Requesting a sticky topic: how to winterize our Camaros - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

stet · 10-07-2009, 06:35 AM

I would love to see a sticky (if this it the right forum for it) for discussion on how to store our Camaros during the winter. Living in Michigan means that pretty soon I’m going to have to do this. So far the advice I’ve gotten from friends on what to do has been mixed. Some say to empty the gas tank, some say to fill it to the top and put a stabilizer in it. Do we pull the battery or leave it hooked up? Do you leave the windows rolled up or down? I’ve also been told that it’s a good idea to move car a small bit every few weeks to keep flat spots from forming on the tires. What about car covers when parked in a garage? Good idea to keep dust off or will it only trap moisture in which could cause other issues?

There are a lot of us Camaro owners in northern states and Canada who will be doing the same thing soon and I really haven’t come across any really good instructions on what to do.

HDDAN · 10-07-2009, 07:16 AM

I am wondering the same thing about my SS here in soon to be snowy Massachusetts. With my Harley I put in Stabil. fill the tank, drain the oil(dry sump with tank higher than engine case, I will not do this with my SS) 1/2 of a teaspoon of oil in each cylinder, (i will not do this with the SS) remove the battery and charge it every two weeks and stuff rags into the exhaust pipes to keep out rodents and cold air. I do not move it and have never had an issue with the tires. With the Camaro, I plan on buying a battery tender instead of removing the battery. If your battery discharges, it will freeze and crack the case and ruin a lot of things. If your garage is unheated, make sure that the battery doesn't go dead. On days when the roads are dry and snow free, I plan on driving it around the neighborhood. I cover the Harley with a breathable MC cover. I will probably just throw a blanket on top of the SS to keep the dust off of it.

wrek · 10-07-2009, 08:10 AM

I can't stand the thought of not driving my car all winter. I won't drive it in snow or ice but there is NO FRIGGIN WAY this car is going into hibernation and I DO have a winter car.

AntiVnm · 10-07-2009, 01:09 PM

I have bought a battery tender for mine, only $25 bucks on amazon. I was also told by a GM mechanic that starting it up every couple weeks leads to more hard starts than only starting it when your ready to take it out of "hibernation" 8-10 vs. 1. I also heard that a bar of irish spring will keep rodents out and help out with the musty smell. I am not sure what to do with the gas situation, and even on the nice days i dont want the salt or "brine" they spray on the roads (in ohio) on my car. The brine seems to "fuse" the rims and they are a beast to take off. I am most likely going to sew a couple sheets together for the car to cover it...i know i know its the cheap way out but thats just me.

Sher525 · 10-07-2009, 01:14 PM

I am also wondering the "proper/correct" way to store during the winter. I would appreciate any and all information, thanks!

tjd24 · 10-07-2009, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrek

I can't stand the thought of not driving my car all winter. I won't drive it in snow or ice but there is NO FRIGGIN WAY this car is going into hibernation and I DO have a winter car.

+1 - while its been my summer daily drive, and even though I bought 20" Bridgestone Blizzaks / new rims to swap out the Pirelli/RS rims, my plan is to drive it when dry throughout the winter. When forecast is iffy I'll drive my wife's G6 which has proven great in ice/light snow and if bad/threatening bad work virtual office.

Its meant to be driven whenever possible but not foolishly...

HDDAN · 10-07-2009, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AntiVnm

I have bought a battery tender for mine, only $25 bucks on amazon. I was also told by a GM mechanic that starting it up every couple weeks leads to more hard starts than only starting it when your ready to take it out of "hibernation" 8-10 vs. 1. I also heard that a bar of irish spring will keep rodents out and help out with the musty smell. I am not sure what to do with the gas situation, and even on the nice days i dont want the salt or "brine" they spray on the roads (in ohio) on my car. The brine seems to "fuse" the rims and they are a beast to take off. I am most likely going to sew a couple sheets together for the car to cover it...i know i know its the cheap way out but thats just me.

Use Stabil as directed in the gas tank. I have seen many motorcycles suffer from people not using this stuff. The gas turns to jelly in the fuel lines and fuel injectors without it. You can get enough of it to treat a couole of tankfuls for about five dollars. I have been using it in my motorcycles for 30 years. Thanks for the tip about the Irish spring, I will try it out.

O2BQIK · 10-07-2009, 06:24 PM

I live in the south so I don't have any experience with this, but I just thought I'd mention that I've heard of people taking the wheels off the car and storing it on jack stands to avoid the flat spots, rather than moving the car.

thebighar · 10-07-2009, 06:48 PM

I have to agree with wrek, im driving it, its a car. I wont be driving in the snow but i could not put this car away all winter. Even if i had another car for winter i wouldn't use it. I know it's a camaro but there is a point on this site where people get a little anal with some of their issues with their cars. It aint gonna last forever, drive it!!!!!!

redlightroxy · 10-07-2009, 07:17 PM

I would love some info about this. I keep it in a garage at my apartment, but plan on getting a car cover for the winter. Curious about the battery thing... I've heard the same thing as the OP, and I'm confused as to which I should do. Definitely will be putting in fuel stablilizer.

