So, I read a lot of different thoughts on storing your Corvette and put some of the here. Do this and you'll be race ready come spring time. I own this - this is my steps, because I anticipate and appreciate other view points.
The obvious is begin with a clean platform.

1. If you have two top place the second top in its storage spot of the car. Keep it clean, protected and out of the way.
2. Check engine oil life greater than 25% keep it, after short spring time run change it and ready for the summer. Less than 25% get an oil change.
3. Flat spots are not an issue with new radial tires, but if you must place old carpet square or floor mats (home improvement stores sell lots of great stuff).
Edit, and agree with I do pump up the tires to 40 psi. - thanks for the input.
4. Fill tank 1/4 full of the best octane gas you can, use stabilizer if storing more that 4 months. Be sure to drive around a bit and slop it around to get a good mix and into the fuel system. Edit this item 4 because there are good arguments/points. See posts #16 & 18 below and thanks for the input.
5. Buy injector cleaner for your spring time fill up.
6. Run your car turn the A/C on to circulate and lube, then run the heater on hi to circulate the heater core and lube.
7. Quick wipe of the interior with leather conditioner, hang a fresh car freshener.
8. Plug in your battery life support and run the corner of the hatch. Placing a thin micro towel there, hanging down the finder and close the hatch. Been doing for years its fine.
9. Place your car cover over it and say "Good Night".
10 Late December early January - I like to fire it up, bring to temperature and circulate the fluids to prevent settling.

So, here it is mid October and so it begins.
Cheers everybody.

 

Change oil
Full tank of gas
Tire psi set to 40
Wash / dry inside and out
Plug in battery maintainer
Cover

Works for me.

 

Battery tender and call it a day.

I use to go through the whole hibernation regimen, but it’s now antiquated. Winters are getting warmer and shorter; at least in the Northeast. It was 55 degrees this past Christmas. I was more worried about Santa ripping off my shingles...

 

Put AS 3+ tires on when I purchased my GS. Plan on taking it out when I can. No longer strapped to the 40 degree tires.

 

Pump up tires psi to 35 psi.
Plug in tender
That is it, been doing this way with 3 Vettes since 2008 no issues.

 

How long does it take at idle to get the oil up to 180-ish in the dead of winter? Seems you'd be better off just not touching the car until spring.

 

Yes, you are better off leaving it alone.

Leaving the car sit for the winter is not storage, it is merely extended parking.

There is no reason for all sorts of extra rituals unless you happen to enjoy them, which many here do.

 

Leather conditioner is not required. The leather in these cars comes "sealed" from the factory. A conditioner will not cut through this coating to get to the actual leather. All you need is a slightly damp microfiber cloth and a wipe down. Do not use cleaning products on the leather, waste of money.

 

Say no to the hanging car fresheners unless you are smoking in the car which is also a no go for me 🤣. I don't see anything wrong with the other items though.

 

Wash it, plug in the tender, and a cover.

Keep your garage door closed at all times. Mice love stored vehicles.

 

Great to see and hear other's thoughts, I know there are personal preferences out there, and some make since and are enlightening.
1. I did not know about the "sealed" leather, nice to know and save me some money.
2. I've read different things on full tank over 3/4 full. I read (does not make factual) that having a full tank can cause problems with the fuel pump or sensor in the tank. Food for thought.
3. Car fresher to clarify for older cars or yes smokers of which I am not. When I do it I just crack it open. Have not done it with my C7, still new. But, as time goes by it helps.
4. To start or not to start, I do it for the circulation and and lubrication. I let it run for 10-15 minutes. Personal preference no science behind it.

Have a great day and keep the painted side up.

 

Starting a cold car in storage accomplishes nothing and only causes additional unnecessary wear. There is no upside. Leave the car alone until you are ready to again drive it.

 

Agree, it also introduces moisture into the engine that doesn't get boiled out of the oil. In fact, I prefer to not use my corvette for short trip errands. I want it to get up to full temp and drive for at least a half hour if not longer. But that's just me.

 

I am starting to believe to set the car up for winter THEN leave it alone ! In the past i would start the car every month during winter. I found out in these cold Wisconsin winters the coolant temperature stays way too cold for so long causing a richer then normal gas mixture. The end result is engine oil that is loaded with gas. NOT GOOD!!!! Just best to prep the car and leave it alone. mike pilarski

 

Better to never start it in storage unless you can take it out to drive it to operating temp. Would just cause moisture condensation issues just starting it and stopping without getting it to temp. Always overinflate tires and use flat stoppers.

 

You are correct on the fuel tank Fill it to one quarter. When you store your C7 Corvette with a full tank of fuel the sending unit sensor card contact point on the float would actually be submerged in fuel. That’s not an issue with normal driving because the sending unit float moving up and down helps keep the contacts clean. However, should it remain submerged over long storage periods, sulfur contaminants in the fuel can change the resistance of the sending card, causing issues with the fuel system and no reading to your gas gauge.

The reason why most people were taught to fill up their tanks before a long-term storage would be to keep moisture out of the fuel tank. The C7 Corvette fuel system is a closed system designed to keep moisture out and that’s why you can store your Corvette with just a quarter tank of fuel.

I have regularly been ignored informing people of this fact, so gave up providing this factual information quite some time ago. You sound like you have an open mind to an issue such as this.

 

This is what I have been doing !

1 - with tank 1/2 full add a 1/2 of can of Seafoam then fill tank and add other 1/2 of Seafoam after gas tank full.
2 - wash and detail car.
3 - fill tires with 35 pounds.
4 - put rubber mates on floor where tires will be.
5 - slice up some Irish Spring soap into 3 little plastic dishes/ containers. Put one dish in each foot well and in back hatch area.
6 - put a dryer sheet in glove box and center console.
7 - connect battery tender .
8 - put cover on car.

5 & 6 are for trying to stop mice from visiting during winter and car smell great in sring !

Then leave it alone till spring. Once March comes start telling car days too spring when I walk by !! I may skip 1 and go with 1/4 of tank. So not to get build up on senor/ sending unit in tank. But it's hard to break a habit that I have been doing for years. In spring I normally run fuel tank in car below 1/4 add some Techron fuel system cleaner 1/2 can at 1/2 full and the other 1/2 of can when tank is full ! Then

 

Do not fill gas tank. Leave it just 1/4 full. If you fill it up the sulfur in the gasoline will corrode the silver contacts in the sensing units and you will have problems with your fuel readings not working in the DIC. This has been discussed extensively here on the forum and also at the Corvette BASH.
Tire pressure at 40 is silly talk.

 

My list in no particular order:
1) plug in your battery maintainer

 

Doing this method your car may only last for 275,000 miles instead of 300,000 miles.