winterizing my car.

[ktaylor_99_z28]

Hey guys, I am from Michigan and snow+camaro=ditch. So I am planning to put her down for the winter. I have never done this before. What all would you recomend me doing so that I won't have any problems next spring?

Kyle

[justinakajuice]

First off, you will need to add Sta-Bil to the gas. I would put it in the tank and drive around with it so it gets in all of the fuel system. If you have a garage, you should put it on jackstands via the frame to release tension on the suspension. Change the oil before you store it with synthetic. If it is inside, do not cover the car with plastic or it can damage the paint. You will have to use a breathable fabric like a car cover or a couple of sheets. Or you can drive it around only when the roads are cleared off just down the road to the gas station or McDonalds. I'd do this over storing it. In spring, change all the fluids(maybe not trans or diff. fluids).

[02VTZ]

I do the same but this year I am also disconnecting the battery and removing it. Mine boiled over for some reason last winter and I didn't see it until their was corrosion all over the damn place. If you are lifting it up, you don't need to put plywood under the tires. I have heard that it isn't necessary to do this nowadays but what can it hurt right? As Justin said I always do an oil change before she goes to sleep mode and when I bring her back out in the Spring I usually do another a week or two after.

I would change your equation to Michigan = cold = snow + Camaro = Maaco.

Just trying to help!

[usa94z28]

Store it with a full tank of gas. But before you fill it up, add some gas stabilizer to the tank just prior. You'll want to drive at least 10 minutes after this to insure the stabilizer is all through the fuel system.

Completely drain the coolant system and put in fresh antifreeze with at least -20 freezing point. Don't forget to put some antifreeze in your windshield washer fluid holder as well.

Change the oil & filter. This will give the internal engine maximum rust and corrosion protection.

Brake fluid - if more than two years old (or dark honey colored): flush it & refill with new fluid. This should be done every spring. Silicone brake fluid is recommended..

Transmission and Differential should be topped up, it will displace any moisture.

WD40 (or equivalent) sprayed on all the hinges (hood, doors, trunk, etc.) will also help.
Wash and wax your vehicle just before storing it.

Clean the interior, dress all vinyl and rubber.

Store your vehicle in a dry place.

Put the top up and leave the windows down about 1/2" down to allow air to circulate in the interior.

Jacking the car up will remove the weight from the springs and prevent flat spots on the tires (more common on older bias ply). Spray the rubber bushings with a good quality spray to prevent rot.

If you cover your vehicle use only soft cotton or comparable materials that breathe and allow air circulation.

Descant is a good absorber of moisture. Go to a hardware store and get 3 or 4 bags of descant. Put a couple of bags in the interior of the vehicle and 1 or 2 in the trunk. This will help minimize condensation & rust.

Disconnect the battery while the vehicle is in storage. (You'll need to put you battery on a trickle charger like the Optimate Battery Charger.)

Place a rag/steel wool in the exhaust and air intake to keep moisture and small animals out.

Do not start your engine for short periods. This causes condensation and promotes rust.

Leave it in Neutral/park, hand brake off. In humid environments there can be a problem of the clutch disc becoming stuck to the flywheel and pressure plate. A wood dowel cut to the right length could be wedged between the clutch pedal and drivers seat to keep the clutch depressed.

Place a vapor barrier between your vehicle and the floor of the building where your vehicle is stored. The vapor barrier will help keep the moisture away from the under carriage of your vehicle. I also place plywood under each of my tires as the concrete is not the best for tires.

INSURANCE: Keep your comprehensive insurance paid up, but you may qualify for a discount when the vehicle is "stored" Just remember to reactivate PRIOR to the first spring drive.

If you have to store your vehicle outdoors, use caution about heavy tarps. Moisture trapped underneath them have lead to "bleached" spots in the paint. Also the wind whipping the tarp will tend to dull the paint as any dust between the tarp and paint will act as fine sand paper would.

Oil breaks down over time so when you get your vehicle out of storage run the engine for a short time and change the oil & filter again.

I usually take some "rust chesk" and go over all the seems and weld spots of the car.

I then place several moth balls in containers around the undercarriage.

Post lots of pics around the house and garage and dream of warm weather!

Please feel free to add comments.

[02VTZ]

Great info usa94z28. Thanks. Is the steel wool up the pipe a good idea though? I'd be afraid of it reacting with the exhaust metal and rusting. Just curious.

[96blackz28]

hay i live in michigan and i drove my camaro the hole winter last may and moslt likly im doing it this winter too . it was a pain in the as and pretty carzy at some time but the 200 pounds of sand in the trunk also helped a little. lol

[camaro_ss]

hay just want to know allso about putting my car away for the winter . i have a car port its not all closed in i have the roof on the car port and just the bottom side walls . and i have a car cover on it from slp . i put on a set of z06 chrom wheels do you guys think my rims will be ok like long as i dont drive it in the snow with the salt on the road . but a little snow got on my rims a little is that ok .

[02VTZ]

I haven't tried it personally but I have heard of people smearing the rims with Vaseline to keep moisture and stuff away. I would try to put something on them to save the chrome. It won't be as bad since you aren't plowing thru the snow and salt but still, continually being wet can't help them much.

[camaro_ss]

will like what can i put on my wheels im just very scared that my wheels might start to peel or rust but i know im not going to drive it in the snow at all my rims a like new and so is my car but a little bit of snow was on them and it turned in to ice a little . im sorry for hi jacking your thred taylor 99 z28 . my car is a 99 allso just to let you know

[shaun_t50]

Originally Posted by ktaylor_99_z28

Hey guys, I am from Michigan and snow+camaro=ditch. So I am planning to put her down for the winter. I have never done this before. What all would you recomend me doing so that I won't have any problems next spring?

Kyle

Yup,it's pretty covered....where about's in MI do you live....southeast here.

I just put my car up this weekend....gotta half tank,enough for random start ups,washed and covered it....but I go out there,since it's not going anywhere anyways,and take my time claybarring,polishing,waxing,I start it up here and there....I still show her attention in the winter.

[camaro_ss]

are you asking me if i live in MI . no i dont i live there i live in IA . yea i have the same rims as you but i got the rivets . that is a dam good looking car if i may say shaun and love the z06 chrom rims that hot

[shaun_t50]

Actually,I was askin' ktaylor....he/she lives in MI.,and Taylor in his/her name,and I happen to live in Taylor...

But anyhow,thanx bro. I appreciate the compliment!!makes the hard work(of keepin' her clean as possible)worth it.

Got any pics. of yours,would love to see it....what size rims/tires you runnin'??

[guywithfastcar]

I changed my oil about 2k miles ago with Castrol Synthetic.....should i change it again before letting her sit? can I use natural oil if im not going to run it? A guy I go to school with said i dont have to, just make sure to change it before I drive her again....but i dont think i could trust him on this one

[ktaylor_99_z28]

Thanks for all the info guys. 02VTZ, what would the plywood be for?

Shaun, you said you are from Taylor. I am 20 mins. south of you in Monroe.

[shaun_t50]

That's cool I know some people that live in Monroe....hell,my 3rd gen firebird was recovered in Monroe,in a bean field.Damn crooks.I'm pretty familiar with Monroe.

Did you hit any crusies and what not this summer??

See ya' round,you got that car put up for the winter?? Cold as hell today wasn't it,God I'm so not ready for winter.