Winter Storage
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3rd Gear
Joined: Nov 2023
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Winter Storage
Hello All, new member here. And, new C8 owner. Also, first Corvette.
We live in the Toronto area, so winter storage of summer toys is common place. Our C8 will be stored in a residential garage, clean and dry - but, not heated. Do we need to use a battery maintainer to keep the battery healthy over the long cold winter. I was quite surprised to learn that the C8 has a Lithium-Ion battery, and that GM has a specially designed maintainer for the Corvette that plugs into a cigarette type power outlet located in the Frunk. Strange stuff for a guy only used to conventional lead-acid batteries that are accessed via the two posts. In conversation with friends I have gotten a lot of mixed opinion on the need, and even concern over the use of this maintainer arrangement. I hear my friends concerns, some of who are more experienced with this stuff than I am. But, I also see a unique battery type, a seemingly pretty slick battery maintainer and a power outlet all purposely designed to work together by the OEM. Looking for input. Thankyou.
We live in the Toronto area, so winter storage of summer toys is common place. Our C8 will be stored in a residential garage, clean and dry - but, not heated. Do we need to use a battery maintainer to keep the battery healthy over the long cold winter. I was quite surprised to learn that the C8 has a Lithium-Ion battery, and that GM has a specially designed maintainer for the Corvette that plugs into a cigarette type power outlet located in the Frunk. Strange stuff for a guy only used to conventional lead-acid batteries that are accessed via the two posts. In conversation with friends I have gotten a lot of mixed opinion on the need, and even concern over the use of this maintainer arrangement. I hear my friends concerns, some of who are more experienced with this stuff than I am. But, I also see a unique battery type, a seemingly pretty slick battery maintainer and a power outlet all purposely designed to work together by the OEM. Looking for input. Thankyou.
Popular Reply
Nov 25, 2023, 10:53 AM
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2019
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From: Central Illinois
It doesn't have a Li-ion battery, just a regular battery. I plug mine into a CTEK MUS 4.3 every time I park the park the car in my garage (where it lives every day year round). It will extend the life of your battery.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2021
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From: Northern Illinois
I don't use a maintainer. I start my car every three to four weeks and run it until the water temperature gets to about 175'F. If the roads are dry I will drive the car around my development just a few blocks for tire rotation and gear lubrication and movement. In 40+ years I never had a dead battery or issue during winter storage. If you have one you can plug the maintainer in periodically for a few hours but I don't like leaving it unattended.
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Hello All, new member here. And, new C8 owner. Also, first Corvette.
We live in the Toronto area, so winter storage of summer toys is common place. Our C8 will be stored in a residential garage, clean and dry - but, not heated. Do we need to use a battery maintainer to keep the battery healthy over the long cold winter. I was quite surprised to learn that the C8 has a Lithium-Ion battery, and that GM has a specially designed maintainer for the Corvette that plugs into a cigarette type power outlet located in the Frunk. Strange stuff for a guy only used to conventional lead-acid batteries that are accessed via the two posts. In conversation with friends I have gotten a lot of mixed opinion on the need, and even concern over the use of this maintainer arrangement. I hear my friends concerns, some of who are more experienced with this stuff than I am. But, I also see a unique battery type, a seemingly pretty slick battery maintainer and a power outlet all purposely designed to work together by the OEM. Looking for input. Thankyou.
We live in the Toronto area, so winter storage of summer toys is common place. Our C8 will be stored in a residential garage, clean and dry - but, not heated. Do we need to use a battery maintainer to keep the battery healthy over the long cold winter. I was quite surprised to learn that the C8 has a Lithium-Ion battery, and that GM has a specially designed maintainer for the Corvette that plugs into a cigarette type power outlet located in the Frunk. Strange stuff for a guy only used to conventional lead-acid batteries that are accessed via the two posts. In conversation with friends I have gotten a lot of mixed opinion on the need, and even concern over the use of this maintainer arrangement. I hear my friends concerns, some of who are more experienced with this stuff than I am. But, I also see a unique battery type, a seemingly pretty slick battery maintainer and a power outlet all purposely designed to work together by the OEM. Looking for input. Thankyou.
As for the battery type - the E-Ray uses a lithium ion starting battery. But, as I read the 2024 manual, it gives the impression that the standard Stingray still has a flooded led acid battey.
The 2023 manual does say to use a "GM approved charger designed for lithium-Ion batteries" for the E-ray LI battery. However, @JerryU has noted that the part number for the eray charger is the same as the part number for the Stingray charger. I do not know if this "mystery" was ever resolved. I beleive that the issue with some flooded lead acid battery chargers is that the have a sulfation mode that some LI batteries do not like. Perhaps (speculation) the corvette battery charger (which is the absolute cheapest version of the Ctek charger) lacks that feature - and so can be used for both. But that is complete speculation.
