Storing My Z For Winter

[abowtieguy]

I would like your opinion on this matter. Should I change the oil om my Z? I got it in September and have just over 500 miles on her. By the lable on my drivers door it was made in January (01/04). I think maybe I should because it's been in there so long, but unsure because it has not much milage especialy with it being synthetic.
I was thinking of buying a car cover, any advice for what kind? I think I only need one for indoor storage, what do you use?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Doug

 

[Z06 Tom]

Couldn't hurt to change the oil. I did mine at 500 miles just to be sure. The synthetic doesn't require it, but who's to say you don't have some microscopic metal shavings from the engine being machined. Like I said, couldn't hurt.

A quality car cover will keep your paint clean, a good idea. I bought one, but never use it. I like to go out in the garage in the dead of winter and just sit in my Z. May sound nuts, but I feel better after I look at her and sit in her for a little while.

One item I would strongly recommend is a "Battery Tender." It is a small electronic charger that can sense when your battery needs charging. I've used one on my Z since it was new (winter of '01), and my battery is still going strong. Here's a link to show you what one looks like: http://www.corvettemuseum.com/cgi-bin/store/shop.cgi?ACTION=ENTER&thispage=new.html&ORDER_ID=!ORDERID!!

You might also think about parking on a mat or plywood. Can help you avoid flat spots on your tires.

Also, if you get mice or other such critters in your area, put out some traps. They can do a lot of damage if they take up residence in your car!:ugh Like it tells you in the owners video, "avoid nesting creatures."

 

[Z06 Tom]

...Sorry, bad link. Here's what it looks like:



Battery Tender Plus
The Battery Tender Plus is a 1.25 amp battery charger designed to fully charge a battery and maintain it at proper storage voltage without the damaging effects caused by trickle chargers. Includes a quick connect harness for hard to reach areas.

 

[abowtieguy]

Thanks for the info. Zo6 Tom, I will change the oil and filter for piece of mind then it will be fresh for spring.
With a car cover, does any of you take it with you when going on a trip and cover overnight or for weather coverage? I don't know if I should spend the extra $ for one for outside use. I probably would only use it as a dust cover in the garage. I'm afraid I would probably do the same as you with a car cover, but I would leave it on the shelf keeping dust off my empty beer cans. LOL. I keep her in a heated garage and lucky that I'm the only "critter" that takes residence in the car! It doesn't sound nuts too me for looking and sitting in your Vette, I do it also and it's what every "car person" does that can't wait for spring to get her on the road.
What's the differance if it's parked on concrete or plywood? I don't see the benifit of wood. I will either put more air pressure in the tires or put it on stands and remove the wheels to take the weight off the suspension. I read that somewhere online about if you should put the car on stands or just let it sit on the floor. I'm hoping for a mild winter and no gravel so maybe I could take the Z for a quick spin.(you know for the cars sake)
I will look into the Battery Tender, I was thinking of getting a few for my other vehicles too.

Thanks for the tips, they are appreciated.
:cool Doug

 

[MsSchroder]

ABowTieGuy,
I had the same question about the oil change one year after I bought mine.
Only about 1000 miles on it at the time, but I read you should change it at least once a year. I never got a definitive answer on it, but I did it anyway. It won't hurt, right?

I have an indoor cover which I got from the dealer, but I haven't used it much. I should drag it out just to make sure the cats don't get in the garage and jump on the car.

I've been thinking about getting Stabil to put in the gas tank, to eliminate condensation, etc., while it sits.

Tammy

 

[partspup]

I changed mine just before putting it up for winter, and I have taken my cover on trips with me. When I went to visit the kids in KY wanted to impress them because they know they won't inherit the car, goes to grand son. Drives my 3 boys nuts because I only have one grandson.

