Bringing car out of winter storage, any advice?

[ITGuy11]

I plan on waking up the Camaro tomorrow after it has been asleep for the past 5 months

I plan on doing an oil change right away. Should I change the oil before starting it up for the first time, or should I take it out and get it fully warmed up first?

I will also check tire pressure and all other fluids. Any other suggestions?

[dermo1989]

No need to change the oil in my opinion, unless it's due to be changed obviously. Did you use a fuel stabilizer? Check under the hood for any varmint damage. And join the Detroit 5th Gen Camaro Club. Your ride's next upgrade!!

[Capthowdy]

..UUMMM DRIVE it like you STOLE it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[LoneCynic]

Warm it up and drive it some, then have the oil change done soon after. It isn't good to just let a vehicle sit like that all winter. I too had mine put up for the winter, but once every two weeks I went out and started it up, and let it idle for about twenty five minutes or so before shutting it off again.

If I caught a day where the snow had melted off briefly for a couple of days before it snowed again, I'd take her out and run her around the block once then park it and shut it off again. These measures are a good idea for you for next year.

We let a vehicle sit for close to eight months once without driving it years ago and had a bunch of problems soon after we started driving it again. Always good to run them semi-frequently to avoid major problems.

[JoeP@TeamBeckyD]

Originally Posted by dermo1989

No need to change the oil in my opinion, unless it's due to be changed obviously. Did you use a fuel stabilizer? Check under the hood for any varmint damage. And join the Detroit 5th Gen Camaro Club. Your ride's next upgrade!!

I hope to take mine out this weekend...

Becky

[Stex]

Originally Posted by ITGuy11

I plan on waking up the Camaro tomorrow after it has been asleep for the past 5 months

I plan on doing an oil change right away. Should I change the oil before starting it up for the first time, or should I take it out and get it fully warmed up first?

I will also check tire pressure and all other fluids. Any other suggestions?

Hmm...keg party?? Really, I feel for 'you-all' that have to store such a nice ride for months...

[CWI]

Oil isn't going bad setting in the oilpan for the winter any more than the oil setting on the shelf in a jug at the store all winter.
Other than that , looks like you have a good plan. Go get the cobwebs out.

[HDRDTD]

Originally Posted by BeckyD@RodgersChevrolet

I hope to take mine out this weekend...

Becky

If you don't take a least one of them out this weekend...

[BackinBlack]

Did you change the oil before you put it away for the winter? I hope you did. If you park it with clean oil it will be fine after 5-6 months of storage. If you start it once a month or every other month it will be just fine. Moisture is the real danger when letting an engine sit. Modern cars aren't as sensitive as the older ones were to long periods of down time. Just get 'em all clean inside and out, fresh fluids, and park 'em.

If you parked it with dirty oil then change it right away. Check/change all the fluids, belt and accesory drives, etc. etc. and you'll be good all summer. Sythetic oil should be changed after 12 months regardless.

The only thing you really need to do is inflate the tires back up to 36psi, and drive it around to take care of those 'flat' spots. Highway miles are great for the car, but go easy and keep it under 4000RPM. Then when it all warmed up let it rip.


If anything goes wrong, take it to your dealer. It does come with a new car warranty.

[TOMS1SS]

And the GF wants me to move back to Canton Township...

[fbodfather]

As someone said - check for "varmit damage"

Then -- start it up - DO NOT hit the accelerator pedal - let it idle and let the oil start to circulate thru the engine-

.........after about two minutes of idle - put 'er in gear and take a sedate ride for a block or two ----------and then "have at it!"

[newagemuscle]

Originally Posted by ITGuy11

I plan on waking up the Camaro tomorrow after it has been asleep for the past 5 months

Me too... and I live in Macomb Twp. also. Looks for a Rally Yellow tomorrow. I'm at 21and Card... where are you located?

[IROCanSS]

Originally Posted by LoneCynic

Warm it up and drive it some, then have the oil change done soon after. It isn't good to just let a vehicle sit like that all winter. I too had mine put up for the winter, but once every two weeks I went out and started it up, and let it idle for about twenty five minutes or so before shutting it off again.

If I caught a day where the snow had melted off briefly for a couple of days before it snowed again, I'd take her out and run her around the block once then park it and shut it off again. These measures are a good idea for you for next year.

We let a vehicle sit for close to eight months once without driving it years ago and had a bunch of problems soon after we started driving it again. Always good to run them semi-frequently to avoid major problems.

This person is TOTALLY wrong. If you store your car over the winter DO NOT frequently start it up. The car is totally happy just sitting and not running. Its WAY WORSE for the engine to have the many cold starts that arent needed. ALso, jsut letting it idle for 20 minutes is tortue on your battery as idle speeds drail the battery. Thirdly, moisture builds up in the system and can't burn off if you just let it idle. It is a common but going out and letting it warm up is not a good idea. Ask around...

Taking it around the block is OK but if you insist on starting it, get it out, take if for a drive and get everything warm and circulating. This will give the moisture time to work itself out.

As far as the car that was parked for 8 months and had nothing but problems after... I question the quality of the car to begin with.

To the OP: as far as the oil change, just change it when the car tells you to. It knows when it needs it. I havent changed mine since.... shoot August??? It never sat more than 6 weeks though...

[garfin]

Originally Posted by jrhaus76

This person is TOTALLY wrong. If you store your car over the winter DO NOT frequently start it up. The car is totally happy just sitting and not running. Its WAY WORSE for the engine to have the many cold starts that arent needed. ALso, jsut letting it idle for 20 minutes is tortue on your battery as idle speeds drail the battery. Thirdly, moisture builds up in the system and can't burn off if you just let it idle. It is a common but going out and letting it warm up is not a good idea. Ask around...

Taking it around the block is OK but if you insist on starting it, get it out, take if for a drive and get everything warm and circulating. This will give the moisture time to work itself out.

As far as the car that was parked for 8 months and had nothing but problems after... I question the quality of the car to begin with.

To the OP: as far as the oil change, just change it when the car tells you to. It knows when it needs it. I havent changed mine since.... shoot August??? It never sat more than 6 weeks though...

+1!
If you are unable to start the car during the winter and get it out for a long enough drive so that the car and the fluids can get up to normal operating temperature, then just leave it alone and don't start it up in order to just let it idle, for the reasons given above.

Another thing to consider (although the car's computer may not allow this to happen) is the quality of the gas in the tank and not using WOT until fresh gas is put in. I know that my marina operator tells me no WOT throttle on my boat in the spring until all the old gas is burned off. Once fresh gas is in the tank then go for it!
I'd think that today's vehicle computers can detect the octane level in the gas and compensate in someway. Cant anybody confirm?

Best regards,

Elie