Last edited by Andybump; Nov 25, 2023 at 10:55 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2019
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From: Central Illinois
It doesn't have a Li-ion battery, just a regular battery. I plug mine into a CTEK MUS 4.3 every time I park the park the car in my garage (where it lives every day year round). It will extend the life of your battery.
Enjoy while you can.
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[QUOTE=Andybump;1607271923]I would use a battery maintainer in your situation. In fact, I use mine all the time, even though I drive maybe once or twice a week. But, definitely if being not driven for a few months.
I have two corvettes, a '66 and a '21.
The '21 uses a lot of power just sitting there. So, if I plan on not driving her for a week or so, I use the battery maintainer. I do not do so for the '66 during the summer driving season.
Once the salt its the roads, both Corvettes are on a battery maintainer until a good rain washes the salt away. The midyear experts dont advise starting the '66 in the winter unless you plan on taking her for a ride for at least 30 minuets and I do the same for the C8.
I have two corvettes, a '66 and a '21.The '21 uses a lot of power just sitting there. So, if I plan on not driving her for a week or so, I use the battery maintainer. I do not do so for the '66 during the summer driving season.
Once the salt its the roads, both Corvettes are on a battery maintainer until a good rain washes the salt away. The midyear experts dont advise starting the '66 in the winter unless you plan on taking her for a ride for at least 30 minuets and I do the same for the C8.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
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[QUOTE=dahogan;1607272021]
In a relative sense, the new one might use more power than the 66. My 60 has only a clock which "winds" every so many seconds making a clicking noise. Any other loss is just loss that a battery experiences from just sitting or some leakage. But I have measure the parasitic loss of the C8, and it settles down to about 10 ma after a few minutes which is very low. It does wake up from time to time. I still recommend using the charger though. I use them on all my non-daily driver cars, my boat, and vintage equipment I have. Here is the link to my measurements:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...e-battery.html
I would use a battery maintainer in your situation. In fact, I use mine all the time, even though I drive maybe once or twice a week. But, definitely if being not driven for a few months.
I have two corvettes, a '66 and a '21.
The '21 uses a lot of power just sitting there. So, if I plan on not driving her for a week or so, I use the battery maintainer. I do not do so for the '66 during the summer driving season.
Once the salt its the roads, both Corvettes are on a battery maintainer until a good rain washes the salt away. The midyear experts dont advise starting the '66 in the winter unless you plan on taking her for a ride for at least 30 minuets and I do the same for the C8.
I have two corvettes, a '66 and a '21.The '21 uses a lot of power just sitting there. So, if I plan on not driving her for a week or so, I use the battery maintainer. I do not do so for the '66 during the summer driving season.
Once the salt its the roads, both Corvettes are on a battery maintainer until a good rain washes the salt away. The midyear experts dont advise starting the '66 in the winter unless you plan on taking her for a ride for at least 30 minuets and I do the same for the C8.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...e-battery.html
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,325
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From: Hiding In Your Closet...
Here's how to properly prep your car for winter storage...
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...r-storage.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...r-storage.html
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Oregon
If my car is in the garage for more than 5 days, I plug in the GM charger. The indicator lights always show the battery needs charge.
If I didn't plug it in, I think the battery would be dead in 3 weeks.
If I didn't plug it in, I think the battery would be dead in 3 weeks.
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Racer
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I have maintainers on everything I store for longer periods of time. A couple weeks - NO, but if you go over to my garage I have 3 ATV’s with maintainers, 3 Jet Skis, my big boat (which has a built in charger), little boat, cars, lawn mower, etc……
I’ve gone from buying new batteries every 2 seasons or so to getting a number of years out of those small batteries. I’m sold……
spring the 75 bucks for the C8 charger. Seems like a cheap feel-good.
I’ve gone from buying new batteries every 2 seasons or so to getting a number of years out of those small batteries. I’m sold……
spring the 75 bucks for the C8 charger. Seems like a cheap feel-good.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2021
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From: Barrie, Ontario, Canada
Hello fellow neighbor, just north of you in Barrie....I had a 19 for 4 yrs and got my 23 this past summer and have stored the Vette's for the winter months as well, and have always used the Battery Tender as GM strongly suggests this if the cars sits for any period of time, and I've never had an issue. Anyone who says they have never used the Battery Tender isn't evolving with the times and technology. Starting your car every few weeks actually causes more damage these days as it's difficult to get the car up to operating temperature long enough.....By plugging it in, it can only help the life of your battery, and also if your battery was to go dead, it's a pain to reset all your settings and sometimes you have to teach the window indexing as well....IMO, I will always use the Tender...
