sorry for cross posting this vs the C6 general forum, but I could use some WA state specific advice or thoughts on the matter ...
I'm planning on storing my c6 in my garage for the next 6 months during the wet and rainy Seattle winter months. Mainly to utilize my daily driver more since it's a lease and way under it's mileage, but also to discontinue my auto insurance on the C6 for 6 months and save some mulah in the tight economy (approx $750 total).
Any advice on prepping my car for storage? The garage is on the lowest level of a townhome and temperature never drops to freezing. Oil percenty is at 60%.
Keep a full tank of gas? disconnect battery? tire inflation? oil change before storage?
Here's a list that has been around the Forum for many years. Not everyone follows it but it's a good starting point. Just pick and choose what you want to do with your car:
Fill gas tank and add Sta-Bil; run through fuel lines
Change oil and filter
Park on moisture barrier or at least pads under tires to isolate from concrete moisture
Inflate tires to 38-40 psi cold
Apply sealant, wax, etc. to exterior paint
Apply leather dressing to seat panel
Apply vinyl dressing to interior; and to exterior black trim pieces
Hook up Battery Tender or disconnect battery
Cover with Wolf Dustop inside car cover
If you have rodent problems in your garage then you need to address that before they move into your Vette
1.Change oil before storage, acids and byproducts in the used oil can cause corrosion on engine internals..
2.Get a battery tender, and do not start during storage unless you will be driving the car. Short idle times do not allow for proper warm up, ie removing moisture from engine and trans oil, exhaust system..
3.On the last trip of the season, add Sta-Bil to the tank. If you are forced to use 10%ethanol blended fuel, I prefer Marine Formula Sta-Bil since it has more corrosion inhibitor that the standard stuff.
4.Increase tire pressure to 40-45psi. Helps prevent flat spots. Some also park all four on carpet remnants
5.Give all the weather stripping a good wipe down with your favorite Protectant..I use 303 Aerospace Protectant.
5. I also drop the windows just enough so they do not contact the weatherstripping. I also pop the latches on the top so it does not contact the seals.
6.Park on moisture barrier..I use the plastic tarps from wallyworld.
Instead of putting a stabilizer in the gas .... consider backing it out of the garage and letting it idle for 30 - 45 minutes every weekend. This would not only circulate the oil through the system and keep the tires from getting flat spots but allow you to close your eyes and just listen to the engine every week. 45 min should be enough to let the exhaust heat up sufficiently to evaporate any moisture.
Then again ....you could always just turn in the leased vehicle and drive the vette every day
Drive it. Washington winters aren't that bad. It won't melt. Just take a little more care in the spring cleanup and it's good to go. I've had Vette's for over 10 years and I have always driven them in the winter. If it's freezing, no way....but a little rain hasn't hurt any of them.
Instead of putting a stabilizer in the gas .... consider backing it out of the garage and letting it idle for 30 - 45 minutes every weekend. This would not only circulate the oil through the system and keep the tires from getting flat spots but allow you to close your eyes and just listen to the engine every week. 45 min should be enough to let the exhaust heat up sufficiently to evaporate any moisture.
Right on! My first year with the new car I just went down and made Vroooom Vroooom noises. Your method will be much more gratifying!
Location: Never be seen driving something you can actually afford.
For wat it's worth, I happen to have a very understanding insurance agent who will allow me to suspend all but my comprehensive insurance during the cold rainy months. The cool thing is that if I need/want to drive it on the occasional weekend, I simply E-mail or call my agent and they put full coverage on it for the weeknd (I suspect they just put a note in the file in case something happens).
I think this is the way to go instead of all this stuff about oil changes and high tire pressures, et al. (well, unless your agent won't allow you to do what mine does) Otherwise the posted advice you've received is very good.
Oh, and even with my nice arrangement, I still use a Battery Tender during those weeks of inactivity.
Mine isn't driven in the rain either, it stays in the garage. For the winter hibernation, I clean it up and cover it. The battery runs down if it sits a couple weeks in the cold temps, which can be prevented by disconnecting the batt. I got one of those twist knobs for $10 that makes it real easy. I start it once a month and let run until oil temp reaches 180 or so. Works for me. After disconnecting the batt, it will cause the idle to hunt for the next couple drives, until it relearns.
Mine isn't driven in the rain either, it stays in the garage. For the winter hibernation, I clean it up and cover it. The battery runs down if it sits a couple weeks in the cold temps, which can be prevented by disconnecting the batt. I got one of those twist knobs for $10 that makes it real easy. I start it once a month and let run until oil temp reaches 180 or so. Works for me. After disconnecting the batt, it will cause the idle to hunt for the next couple drives, until it relearns.
Just hook up a battery tender, $19 at walmart. I didn't start my corvette for 6 months last year. I held the accelerator pedal to the floor and ran the started for about 10 seconds to get oil pressure..Release the pedal, hit the button and it fired right up just like it had been started the day before..I switch my tender between the vette and the lawnmower, atv batteries for about 3 days every month.
Corvette Store
Storing for the winter in WA state
My first year with the new car I just went down and made Vroooom Vroooom noises. Your method will be much more gratifying!
