Winter Storage
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2024
Posts: 34
Likes: 8
From: Dutchess County,NY
Winter Storage
Hello all. My 2025 HTC is being delivered next week. My first C8, and my first convertible. I would like to know. Since i won't be driving it until March or April. Should i start it up every few months? And let it run for a while. Or not. Unless i misunderstood. I read somewhere browsing the web. I should of wrote it down. That the LT6 should not sit for any length of time without being started. Thanks!
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,689
Likes: 202
From: Loveland, CO
I would let it sit and hook up to Battery Tender charger. The oil seldom gets over 150 degrees in these cars while driving, and I would think you would get more condensation and contaminates in the oil by just starting it than leaving it sit.
Just my 2 cents worth.
Ralph
Just my 2 cents worth.
Ralph
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 1,759
Likes: 1,494
2024 C8 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
+2 to battery tender and let it sit.
Do more harm than good by just starting it and letting it idle.
Just another practice that is from the 60's and older fluids that is now out of date, but still practiced because people still spread and share it. Same with flat spot prevention. Modern tires don't permanently flat spot. Any issues will be gone within the first 3 miles you drive it again. No harm with getting flat spot stoppers if you want to, but starting it every few weeks and just idling it introduces condensation and contaminates that won't be burned off due to not being driven.
Do more harm than good by just starting it and letting it idle.
Just another practice that is from the 60's and older fluids that is now out of date, but still practiced because people still spread and share it. Same with flat spot prevention. Modern tires don't permanently flat spot. Any issues will be gone within the first 3 miles you drive it again. No harm with getting flat spot stoppers if you want to, but starting it every few weeks and just idling it introduces condensation and contaminates that won't be burned off due to not being driven.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 10,561
Likes: 8,360
From: San Antonio, TX/Mahopac, NY
2024 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C7 of the Year Winner - Modified
This is another one of those beliefs that is no longer true. The fuel system is sealed. In fact, for C7 Corvettes it is recommended to leave only 1/4 tank to protect the tank components. Not sure if this is still true for the C8. Anyone?
Pro
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 562
Likes: 521
Another thing to consider OP, if you are not going to be driving the car for around 6 months, you may as well change the oil too if you haven't already. If you have mileage on the oil you don't want the contaminants to be pushed around when you start it up in 6 months. My car has been sitting for 1.5 months now due to winter and I have 4 more months to go. I'm changing it tomorrow. I was at Watkins Glen this past June for the 6 hours of the Glen and there were some Mobil oil engineers there that we were able to ask questions to in the Corvette coral tent, one thing I took to heart was that he said if you are going to let your vehicle sit for more than 4 to 6 months, you should change the oil and put it to bed. With all the contaminants and the breakdown of some of the oil components over time from not being used, it should be drained and replaced with new oil. Then in the spring you have fresh oil and can just fire it up and go. Hope this helps. 
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2024
Posts: 34
Likes: 8
From: Dutchess County,NY
Another thing to consider OP, if you are not going to be driving the car for around 6 months, you may as well change the oil too if you haven't already. If you have mileage on the oil you don't want the contaminants to be pushed around when you start it up in 6 months. My car has been sitting for 1.5 months now due to winter and I have 4 more months to go. I'm changing it tomorrow. I was at Watkins Glen this past June for the 6 hours of the Glen and there were some Mobil oil engineers there that we were able to ask questions to in the Corvette coral tent, one thing I took to heart was that he said if you are going to let your vehicle sit for more than 4 to 6 months, you should change the oil and put it to bed. With all the contaminants and the breakdown of some of the oil components over time from not being used, it should be drained and replaced with new oil. Then in the spring you have fresh oil and can just fire it up and go. Hope this helps.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 2,623
Likes: 439
In order to get at the battery on a C8, you have to pull out two holders on each side of the under hood area and then a large piece on the firewall over the battery. Can you pull that large piece off and get it back reasonably easily or is it the usual monumental pita?
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 921
Likes: 146
From: Fairfax VA
Another thing to consider OP, if you are not going to be driving the car for around 6 months, you may as well change the oil too if you haven't already. If you have mileage on the oil you don't want the contaminants to be pushed around when you start it up in 6 months. My car has been sitting for 1.5 months now due to winter and I have 4 more months to go. I'm changing it tomorrow. I was at Watkins Glen this past June for the 6 hours of the Glen and there were some Mobil oil engineers there that we were able to ask questions to in the Corvette coral tent, one thing I took to heart was that he said if you are going to let your vehicle sit for more than 4 to 6 months, you should change the oil and put it to bed. With all the contaminants and the breakdown of some of the oil components over time from not being used, it should be drained and replaced with new oil. Then in the spring you have fresh oil and can just fire it up and go. Hope this helps.