01 winter storage question

[Don S.]

Storing 2001 vette for winter. Any potential computer problems in disconnecting the battery for 5 months.

Thanks guys
Don Steele

[Wayne K.]

Re: 01 winter storage question

Don,

None. Matter of fact, unless your going to leave a battery maintainer plugged in I would disconnect the battery as modern cars bring the battery down in a short time compared to old ones. I would expect that you will have to program any preset devices once you connect the battery in spring. Also before you connect it I would make sure it is fully charged.

Wayne

[Ralph E.]

Re: 01 winter storage question

Suggest you save yourself future headaches. Just put a battery tender on the battery. Check it once and a while. You'll be happy that you didn't disconnect the battery in the Spring.

[Clem Z.]

Re: 01 winter storage question

even with the battery disconnected you should still charge the battery every month to prevent it from going dead. a "battery tender" is the way to go. i just put a regular charger on mine one a month for 2 hours at 2 amps and leave the battery connected. the battery still has over 11 volts showing on the "DIC" even after a month but make sure you remove the keys from the ignition so the computers "goes to sleep" also you should change the oil filter run the engine for a few minutes to get the freash oil thru the engine. i also put 40# of air in the tires to prevent flat spots.

[Duke W.]

Re: 01 winter storage question

The colder the battery, the slower the discharge rate, but in subzero weather the battery could freeze if it's substantially discharged.

A battery tender is the best idea since you can forget about it, but charging once a month is fine as long as you remember to do it.

In the early seventies I stored my SWC at my parents house in Seattle for three and a half years. I just removed the one year old Delco replacement battery (It replaced the OE Delco tartop in the fall of '70.), and put it in the basement. When I went to take it out of storage I figured I'd have to buy a new battery, but low and behold, a slow charge for 24 hours brought it up to full voltage and it worked fine for the next several years.

Don't forget mouse traps under the car and poison in the engine compartment and interior. By far the most damage done to cars is storage is rodent caused.

Duke

[Jack U.]

Re: 01 winter storage question

I have a 2001 and I recommend the Battery Tender. I've used it the past two years and recently put it on for this winter.

2001 was the first use of the absorbent glass mat battery. I've been told that should it discharge and freeze, it won't hold a charge again. Better safe than sorry. Plus, should you have a fire in your garage, it's a little easier removing the Battery Tender than re-connecting the battery. (Not that you plan on a house fire. :-) )