After Winter Storage Restart

[Chick B.]

I am sure this thread has been addressed somewhere within these forums, but I can't find the answer to my question. So, will pose it here.

Have had my 1998 coupe in storage since last December 1st and, with the weather turning warmer and the sun showing up with more frequency, like every other 'Vette owner, I'm getting antsy to get it out and drive it.

With that said, what are the opinions for the restart? Once I have it running, should I allow it to sit and get "loose" for 10 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes? Can I pull it outside immediately after starting and allow it to "wake-up" while sitting outside? Or, should I leave it sit inside and not put the transmission into gear or any other mechanical parts until it's been running for some length of time?

I had the oil changed just prior to parking it for the winter. Should I go ahead and change it after removing it from storage? Is the oil from last year, since it's still fresh, OK until next oil change? Or, is there a probability there is moisture that needs to be removed by changing the oil?

Any other things I should consider when or before I take it out of storage?

As usual, in advance, thanks, for everyone's help.

Chick B.

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

December to April is nothing. Start it up, put it in gear and go. Hopefully the battery has been on a float charger all winter?

 

[BigJimZ16]

I am sure this thread has been addressed somewhere within these forums, but I can't find the answer to my question. So, will pose it here.

Have had my 1998 coupe in storage since last December 1st and, with the weather turning warmer and the sun showing up with more frequency, like every other 'Vette owner, I'm getting antsy to get it out and drive it.

With that said, what are the opinions for the restart? Once I have it running, should I allow it to sit and get "loose" for 10 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes? Can I pull it outside immediately after starting and allow it to "wake-up" while sitting outside? Or, should I leave it sit inside and not put the transmission into gear or any other mechanical parts until it's been running for some length of time?

I had the oil changed just prior to parking it for the winter. Should I go ahead and change it after removing it from storage? Is the oil from last year, since it's still fresh, OK until next oil change? Or, is there a probability there is moisture that needs to be removed by changing the oil?

Any other things I should consider when or before I take it out of storage?

As usual, in advance, thanks, for everyone's help.

Chick B.

Start it up, let the oil temperature come up to normal, put on your driving gloves and your best ascot and try to wipe that grin off of your face!!! Seriously, that's pretty much what I did Saturday. Woke both girls up, checked the air in the tires, started them up and let the temperature come up to normal; then I dropped the top on the GS and dropped the hammer on the Z06!!
Needless to say, " I'm still grinning ear to ear"...

 

[LLC5]

I am sure this thread has been addressed somewhere within these forums, but I can't find the answer to my question. So, will pose it here.

Have had my 1998 coupe in storage since last December 1st and, with the weather turning warmer and the sun showing up with more frequency, like every other 'Vette owner, I'm getting antsy to get it out and drive it.

With that said, what are the opinions for the restart? Once I have it running, should I allow it to sit and get "loose" for 10 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes? Can I pull it outside immediately after starting and allow it to "wake-up" while sitting outside? Or, should I leave it sit inside and not put the transmission into gear or any other mechanical parts until it's been running for some length of time?

I had the oil changed just prior to parking it for the winter. Should I go ahead and change it after removing it from storage? Is the oil from last year, since it's still fresh, OK until next oil change? Or, is there a probability there is moisture that needs to be removed by changing the oil?

Any other things I should consider when or before I take it out of storage?

As usual, in advance, thanks, for everyone's help.

Chick B.

Check your tire pressures and fluid levels, start the vehicle and drive it easy until the fluids are hot, and enjoy. There is condensation in your oil, but driving it for 20-30 minutes or more will remove most of it. Keep an eye on the oil level and color of the oil through your dipstick, and if everything looks good visually then I would change the oil at your next scheduled mileage interval, or 12 months, which ever comes first. Have fun.

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

There's no need or benefit in sitting waiting for any temperature to rise. This just prolongs the warm up cycle and wastes gas. Unless the car has been through all sort of hot/cold temperate variations while sitting parked in the garage there will be no significant accumulation of moisture in the oil to worry about.

 

[LLC5]

There's no need or benefit in sitting waiting for any temperature to rise. This just prolongs the warm up cycle and wastes gas. Unless the car has been through all sort of hot/cold temperate variations while sitting parked in the garage there will be no significant accumulation of moisture in the oil to worry about.

There is definitely a benefit to letting the mechanicals warm up to full temperature before running it hard, but as you state do not just let it idle as that can create more problems. The key is to drive the vehicle, not just let it idle, to achieve full warm up. Driving any vehicle as easy as you can, or conditions will allow, until fully warm after a cold start up will benefit the drivetrain.

 

[timfitz63]

There is definitely a benefit to letting the mechanicals warm up to full temperature before running it hard, but as you state do not just let it idle as that can create more problems. The key is to drive the vehicle, not just let it idle, to achieve full warm up. Driving any vehicle as easy as you can, or conditions will allow, until fully warm after a cold start up will benefit the drivetrain.

This has always been my approach as well: start it up and start driving it, waiting for all the fluids to reach operating temperatures before engaging in, shall we say, 'spirited' driving...

 

[vett boy]

Corvettes are living ,breathing things and your doing your best to take real good care of her .As others have stated check fluids ,if OK start her up and do a brief warm up.LS engines come up to temp fairly quick .After your out of the garage check the floor for minor oil leak spots .I'd say your all set for a great summer and remember your car loves you

 

[Chick B.]

Thanks, to all for your recommendations and offering your knowledge and experience. Just purchased my first Corvette last fall at the age of 64. This will be my first "full" driving season and I am looking forward to it. Going to pull her out, take her straight to the "tire store" and get new rubber and chome wheels in place. Will be posting pictures just as soon as I have everything in place. 1998 coupe with only 6,384 miles on her when I made the purchase. Very lucky to find one, locally, that is, pretty much, mint condition.

 

[phoneman91]

Thanks, to all for your recommendations and offering your knowledge and experience. Just purchased my first Corvette last fall at the age of 64. This will be my first "full" driving season and I am looking forward to it. Going to pull her out, take her straight to the "tire store" and get new rubber and chome wheels in place. Will be posting pictures just as soon as I have everything in place. 1998 coupe with only 6,384 miles on her when I made the purchase. Very lucky to find one, locally, that is, pretty much, mint condition.

6384 miles on a 1998? Must have been a one owner ! Could we see some pictures?

I just bought a 2001 C5 with 10.8k miles and it was a one owner . With original EMTs with 6/32 inch left! And it had the original air filter that was 12 years old! And the engine compartment and undercarriage looks like it has never been driven in the rain nor snow!

And I just bought my first Corvette at 62 !