tank of gas
Wash, polish, wax
Cover all rubber / weather stripping with a protectant (I use Meguiars Protectant)
Use a leather conditioner / lotion on leather areas
Inflate tires +5 PSI
Drive car up onto rubber mats (all 4 tires) (old floor mats work too)
Drop windows an inch
Battery on tender
Indoor satin cover goes on
Then I cry until April

Oct 22, 2019 | 09:05 AM

#48

DGA3

Melting Slicks

Joined: Dec 2017

Posts: 3,449

Likes: 1,988

From: Columbus Ohio

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mayor111

I know this is overkill, but this what I do for my show cars:

Oil change
Full tank of gas
Wash, polish, wax
Cover all rubber / weather stripping with a protectant (I use Meguiars Protectant)
Use a leather conditioner / lotion on leather areas
Inflate tires +5 PSI
Drive car up onto rubber mats (all 4 tires) (old floor mats work too)
Drop windows an inch
Battery on tender
Indoor satin cover goes on
Then I cry until April