Almost time for winter storage!

[Don I.]

This will be my first winter with my Corvette. What do you guy's do for winter preparation on your Corvettes? Does it hurt the car putting on all four corners jack stands and letting the suspension hang? Any tips that you could give me would be great. Old man winter is going to be here early in upstate New York I think!!!!! Thanks, Don.

[John H.]

Re: Almost time for winter storage!

This will be my first winter with my Corvette. What do you guy's do for winter preparation on your Corvettes? Does it hurt the car putting on all four corners jack stands and letting the suspension hang? Any tips that you could give me would be great. Old man winter is going to be here early in upstate New York I think!!!!! Thanks, Don.

Don -

I fill the gas tank, change the oil, make sure the tires have 35 psi, open my battery switch, roll up the windows, and let it sit 'til Spring. When Spring comes, I check the tires, close the battery switch, and drive it. Been doing this to all my classics through the cold Michigan winters for 40+ years - that's all they need.

[Michael W.]

Re: Almost time for winter storage!

Does it hurt the car putting on all four corners jack stands and letting the suspension hang?

Yes, that's a practice with no possible benefit and puts the suspension bushings in extreme torsion for an extended period- something they were not designed to do.

1) change the oil and filter

2) fill the gas tank

3) ensure the antifreeze is fresh and suitable for the lowest possible temperatures

4) attach a battery tender

5) do not start the engine

6) come back in the spring, turn the key and off you go.

[R N.]

Re: Almost time for winter storage!

I do the same thing as John and Michael, but I don't top off the fuel tank as my garage is heated and no worries for any condensation in the tank (I believe thats why most folks fill their tanks) Then is the spring I have fresh fuel to start the season off with.

I also add a small amount of fuel stabilizer before the long winter sleep.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Almost time for winter storage!

I do similar steps, but also put most of my cars in a Car Jacket:

http://www.carbag.com/products/carjacket

Protects them from condensation that especially shows up on days when the temperature swings dramatically. They also keep dust, bugs and other creatures away from the car.

[Norm B.]

Re: Almost time for winter storage!

I store my '63 in an unheated barn in here in Southern Ontario. Here's what I have been doing for 30+ years;
1. Change the oil
2. Top off the fuel tank
3. Add gas stabilizer and run it long enough to get it to the carb
4. Disconnect the battery but leave it in
5. Put the cover on, give it a comforting pat on the hood, and walk away

Never had any issues come spring. I uncover the car, reconnect the battery, pump the brake pedal a couple of time just to make sure I have pedal, and it usually fires up on the third or fourth crank. If the battery is fully charged and disconnected it should be ok to start the car in Spring. If not, well, your battery is on its last legs anyway. Cold is not really an issue but one of the biggest things to avoid is moisture/condensation which is often caused by extreme swings in temperature. The barn where mine is stored is a little on the drafty side but that also is what keeps it dry. I agree with Michael when it comes to jack stands, there is no need and it will likely doing more harm than good.

[Stuart F.]

Re: Almost time for winter storage!

I change my oil from 15w - 40 to 10w - 30, pop in a new Wix filter Cartridge, check my tire pressures, maybe change my brake fluid and coolant (at least check them), check my tranny and posi fluids, pull a spark plug or two to inspect their condition, maybe put the top up and get ready to roll for another "cool" season here in sunny central Florida.

Oh ya, if I don't post quite as often as during the heat of the summer, you'll know I'm out on some cruise, car show, or just charging my own battery on redline pulls some where on the many nicely paved back roads - OH! Look out for those Sand Hill Cranes! Watch out for that road kill up ahead!

Back home again; put the Vette to bed and go watch the 10 O'clock news, then off to dreamland myself to contemplate tomorrow's fun (or Doctor Appointment).

Sleep tight, my northern brothers, pull the covers up.

Stu Fox

[Don L.]

Re: Almost time for winter storage!

I change my oil from 15w - 40 to 10w - 30, pop in a new Wix filter Cartridge, check my tire pressures, maybe change my brake fluid and coolant (at least check them), check my tranny and posi fluids, pull a spark plug or two to inspect their condition, maybe put the top up and get ready to roll for another "cool" season here in sunny central Florida.

Oh ya, if I don't post quite as often as during the heat of the summer, you'll know I'm out on some cruise, car show, or just charging my own battery on redline pulls some where on the many nicely paved back roads - OH! Look out for those Sand Hill Cranes! Watch out for that road kill up ahead!

Back home again; put the Vette to bed and go watch the 10 O'clock news, then off to dreamland myself to contemplate tomorrow's fun (or Doctor Appointment).

Sleep tight, my northern brothers, pull the covers up.

Stu Fox

That's enough outa you.

But, Stu, what you fail to recognize is all the beautiful snowscapes that you can't capitalize on by being "stuck" down there in FL.

[Kenneth B.]

Re: Almost time for winter storage!

That's enough outa you. But, Stu, what you fail to recognize is all the beautiful snowscapes that you can't capitalize on by being "stuck" down there in FL.

But here in Phoenix we can drive to Flagstaff & look at the snow & come half way back & put the top down. Don't miss IN. at all

[Leif A.]

Re: Almost time for winter storage!

The weather in Texas is just now cooling down to the point where it's comfortable to drive our Classiscs. Being originally from Rhode Island, I can tell you I truly do NOT miss the long cold winters where driving a classic car for six months is verboten. We'll be thinking of y'all this winter as we enjoy driving in cooler weather. But, as John, Michael, Patrick and Norm stated...a little preventative maintenance will go a long way come spring. Toss some dryer sheets inside the car, engine compartment and trunk, if you have one...helps keep the mice away.

[Mike E.]

Re: Almost time for winter storage!

Don't miss IN. at all

Oh Ken... Shut up . Maybe this is the year for the Irish.. Dang it that probably jinked it.

Mike

[Bob H.]

Re: Almost time for winter storage!

My condolences to you guys!!!. Don't store your car!! Buy a house here and drive it year round. Here in Orlando I just pulled my 427/435 out and drove it for the first time in months. We finally had the perfect evening for a car show with no rain!!!!.

PS: If buying a house here is out of the question for any reason, simply ship your car to me for the winter and I'll keep it roadworthy.

[Duke W.]

Re: Almost time for winter storage!

You guys all forgot the mouse traps/poison under the car, in the engine compartment and interior. Oh, that's right, nobody has mice in their garage or barn... not until they do several thousand dollars damage chewing up wiring, rubber, seats, etc.

Duke

[Don I.]

Re: Almost time for winter storage!

Thank you guys for all of your excellent advice! Yes, the weather in the north sucks!!!

[Tom L.]

Re: Almost time for winter storage!

"Here in Orlando I just pulled my 427/435 out and drove it for the first time in months. We finally had the perfect evening for a car show with no rain!!!!." Had to wait for months to have no rain or too much heat.... HMMM.... Something seems wrong here. I'm in the North east, Long Island NY, and I don't "store" the car. The only reason it sits for "months" is because the snow and salt haven't gone away. Experience has shown me that there are good days for cruising all year round, my heat works and the A/C in the summer too! Just messin' you know!! As always, have fun!!