Jeffthunbird

What do you unfortunate Northerners (like me) do to your cars to make sure all systems are go when the weather breaks?
I have No heat in my garage and it is detached from the house, so cold.
Here is what I do:
Fill gas tank with e0 91 octane.
Fresh oil just before lay-up.
I use a battery tender all season.
I start the car once a month and let it heat up. I do this when it seems the garage is 30 degrees or higher. Not when zero.
I move the car a few feet so the tires don't end up with a flat spot.
I don't operate the top.
I don't cover it.
I apologize if this is repetitive on this forum but it seems every topic is in some way...
Would I be better off not starting it? I'm wondering about cold start wear. Thanks everybody. PS: It's a Z51.

dvilin

Starting it does more harm than good. No need to move it as tires will be fine. Other than those two issues you are fine or at least aligned with what I do.

Patman

I agree with not starting it and idling it. You'll do more harm than good as you'll introduce moisture into the oil that way. Only start it up if you're going to be driving it long enough to get the oil up to full operating temperature (at least a 30 minute drive)

l.i. bruce fan

Lots and lots of threads on this board regarding winter storage options, particularly for your situation (unheated garage). Most tend to agree that starting it up for a few minutes can do more harm than good. Also some good thoughts on rodent repellent/deterrents and other aspects.

Start here: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1593577512

Snowwolfe

When I lived in Alaska and put my cars in storage I would clean them, disconnect the negative terminal and cover them. Thats it.

VooDooRob

Plug a battery tender in and park it until spring. Nothing else, been doing this for 30 years.

ScottTz

Fire it up, put in gear drive to So. Cal, AZ, or Fl. Sorry for being a smart ***, but couldn't resist!!!

Jeffthunbird

Thanks for posting that thread. I missed that one. Looks like storage techniques vary but the one common thing is that nobody starts the car during hibernation. I had been doing that to move fuel through the injection system but with e0, that shouldn't be an issue. Nobody reported that issue either. And yes, I plan to move south for some winter months in the future. Do I need 2 c7's?!?

Streetrod782

Put 40 lbs of air in tires, plug in tender, cover and see her in 5 months. I started her for a min because I missed the sound of the headers. I'm a weak weak man....

JerryU

with those that say don't start unless driving ~30 miles. Starting and idling just lets a rich mixture bypass the larger clearance in the piston rings as it gets warm and dilutes the oil. The products of combustion include a lot of water!

Changing oil before is fine just don't be surprised when you start the car 4 months later the OLM will say 75% oil life left! The C7 uses time in the algorithm unlike prior models (although the Owner's Manual has always said change as a minimum at least once per year regardless of miles etc.

I change the oil in my Street Rod once a year even though it is mostly driven to car shows. In fact if I need to move a ladder out of the garage where it is parked, when I pull it out I drive it ~25 miles to get the oil hot (and for fun.)

360Lemans

Question regarding lay-up procedures for Northerners

Agree Fresh oil just before lay-up.
1. Please use a condom (Florida has changed soooo much)
2. Blanket warmer works better than battery tender.
3. Yes as long as you stay in NY it's ok to drive it around.
4. Yes Rotate during hibernation it prevents bed sores.
5. Always operate the top first
6. Starting it up more than once a month would benefit all.
7. Please cover if it looks like your Former Senator from New York
8. Dunkin' Donuts has higher octane than Starbucks, and bang for buck
9. Cold start wear not good!!

kenownr

Us northerners do get a few nice sunny days in the winter. If it's dry and sunny, take it for a ride!! If you have the OEM tires still on it and it's cold, watch the traction till it warms up, they are not good at all in cold weather. Salt on the road; unless it's wet salt (then I stay home) I'm not too worried about the dust, the guys down in FLA/CAL/TX/AL etc. along the coast get a lot more salt exposure than we ever will going for a few rides in the winter. I think a lot of forum rats here will agree with me "It's not a collectible" drive the snot out of it, why save it for the next guy. Before I get flamed too bad, I know and UNDERSTAND that some of you guys/gals are planning on keeping your C7 for many years -- that's a good thing -- keep it spotless - that's your thing.

Marc DeSatnik

I washed and waxed it, put up on a Quick Jack, added a A&A Supercharger, Alky Control, Mighty Mouse Catch Can, AntiLaser Priority jammer, DBA rotors, Carbotech pads, Navtool with 2 cameras, PUR wheels, Z06 grille and spats and painted the calipers yellow.

kenownr

You're having a busy winter. Sounds like it will be killer this spring. Drive the snot out of it !!

C7GrandSport

Fuel Stabilizer!

And I agree with others, don't start it unless you're going to drive it.

CP

Fixt it for ya. It was almost 90 yesterday and the day before.

360Lemans

OK guys, I failed miserably on my mandatory sensitivity training !!

It was just humor that's all


Except for maybe NY, not all Northerners

bluman

I fill tank, add Stabil, raise tire pressure to 45 psi, battery tender on and cover !

PegasusCapital

Given the set-up of your garage, one of the most important things you need to do is take appropriate steps to prevent mice from infesting your vehicle. They can make a real mess and destroy everything from wiring to upholstery. There have been lots of posts about how to do this on the Forum.