I hate having to put her away for the winter, but I can't stand the thought of taking her out with salt on the roads. No way. She will be taken out again after the first good rain of the spring, when the threat of snow is gone. Although, it is Michigan... it does occasionally snow in late May

Scrappy Doo · 10-07-2009, 07:35 PM

I've been storing cars since I was 16 here. I make sure I have around 1/2 a tank of fuel just to be sure. On my last drive, I put in about half a can of seafoam and drive it a bit. When I get to the shop, the stabil goes in to it. I then let it run for a couple minutes, or drive it around the block.
It then gets parked in the shop, the cover goes on. I put mice poison around the car on the concrete, usually behind the tires.
I either make the trip or I call the old man to help me out to start them about once a month.
In the spring, around mid April or whenever the salt gets washed away, I take the car out and run it around to empty the tank. Then the fresh fuel goes in and you are good to go.

A couple things. My shop is heated, so it stays 60 in there all winter. And, I have never had a problem with the vehicles the next year. God bless Seafoam and Stabil.

tosh · 10-07-2009, 08:13 PM

I have been storing cars for 20 years . Use seafoam and stabil then fill tank and run about five miles. Do oil change ,park car, open hood 2 inches [ allow for air flow ] and crack windows about 2 to 3 inches. I do not use car cover but I am in a heated garage. Disconnect battery or use a trickle charger.

redlightroxy · 10-09-2009, 03:19 PM

Thanks Scrappy and Tosh.

Unfortunately I don't have the luxury of a heated garage, but at least it's a garage!!

Banshee · 10-12-2009, 11:24 AM

I already have the jack stands and will be 4 cornering the Camaro and removing the wheels and storing them inside. Will give me some bonding time with a thorough cleaning, polishing, buffing and waxing.

Battery tender is a great idea, cold starts in the winter is NOT a good idea as all of your engine wear comes from cold starting and not driving it. Moisture condenses in the crankcase as a byproduct of combustion. By not allowing the car to warm up and run at full temps for an extended period will allow the moisture to build up and not totally burn off. If us northerners plan on yearly 6 month storage, I do not recommend get in, start up and not drive. You are actually not doing much by starting the car once a week because the battery electrons are already cold/slower and draining anyhow. You would have to drive the car for 30-45 minutes to get that start charge back.

It is also recommended that if possible, change oil before storage. If you have a few thousand on the oil, no biggie, if you are close to an oil change DO IT prior to storage.

Fuel stabilizer will keep fuel fresh...I recommend adding it close to tank being empty and refuel. I believe these tanks are poly, so no need for a full tank of gas. I will also be adding fuel line antifreeze/drygas. Drive it for a few miles to get the new mixture in all the lines and injectors.

My Camaro will not be started until April..as hard as it will be for me not to. Both keys will be sent to my friend and placed in a saftey deposit box.

10-07-2009, 06:35 AM	#1
stet Drives: Victory Red 2SS/RS Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Warren, MI Posts: 73	Requesting a sticky topic: how to winterize our Camaros I would love to see a sticky (if this it the right forum for it) for discussion on how to store our Camaros during the winter. Living in Michigan means that pretty soon I’m going to have to do this. So far the advice I’ve gotten from friends on what to do has been mixed. Some say to empty the gas tank, some say to fill it to the top and put a stabilizer in it. Do we pull the battery or leave it hooked up? Do you leave the windows rolled up or down? I’ve also been told that it’s a good idea to move car a small bit every few weeks to keep flat spots from forming on the tires. What about car covers when parked in a garage? Good idea to keep dust off or will it only trap moisture in which could cause other issues? There are a lot of us Camaro owners in northern states and Canada who will be doing the same thing soon and I really haven’t come across any really good instructions on what to do.

10-07-2009, 01:09 PM	#4
AntiVnm Drives: '10 IBM Camaro Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Akron Ohio Posts: 147	I have bought a battery tender for mine, only $25 bucks on amazon. I was also told by a GM mechanic that starting it up every couple weeks leads to more hard starts than only starting it when your ready to take it out of "hibernation" 8-10 vs. 1. I also heard that a bar of irish spring will keep rodents out and help out with the musty smell. I am not sure what to do with the gas situation, and even on the nice days i dont want the salt or "brine" they spray on the roads (in ohio) on my car. The brine seems to "fuse" the rims and they are a beast to take off. I am most likely going to sew a couple sheets together for the car to cover it...i know i know its the cheap way out but thats just me. __________________ Dynateck 1 7/8 headers, CAI intake, Nitto DR, 3:73 Richmond gears, Vigilante 2800 stall converter, tune

10-07-2009, 06:24 PM	#8
O2BQIK Drives: 1991 Camaro RS Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Dallas area Posts: 596	I live in the south so I don't have any experience with this, but I just thought I'd mention that I've heard of people taking the wheels off the car and storing it on jack stands to avoid the flat spots, rather than moving the car. __________________ 2010 Camaro SS in black/beige: Sold. \| '91 Camaro RS: Still the dream car! '98 Camaro SS: Incon twin turbo. Sold \| '99 Camaro SS: Heads/cam/bolt-ons. Sold.

