C7 Cold Winter Storage

52936 Views 135 Replies 61 Participants Last post by Blue 'Ray, Oct 17, 2016

C7Hotrod

Discussion Starter · Nov 30, 2013 (Edited)

Any member tips on storing my C7 for a long winter's night? Wondering about what sort of charger (USB?) I should use, since I didn't option anything and it will be cold storage with an almost full tank? Is it best to plug in through an inside connection or under the hood? Searched back threads and found some comments on cold storage, but none really addressed this. I've stored other vehicles and have always used cardboard or wood planks under the tires. Flat cardboard sheets can even absorb moisture under the car. I don't start them in the garage, as I think just warming it up doesn't help it. If the low profile tires are prone to flat spots, I could frame support it, but would rather not. I'll plug the exhaust and lower the windows slightly sometime soon. Probably will also put some sort of breathable cover on it, but I do have the shipping wrap it came with.

Good news - found some more info under the "Stingray Owners Logbook" thread on connection points that looks useful.

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Redc7

· #41 · Jan 24, 2014 (Edited)

Mothballs, but not the real ones.

I might set up a few mouse traps as well this way you'll know if they are around.
Might put rags in the exhaust pipes too to keep them out just remember before starting car.

zimm888

· #42 · Jan 24, 2014

What do you mean mothballs but not real ones lol. And in the car? Ewwww rather have nice ahahha

Derrick1812

· #43 · Jan 24, 2014

zimm888 said:
I have a detached garage. How can I eliminate (or try to) the possibility of mice setting up camp somewhere in my C7 for the winter?

Place mouse traps in your garage with cheese. I'm sure they want food before getting into a C7

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Redc7

· #44 · Jan 24, 2014

zimm888 said:
What do you mean mothballs but not real ones lol. And in the car? Ewwww rather have nice ahahha

Was just kidding on the real mothballs.

But yes mothballs do work and has been used for years. Another is peppermint oil.

jsvette

· #45 · Jan 24, 2014

zimm888 said:
I have a detached garage. How can I eliminate (or try to) the possibility of mice setting up camp somewhere in my C7 for the winter?

If you have power out there get an electronic anti-rodent unit. They work very effectively. Put Downy fabric softener sheets everywhere- the tail pipes, in and around the engine compartment, at each of the body vents, on top of the tires, and several in the car. Others will probably have additional suggestions.

Reactions: 1

coupeguyz51

· #46 · Jan 31, 2014

jsvette said:
Look into getting a CTEK 3300 and then use the accessory outlet your C7 has built in the right rear of the trunk. It is designed for that. The one in the dash is not live when the car is off. Run the wires from the maintainer out over the rubber gasket at the rear of the trunk and close the trunk as normal. Plug it and forget it. Add Sta-bil to your full gas tank. Bring up your tire pressures. Many people find putting Downy dryer sheets in and around your car (including under the hood) a very effective means of anti rodent practice. I would not leave your parking brake set. I am sure others will have additional suggestions to add. Best of luck.

Just ordered a battery tender....I have heard different opinions on how to run wire out of the hatch...one is to close it "as normal" and the other is to close it to the position where it is almost completely closed, but you need to exert some slight extra downward pressure for it to "click" closed....It would seem to me that the second opinion would avoid crimping the tender wire whereas the fully closed "as normal" would crimp it and possibly cause some problems....what has been the experience of those who have done either method? TIA.

glen e

· #47 · Jan 31, 2014

You are closing on pliable weatherstripping with a small wire, don't overthink it, any way you want to do it is fine.....

jsvette

· #48 · Jan 31, 2014

coupeguyz51 said:
Just ordered a battery tender....I have heard different opinions on how to run wire out of the hatch...one is to close it "as normal" and the other is to close it to the position where it is almost completely closed, but you need to exert some slight extra downward pressure for it to "click" closed....It would seem to me that the second opinion would avoid crimping the tender wire whereas the fully closed "as normal" would crimp it and possibly cause some problems....what has been the experience of those who have done either method? TIA.

First, welcome to our forum coupeguyz51! Glad to have you here. As for "closing the trunk style" I have been using the CTEK 3300 on RedHot and close the trunk fully as normal. It does not crimp the wires nor cause any problem doing it that way in my experience.

coupeguyz51

· #49 · Jan 31, 2014

glen e said:
You are closing on pliable weatherstripping with a small wire, don't overthink it, any way you want to do it is fine.....

Thanks Glen!

coupeguyz51

· #50 · Jan 31, 2014

jsvette said:
First, welcome to our forum coupeguyz51! Glad to have you here. As for "closing the trunk style" I have been using the CTEK 3300 on RedHot and close the trunk fully as normal. It does not crimp the wires nor cause any problem doing it that way in my experience.

Oops! Thanks to you too! Meant to combine with Glen e .... glad I found this site !

Trueblue

· #51 · Mar 10, 2014

Just took mine out of storage, after 100 days in a cold garage there was no evidence of flat spots.

Reactions: 3

GQ4Life

· #52 · Mar 10, 2014

Trueblue said:
Just took mine out of storage, after 100 days in a cold garage there was no evidence of flat spots.

Poor car was in prison

Boomer

· #53 · Mar 10, 2014

Trueblue said:
Just took mine out of storage, after 100 days in a cold garage there was no evidence of flat spots.

Did you have a battery tender on it during storage or disconnect the battery?

riggzy

· #54 · Mar 15, 2014

my C7 sat from December to march with one half hour ride.i always leave it hooked up to a battery tender even in the summer. it is in a garage and I have never waxed my car or covered it , I use adams spray detailer with their soft towels and the finish has no webbing or light scratching any where.i use a air hose with a dust nozzle on the end to blow off any dust that might accumulate in the vents or engine compartment.no sign of any flat spots.i think we go overboard sometimes myself included but the cars in museums sitfor months at a time and they don't do to much to keep them prestine.

Reactions: 1

Michael R

· #55 · Mar 15, 2014

Yeah. Have a sad story about a covered car in storage. My wife's M3 was eaten by mice over the winter. It wax the first time we used a cover on it.

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Trueblue

· #56 · Mar 20, 2014

I used the Ctek charger that I ordered as an option with the car. There was no issue closing the hatch on the small charger wire. The car was ready to go when the 10 inches of ice melted off the driveway.

Reactions: 3

sdcnews

· #57 · Apr 3, 2014

Well, everybody is entitled to their own opinion, so here is mine. It's a sacrilege to store this car for the winter. Get some all seasons and drive it year round. I've had mine smothered in salt and guess what? It all washed off. I just think this is such a great car, it needs to be driven and enjoyed.

Reactions: 2

Sugarcharlie

· #58 · Apr 13, 2014

I just bought a Ctek 3300 battery maintainer but noticed it only has clamps or eye let connectors. Is there an accessory I can buy to have an adapter so that it connects to the live outlet in my C7?

jsvette

· #59 · Apr 13, 2014

Sugarcharlie said:
I just bought a Ctek 3300 battery maintainer but noticed it only has clamps or eye let connectors. Is there an accessory I can buy to have an adapter so that it connects to the live outlet in my C7?

Yes, they sell the correct accessory end (ie cigarette adapter plug) that quick connects to the CTEK 3300 and will properly plug into the trunk accessory (the only 'live') outlet.

Sugarcharlie

· #60 · Apr 13, 2014

Thanks......I bought the Ctek 3300 on eBay so hopefully I can find the adapter there too.

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