People in cold climates...winter storage.

[papabearcamaro]

Decided to store my Camaro in an unheated,40,000SF building this winter. The building is all concrete including walls and floors.
My question is,since I won't have access to electricity to use a battery tender what do you guys in the north do battery wise over the winter? Owner of the building says it does not get extremely cold inside and most people do not pull out their batteries when they tuck their toys away. There are numerous motor homes,boats and cars parked in this building all winter.
Thoughts?

[Shift]

Just disconnect the battery if your not going visit it once in a while on nicer days, at worst you'll have to jump it when you pull it out


I'm not far north but its what I do with my boat for the winter

[flyinglow57]

disconnect the negative termanal and tuck it down somewhere so it doesnt flop back up to the neg post on the battery.. it will be fine. its probably a 10mm socket you need.

[Jayhawk500]

Although we don't get the cold weather as you do in Wisconsin, My car will sit for 95% of the winter @ about 40 degrees, + or - 20 degrees and driving rain. My car will be stored in my detached garage with no heat. I didn't disconnect anything last winter and I'll not disconnecting anything this coming winter.
The only thing I'll do is, wash and wax the car very good, fill the gas tank and add marine grade Sta-Bil (gets rid of the ethanhol), then cover it with some sort of cover. I do periodically start the car on nice days when I need the garage space for one of my wifes projects.
Good luck with your storage.

[papabearcamaro]

Definetly will be covered and Sta-bil will be mixed in with a full tank of gas before it goes in.
Thanks for the suggestions everyone!

[mike12345]

you'll need to drive the car at least once a month or put the car up on jackstands/blocks if you dont want flat spots on your tires.

I would just get a set of winter tires and drive the car, sell your winter jalopy.

Its a $30K car not a ZR1.

[Mach]

Originally Posted by mike12345

you'll need to drive the car at least once a month or put the car up on jackstands/blocks if you dont want flat spots on your tires.

I would just get a set of winter tires and drive the car, sell your winter jalopy.

Its a $30K car not a ZR1.

I remember reading the jack stand thing is not a good idea... One member here damaged this struts because they were extended for a prolonged time.

Modern tires dont flat spot that much.. it used to be a problem with older tires.

[myold88]

I've always disconnected the battery on my antique cars but its not necessary on a new car. On the type of storage facility your going to use, besides stabilzer put a few dryer-sheets under the hood, in the passenger compartment and trunk to rid off critters. Add a car cover and your good to go in the spring.

[SQUALO]

Originally Posted by Shift

Just disconnect the battery if your not going visit it once in a while on nicer days, at worst you'll have to jump it when you pull it out


I'm not far north but its what I do with my boat for the winter

Originally Posted by flyinglow57

disconnect the negative termanal and tuck it down somewhere so it doesnt flop back up to the neg post on the battery.. it will be fine. its probably a 10mm socket you need.

That's what I do, put fuel stabalizer, and get a good quality cover. I also use outdoor carpeting, with rubber bottom cut into squares, and place it under the tires, just to keep them off the cement floor.

Here is a link from the Canada section on this topic, and you'll see my pics in post #28
http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...storage&page=2

[joe h]

Steal wool in the exhaust and air intake is a must.

Add iso heet to the fuel to absorb water. Add stabil, or some other fuel treatment, then fill the tank full.

Then I fill the tires to max pressure. Take a large sheet of plastic, lay it out on the floor along with pieces of carpet, drive over it and then tuck all four sides in the doors, trunk, and under the hood, so none of the edges are touching the ground.

Disconnect and pull the battery.


Since you don't own the building, moth balls are probably out of the question. But I usually usually surround each vehicle with 2-3 boxes worth. Also rat traps along the walls and doorways is a must.

[Sc0rPs]

Originally Posted by mike12345

you'll need to drive the car at least once a month or put the car up on jackstands/blocks if you dont want flat spots on your tires.

I would just get a set of winter tires and drive the car, sell your winter jalopy.

Its a $30K car not a ZR1.

No you don't, and they are 25k - 50k cars depending on options & location.

Plus what does the sticker price got to do with anything? It's about what it's worth to YOU.

Now on topic, I would say depending on the length of your winter. If it's just a month or two then you really don't need to do anything.

I have stored cars but not due to winter, the tire warping should not happen unless you have it sitting for like 6 months. I would just recommend visiting your ride once or twice per month, fire it up, let it 'warm up' and drive it around the covered area.... that will do it, can keep an eye on it and of course visiting your baby.

[papabearcamaro]

Originally Posted by mike12345

you'll need to drive the car at least once a month or put the car up on jackstands/blocks if you dont want flat spots on your tires.

I would just get a set of winter tires and drive the car, sell your winter jalopy.

Its a $30K car not a ZR1.

Correct it is not a ZR1 but on the other hand this car was bought to be purly a summer toy. I have no intentions of having the Wisconsin salt eat it up over time.
Have an 09 Dodge Journey for the winter "jalopy".

[Sandor]

Definitely park it on a plastic sheet; concrete is almost as bad as a dirt floor in terms of allowing moisture to creep through and collect on the underside of your car. I would avoid carpet, there is no reason for it and it will simply hold humidity.

Everything else that people said is great - full tank treated with Sta-bile, wash and wax, lubricate the rubber seals with a good silcone treatment, use a car cover to keep the dust off, tires at max air pressure. To avoid flat spots you just need to move the car a foot forward and a foot back each month and they will not flat spot.

I also recommend getting the car started and up to operating temp once per month to keep things circulating, and cycle your heating and A/C. This is important becuase it will keep the A/C o-rings from drying out and shrinking, and running the heat moves the coolant through the heater core and helps prevent corrosion. Before shutting it down gun the engine to blow out the excess humidity from the exhaust system, then shut her down.

I have been following this winter storage process for over 20 years and have had zero issues.

[Mr. Wyndham]

You're "supposed" to use a battery tender.....

But there's a 15 year old battery in the old '79 that cranks over every spring with no problem. So.......