 

[partspup]

The reason you park it on wood or something like plastic is because the moisture comes up through the concret they say will dry out your tires, can't say if it's true but my brother builds hot rods and has stored them for years and always does this. I would also put some "downey" softners insid ethe car and under the hood that will keep critters out and does make the car smell good, also put some moth balls in the garage. just my 2 cents

 

[Rob]

Long-Term / Winter Corvette Storage

 

[Roadster Guy]

Hey abowtieguy out there in Calgary. Nice car you've got there. That link that Rob gave you regarding winter storage is excellent. I have used it as my guide and it covers most if not all the issues. I clock about 5000 km a year on my Vette and I change the oil (Mobil 1) right before and right after storage. Keep an eye on your other fluids regardless of how little mileage you do. They need changing over time. I flush my brake fluid every 2 years, change the cooling fluid every 3 and change the 6 speed tranny fluid even though the manual says it is good for life (don't believe it). I always keep mine covered in the garage......it's not going to hurt and a little extra protection just may come in handy. By the way, I have a really good "Wolf" cover that came with the car. It is for indoor or outdoor and it breathes which is good. I do take it with if I go north to a cottage and park under trees that drop stuff all over the car---it's kind of bulky and C4 Verts don't have much space so I usually con a friend or family member into hauling it up in their vehicle. Oh, and don't do what I did once.....I parked the Vette without knowing under a basketball net up at a cottage on Lake Joseph ...fortunately I was warned by a caring friend just in time as two ten year olds were about to shoot a few baskets

 

[Rob]

Hey abowtieguy out there in Calgary. Nice car you've got there. That link that Rob gave you regarding winter storage is excellent. I have used it as my guide and it covers most if not all the issues.

Actually....if you guys think it's missing a couple issues, please let me know. I'd like to update it and possibly re-write it a little bit in the future, so any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Roadster Guy]

Actually....if you guys think it's missing a couple issues, please let me know. I'd like to update it and possibly re-write it a little bit in the future, so any suggestions would be appreciated.

Rob, as I said I think it is excellent.

The only thoughts I could add are just things I do and others may or may not agree with them.

I use in my garage during storage an electronic plug in mouse (rodent, pest) device. Covers 500 sq. ft. and costs less than a penny a day and is safe. No need to worry about moth balls and Downey sheets etc under the hood. Works well for me and may be the modern solution....mine is guaranteed for 3 years and cost about $14 US, though I am sure they are getting cheaper. Keeps psests out of the garage as well as out of my Vette.

I don't change my tire inflation. I leave the stick in neutral, chalk the floor where the front tires are and roll the car (just lean on it and it rolls) a quarter or half wheel rotation every couple of weeks sometimes back and sometimes forward. Don't have to remove the cover or anything.

Lastly, I store the car with the windows lowered all the way. This keeps the interior fresh but most importantly keeps the glass pressure off the rubber weather mouldings and therefore helps the mouldings to keep their shape longer and keeps them snugging in tight when the windows are up...I mean why have the windows pressed against the mouldings for months for no reason.

Anyway, those are a few things off the top of my head.....RG:cool

 

[JETZ]

Noah cover by CoverCraft.
Hey nice color!

 

[Z06 Tom]

...I had the same question about the oil change one year after I bought mine.
Only about 1000 miles on it at the time, but I read you should change it at least once a year. I never got a definitive answer on it, but I did it anyway. It won't hurt, right?

What I've always heard is that your valves can leak just a bit and contaminate your oil with fuel. I don't see how this could be with a fuel injected engine, but hey, oils cheap.

 

[Hitman1]

I'm intrested to know what is everyone's concern about driving their baby in winter. Is it the snow only or the low temperatures?

I personnaly wouldn't drive my vette in Rain or Snow. I would drive her though in a sunny day even if the temperature was low. Should I be concerned?

 

[Patrick]

Hitman,
The issue most folks have with driving their Vettes in the winter comes to a couple of things: first, in snow and ice, the C5 (and in particular, the Z06, a lighter version of the C5) do not generate a great deal of traction. All the power of the car is in the rear wheels, and as light as the car is, it becomes ridiculously easy to simply spin your tires on a slick surface.

The other issue is what they put down on the roads to deal with the snow and ice. Where I live, it's mostly sand and gravel. In a lot of places, the road mix includes salt- and salt can corrode away metal.

How big an issue those two items are is something individual Corvette owners have to decide for themselves. As for driving it in the cold, I don't believe cold temps are any kind of hinderance to a Corvette. In fact, it may do them some good, being able to gulp down some chilly air.


-Patrick

 

[wishuwerehere82]

I'm intrested to know what is everyone's concern about driving their baby in winter. Is it the snow only or the low temperatures?

NaCl,Sodium Chloride,Salt+Aluminum or Steel= Aluminum Oxide and Rust.