10-12-2009, 11:24 AM	#14
Banshee Institutionally Insane Drives: 2013 IOM 2SS/RS 1LE Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Detroit MI Posts: 2,115 View My Garage	I already have the jack stands and will be 4 cornering the Camaro and removing the wheels and storing them inside. Will give me some bonding time with a thorough cleaning, polishing, buffing and waxing. Battery tender is a great idea, cold starts in the winter is NOT a good idea as all of your engine wear comes from cold starting and not driving it. Moisture condenses in the crankcase as a byproduct of combustion. By not allowing the car to warm up and run at full temps for an extended period will allow the moisture to build up and not totally burn off. If us northerners plan on yearly 6 month storage, I do not recommend get in, start up and not drive. You are actually not doing much by starting the car once a week because the battery electrons are already cold/slower and draining anyhow. You would have to drive the car for 30-45 minutes to get that start charge back. It is also recommended that if possible, change oil before storage. If you have a few thousand on the oil, no biggie, if you are close to an oil change DO IT prior to storage. Fuel stabilizer will keep fuel fresh...I recommend adding it close to tank being empty and refuel. I believe these tanks are poly, so no need for a full tank of gas. I will also be adding fuel line antifreeze/drygas. Drive it for a few miles to get the new mixture in all the lines and injectors. My Camaro will not be started until April..as hard as it will be for me not to. Both keys will be sent to my friend and placed in a saftey deposit box. __________________ It's got a cop motor, a 440 cubic inch plant, it's got cop tires, cop suspension, cop shocks. It's a model made before catalytic converters so it'll run good on regular gas. What do you say, is it the new Bluesmobile or what?

10-07-2009, 07:16 AM	#2
HDDAN Drives: 2010 Camaro 1SS 2007 HD FLSTC Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Boston MA Posts: 1,510	I am wondering the same thing about my SS here in soon to be snowy Massachusetts. With my Harley I put in Stabil. fill the tank, drain the oil(dry sump with tank higher than engine case, I will not do this with my SS) 1/2 of a teaspoon of oil in each cylinder, (i will not do this with the SS) remove the battery and charge it every two weeks and stuff rags into the exhaust pipes to keep out rodents and cold air. I do not move it and have never had an issue with the tires. With the Camaro, I plan on buying a battery tender instead of removing the battery. If your battery discharges, it will freeze and crack the case and ruin a lot of things. If your garage is unheated, make sure that the battery doesn't go dead. On days when the roads are dry and snow free, I plan on driving it around the neighborhood. I cover the Harley with a breathable MC cover. I will probably just throw a blanket on top of the SS to keep the dust off of it.

10-07-2009, 08:10 AM	#3
wrek 2G1FK1EJ6-9 Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS RS Transformer Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Pompano Beach, FL Posts: 661 View My Garage	I can't stand the thought of not driving my car all winter. I won't drive it in snow or ice but there is NO FRIGGIN WAY this car is going into hibernation and I DO have a winter car.

10-07-2009, 01:14 PM	#5
Sher525 CAMAROLIOUS Drives: 2010 Camaro SS Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 62 View My Garage	I am also wondering the "proper/correct" way to store during the winter. I would appreciate any and all information, thanks!

10-07-2009, 06:48 PM	#9
thebighar Drives: 2018 1LT RS V6 Nightfall Grey Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Willow Grove PA Posts: 570	I have to agree with wrek, im driving it, its a car. I wont be driving in the snow but i could not put this car away all winter. Even if i had another car for winter i wouldn't use it. I know it's a camaro but there is a point on this site where people get a little anal with some of their issues with their cars. It aint gonna last forever, drive it!!!!!!

10-07-2009, 07:35 PM	#11
Scrappy Doo Drives: Callaway Rogue Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: W8n 4 Snow, Minnesota Posts: 4,731	I've been storing cars since I was 16 here. I make sure I have around 1/2 a tank of fuel just to be sure. On my last drive, I put in about half a can of seafoam and drive it a bit. When I get to the shop, the stabil goes in to it. I then let it run for a couple minutes, or drive it around the block. It then gets parked in the shop, the cover goes on. I put mice poison around the car on the concrete, usually behind the tires. I either make the trip or I call the old man to help me out to start them about once a month. In the spring, around mid April or whenever the salt gets washed away, I take the car out and run it around to empty the tank. Then the fresh fuel goes in and you are good to go. A couple things. My shop is heated, so it stays 60 in there all winter. And, I have never had a problem with the vehicles the next year. God bless Seafoam and Stabil.

10-07-2009, 08:13 PM	#12
tosh Drives: 67 chevelle Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: maine Posts: 25	I have been storing cars for 20 years . Use seafoam and stabil then fill tank and run about five miles. Do oil change ,park car, open hood 2 inches [ allow for air flow ] and crack windows about 2 to 3 inches. I do not use car cover but I am in a heated garage. Disconnect battery or use a trickle charger.