Z storage and maintenance during Winter

rebe945

Just to review. My friend who's Corvette sits in my garage over the winter advised me NOT to run the Z for more than a few minutes, especially during really cold times due to the oil . Now what does anyone here do? I normally run my z for 15-20 minutes in nuetral and move the wheels out back and forth a couple of times. Then I use Meguires Ultimate detailer around the tAILPIPES AND PUT BACK THE COVER. I've been doing this now since I got her in 2009 and have no problems . What you guys say?

Chuck33079

Wouldn't you want to do the exact opposite of his advice? You would want to run it until it gets warm enough to evaporate off the condensation in the oil?

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kenchan

you cant burn off the moisture inside the midpipe.

dont run it at all unless you intend to drive 10-15miles..


my last fire up was mid-october.

rebe945

1 for and 1 against

MacCool

Agree that running it without getting oil up to operating temp just exacerbates condensation in the engine oil and internals. Run it up to temp and get the water out of the exhaust, or don't run it at all.

Modern oils have enough film strength that the moving parts will stay sufficiently lubricated.

kenchan

search...there's plenty of threads on this. use keywords like hibernation, battery manager, tender, stabil, etc. youll see suggestions on how to hibernate your car. GL

Ubetit

Storage for 4-6 months requires no special attention. I clean mine, pull it into the garage and cover it. No battery tender, no Stabil, no dyer sheets or any other BS. 4-6 months later I uncover it, start it, drive it. I drove my car a few days ago for the first time in 5 months. Other than a mile or two of working out the tire flat-spotting, all was well. It fired right up.

forza370z

I would drive it once in a while for 3 reasons. 1. Recharge the battery. 2. Avoid the flat spots on your tires. 3. I can't help to drive my z.

But you have to drive it not let it sit there idle for 15 minutes. Otherwise the moisture or water will rust your exhaust from inside.

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IDZRVIT

I don't over think storing a car for a short term. I do start mine two or three times throughout the winter. Same goes for my vette. Cars run perfect every spring.

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Mick_12Nismo

If I had my choice I'd opt for putting some dryer sheets (specifically Bounce original scent, so the legend goes) inside my car rather than go through the real BS of having to track down electrical faults after some f'ing mouse, in addition to crapping and pissing inside the car, has chewed through an impossibly hard to track down wiring harness. To each their own. Your mileage may vary.

Best,
Mick

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122554

Carpet squares under tires stops flat spotting

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kenchan

+1 with wat mick said.

these are preventative measures we take to ensure a smooth start up in spring time.


it's not a requirement by any means and honestly it's up to the owner wat he/she wants to do with their cars. i dont have mice problems, but i still place dicon under my cars in a little tray and do the whole nine yards on my hobby cars. typical hibernation is 5months, but this winter's been burtal...already passed 6months and therefore very glad i took the extra steps to ensure my car is in great condition.

Ubetit

You are making the assumption that dryer sheets deter mice... they don't. I've seen mice use dryer sheets as their nesting material.

But whatever makes you feel better.

b15

Everyone has their own opinion on this. For me, I change the oil before storage and take it on a nice long run to get the engine/oil temps up. Then I do a full detail, hook it up to a battery maintainer and put her in the garage under the cover. I will not start it up until we get decent spring weather. Last time my Z ran was the first week of Nov.

Personally I don't think idling the car in the middle of winter a couple times a month is beneficial. Given your battery isn't dead, modern day cars should start right up with no issues after sitting for a few months.

forza370z

Mine only last 2 weeks. The battery dies so quick.

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09 PW 370z Nismo | K&N Drop Ins | HKS Hi Power | Berk HFCs | Work Meister S1 3P | Project Kics R40 Neo Chrome Lug Nuts | KW V1 | SPC rear camber arms/toe bolts | Southbend Stage 3 daily clutch | Southband 19Ib Steel Flywheel | ZSpeed CSC