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I live in NW Georgia where I can drive mine year round. I still plug in the battery maintainer every time I park it because I don’t know when I will drive it again. I never have issues starting it in two years of ownership.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2021
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My garage is full so my C8 is stored during winter in a space that has no access to electrical power. I did leave the car "as is" for 6 weeks one summer while traveling and no problem starting. During 2022 storage I just detached the negative lead and that took about 10 minutes (20 minutes if you have a "helper").
Based on Andy's calculations (post#6), I guessed that the battery would be OK up to about 70-80 days without recharge and so was going to try and leave it for 8 weeks this year, run it for 1/2 hour and then store again for 8 weeks, however after a few discussions I decided tos just detach the negative lead.
Based on Andy's calculations (post#6), I guessed that the battery would be OK up to about 70-80 days without recharge and so was going to try and leave it for 8 weeks this year, run it for 1/2 hour and then store again for 8 weeks, however after a few discussions I decided tos just detach the negative lead.
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Another vote for battery maintainers. All my toys are on CTEK chargers. Had a Walmart battery last 12 years in my 66. Another vote for not starting it up periodically during storage.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2016
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From: SF Bay Area CA
Hello All, new member here. And, new C8 owner. Also, first Corvette.
We live in the Toronto area, so winter storage of summer toys is common place. Our C8 will be stored in a residential garage, clean and dry - but, not heated. Do we need to use a battery maintainer to keep the battery healthy over the long cold winter. I was quite surprised to learn that the C8 has a Lithium-Ion battery, and that GM has a specially designed maintainer for the Corvette that plugs into a cigarette type power outlet located in the Frunk. Strange stuff for a guy only used to conventional lead-acid batteries that are accessed via the two posts. In conversation with friends I have gotten a lot of mixed opinion on the need, and even concern over the use of this maintainer arrangement. I hear my friends concerns, some of who are more experienced with this stuff than I am. But, I also see a unique battery type, a seemingly pretty slick battery maintainer and a power outlet all purposely designed to work together by the OEM. Looking for input. Thankyou.
We live in the Toronto area, so winter storage of summer toys is common place. Our C8 will be stored in a residential garage, clean and dry - but, not heated. Do we need to use a battery maintainer to keep the battery healthy over the long cold winter. I was quite surprised to learn that the C8 has a Lithium-Ion battery, and that GM has a specially designed maintainer for the Corvette that plugs into a cigarette type power outlet located in the Frunk. Strange stuff for a guy only used to conventional lead-acid batteries that are accessed via the two posts. In conversation with friends I have gotten a lot of mixed opinion on the need, and even concern over the use of this maintainer arrangement. I hear my friends concerns, some of who are more experienced with this stuff than I am. But, I also see a unique battery type, a seemingly pretty slick battery maintainer and a power outlet all purposely designed to work together by the OEM. Looking for input. Thankyou.
Pro
Joined: May 2023
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From: About an hour north west of Albany, NY
Good discussion. I've used them in a couple scenarios many years ago, and was never impressed. That being said, I want one so I don't have to pull out trim panels to get to the battery if it was to crap out. Anybody else gone out and tested a dead battery scenario? Probably pretty easy, but I haven't done it yet. Open the door with the physical key, find the pull cable to open up the front hood?
Enjoy while you can.
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I do not have a C8, but the C4s and C5s I had, and now my C7, have been kept on a battery maintainer/tender when not being driven. Keep the battery at full charge and I have not noticed any adverse effects to the life of the battery.
Drifting
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1. He mentions changing oil in Spring so that the oil life monitor does not start Spring at 20-40% down. However, that means that the old oil was in there for possibly 3-5 months and you will need an oil change immediately since your oil life monitor show 0 and is overdue. Why have the old contaminated oil in there just so the oil life monitor can start at 100%? He should advise changing oil as per OLM OR if coming due while in storage change before storage.
2.Much worse: he recommends changing your DCT filter when you change oil at 7500. Minute 2:10 without stating first time only. My manual says DCT at 7500 and then every 22,500 not every oil change.
3. Sure plug in the car but no advice if you cannot.
4. Flat spot tires: he states flat spots become semi-permanent if car sits for longer than a week. BS. Here's what Michelin says "normal highway speeds for over 20 minutes will relax most flat spotting." and "typical tire flat spotting is not permanent"
5. Car on jack stands. Uhhh 99.9 percent of vehicles sit on their wheels their entire life. Most cars get driven for one hour in the morning and 1 hour in the evening and sit for the other 22 hours. So being generous at 20 hours sitting for 10 years thats 73,000 hours of sitting.
Last edited by gdb069; Nov 28, 2023 at 04:50 PM.
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I personally use my tender even if the car sits for a week, kind of an automatic procedure for me to pull the car into the garage & plug the tender in