Winterization question
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 312
Likes: 248
From: Sewickley PA
Winterization question
During the winter,
If your unheated garage temperature ranges from 20-45 F over the winter, do you need to do anything to protect your tires installed on the C7 ?
I have Michelin All Season R/Fs installed and do not plan to drive my 2019 GS until Spring. But I read someone on the forum say they used carpet squares on an untreated garage floor.
Is this helpful?
What does this accomplish?
If your unheated garage temperature ranges from 20-45 F over the winter, do you need to do anything to protect your tires installed on the C7 ?
I have Michelin All Season R/Fs installed and do not plan to drive my 2019 GS until Spring. But I read someone on the forum say they used carpet squares on an untreated garage floor.
Is this helpful?
What does this accomplish?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 312
Likes: 248
From: Sewickley PA
So... if you store your Corvette during the winter, roughly 3-4 months, what can cause flat spots?
And... are non-R/F tires more prone to flat spots than Run Flat tires?
Thoughts, anyone?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
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Even in the old days of tires flat spotting the flat spots would disappear once the tires were driven enough to get hot. Nowadays flat spots tend to disappear within a few miles of starting out so there isn't a reason to worry about them.
Bill
Bill
Burning Brakes
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I put an extra 5 psi in my tires last winter and did not have any flat spots in the spring.
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Just keep your tires inflated to the proper PSI (perhaps a few lbs more) and that is all you need to do.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2019
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From: Loveland
Lets make this more clear. When we are talking about "Flat Spots", we are NOT saying the tire is worn in one spot, like would happen if you skid your tires for a 100 feet during an emergency stop, this flat spot isn't going to go away. What happens when it gets REALLY cold, minus -25*F, the rubber in the tire just freezes and where it was setting stays flat for a while but goes away. You don't need to worry if you live in the south and it's a bit cool out, 20*, your tires will be just fine.
Last edited by kodpkd; Jan 16, 2024 at 10:05 AM.
Racer
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From: Brighton MI
Lets make this more clear. When we are talking about "Flat Spots", we are NOT saying the tire is worn in one spot, like would happen if you skid your tires for a 100 feet during an emergency stop, this flat spot isn't going to go away. What happens when it gets REALLY cold, minus -25*F, the rubber in the tire just freezes and where it was setting stays flat for a while but goes away. You don't need to worry if you live in the south and it's a bit cool out, 20*, your tires will be just fine.
Burning Brakes
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Pro
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I have Michelin A/S run flats and never have had an issue with the tires, the wheels, tahts another story! I solved that problem 2 weeks ago by getting a set of custom monobloc forged wheels!!! prior to that I had the factory wheels on and followed the factory bulletins! I didnt drive it under 30 degrees just to be safe! My all seasons I will drive in almost any temp, but wont drive in snow! I do however avg 13k miles per year for the 2 years of ownership! I enjoy my car and love driving it! I will never consider a car under 300k an investment
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I have Michelin A/S run flats and never have had an issue with the tires, the wheels, tahts another story! I solved that problem 2 weeks ago by getting a set of custom monobloc forged wheels!!! prior to that I had the factory wheels on and followed the factory bulletins! I didnt drive it under 30 degrees just to be safe! My all seasons I will drive in almost any temp, but wont drive in snow! I do however avg 13k miles per year for the 2 years of ownership! I enjoy my car and love driving it! I will never consider a car under 300k an investment
The Michelin A/S have no official minimum temperature, and are ok for 2-3" of snow on level terrain. See below.
Last edited by Gearhead Jim; Jan 16, 2024 at 05:38 PM.
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I have stored my cars in a cold garage during the winter for years with absolutely O tire problems
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I actually had flat spots on my Sport Cup 2's Fact that I had flat spots, so not sure how just being modern enters into it. They went away fairly fast. For $99 add on to my race ramps in 2017 I got a set of flat stopper cradles. I know they are way more expensive these days. Aside from flat spots, carpet or cradles keep car off floor and it northern areas insulating car from floor is a great idea. Garage floors can get damp in weather changes and moisture migrates up into vehicle. Park a car on grass awhile a long time and see what happens corrosion wise. If your well to do and have climate controlled environment probably just park it.. many do not have that luxury or may even store it somewhere without power or anything.. you gotta' do what you gotta' do.. you have to make the call for your own ride at end of day and do what you feel is best
Drifting
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From: Louisville KY
As others have said, you will not have any problems with flat spots. I had a set on Michelin AS4/ZP tires installed on my 2016 Stingray last year. Except for when there is salt on the roads, I now am able to drive it no matter what the temperature is outside.