Winter Storage
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 363
Likes: 261
From: Federal Way, WA
Modified C8 of the Year 2021 Finalist
Winter Storage
Since the weather is changing in the Pacific Northwest, it's time for me to think about winter storage for my car. I was wondering what everyone did for the tires during winter storage. I was just looking at Race Ramps Flat Spot Eliminators, but I'm wondering if they are truly necessary.
Thank you for your time and advise, I appreciate it.
Bryan
Thank you for your time and advise, I appreciate it.
Bryan
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 45
Likes: 27
From: Stratford Ontario
Since the weather is changing in the Pacific Northwest, it's time for me to think about winter storage for my car. I was wondering what everyone did for the tires during winter storage. I was just looking at Race Ramps Flat Spot Eliminators, but I'm wondering if they are truly necessary.
Thank you for your time and advise, I appreciate it.
Bryan
Thank you for your time and advise, I appreciate it.
Bryan
I overinflate the tires 10 to 15 lbs. and use carpet squares to park on.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 10,709
Likes: 7,101
From: Fulshear, TX
When I lived in South Dakota I parked on little rubber mats for the winter. My dad (far northern Minnesota) parks on sheets of that hard pink foam insulation.
Last edited by Kracka; Oct 1, 2021 at 03:53 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,519
Likes: 431
From: MI
I park my C7, C2 and my 1970 442 with bias ply tires every winter without doing anything special. In 40 years, the only issue has been a slight flat spot on the bias ply tires on the 442. It clears up in a couple of miles of driving in the Spring.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 2,553
Likes: 1,876
From: Rochester Hills Michigan
I bought some of those Race Ramp Flat Spot Eliminators and returned them. Could NOT pull my car up on them, as they shifted all over the garage floor. I even tried putting some of that rubber, non slip matting used in tools boxes under each one and still no luck. I tried jacking up each corner and lowering onto the cradle but the wheel doesn't come down 'square' and the tire won't sit perfectly flat. For years before buying those I just always over inflated by about 10 lbs. and worked just fine. 
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 13,602
Likes: 12,864
From: Virginia
Modern tires do not flat spot, at least to any degree that will not correct itself within a block or so of driving.
I have had old bias-ply tires on C2 Corvettes flat spot after cars being stored for months.
I have had old bias-ply tires on C2 Corvettes flat spot after cars being stored for months.
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Race Director
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 12,351
Likes: 14,183
From: Central Illinois
I just parked mine in the garage with the tires at 30 psi. I will say my garage is heated and never gets below 50 degrees all winter long, but my tires were the exact same as when I parked it. I'll be doing the same this winter.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 11,373
Likes: 8,531
I would leave my battery connected, and just put a battery maintainer on it. This is because the battery needs to be maintained for storage anyway,even if disconnected, so no point in disconnecting it. There are also some things in the car that wake up from time to time and do some checks. Someone in another thread posted a list of things it does, taken right from the service manual.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 13,602
Likes: 12,864
From: Virginia
Pro
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 726
Likes: 45
From: Marquette MI
For the last 20years I have had Corvettes in Marquette MI on the south shore of Lake Superior. I gets cold here. I store my Vettes in my unheated garage. I over inflate the tires by 10 lbs. and put a trickle charger on the connected battery. That's it. Never had a problem.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
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Put a few extra PSI in each tire, place some old carpet squares under the tires if you want, and that’s it. The tires should not develop flat spots.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,298
Likes: 3,198
From: Oro Valley Arizona
Hmm?
OK. How do you feel about winter? I don't own an ice scraper certainly not a snow shovel. In fact, I'd be hard pressed to find either for sale. Guess that is what amazon is for? We might have 8-10 nights below 32 F. But just below. Our average day in January mid 60 and sunny. Super Bowl Sunday likely low 70s. Dallas Cowboys vs. KC Chiefs eh? So there is that.
Last edited by papillion; Oct 2, 2021 at 10:56 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,003
Likes: 356
From: Colorado
Arizona winters are so nice. Deserved after the brutal summer months. We put some carpet squares under our tires for winter. We still get the car out frequently during the winter, staying off of roads that have been treated with salt and gravel.
Last edited by Bmbl-Bee; Oct 2, 2021 at 12:09 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 767
Likes: 134
From: Illinois
Chicago area here. I try to drive it in the winter on nice days where the roads are dry. Drive it at least 10 or so miles. Then back in garage on Battery Tender. Never had a flat spot to my knowledge.
