How long to allow a car to sit?

[Don W.]

I've got my '69 sitting in the garage with the cover on. I have not started it in several weeks and not driven it in few months. What's your advice on how often I should start it and run it up to operating temperature (vs. starting it to pull it out of the garage and then shutting it off) and how often to get it out on the road....thanks...Don

[Kenneth B.]

Re: How long to allow a car to sit?

I've got my '69 sitting in the garage with the cover on. I have not started it in several weeks and not driven it in few months. What's your advice on how often I should start it and run it up to operating temperature (vs. starting it to pull it out of the garage and then shutting it off) and how often to get it out on the road....thanks...Don

Unless you plan to drive the car often I would not start it at all. Put a battery minder on it & leave it. If you have NOS tires you might want to put it up on jack stands if you will not drive it for a long time. Some of my Corvettes were not started for years & each one did fine when I got them out.
KEN

[Bruce B.]

Re: How long to allow a car to sit?

I agree with Ken, let it sit until you can take it out and drive around some.
I used to start my cars (57, 62, 65) every few weeks over the winter but I think it did more harm the good. Keep a good low output battery charger (Battery Minder, trcikle charger etc.) on it and it will usually be fine when you are ready to start it.

[Michael W.]

Re: How long to allow a car to sit?

Unless you plan to drive the car often I would not start it at all. Put a battery minder on it & leave it. If you have NOS tires you might want to put it up on jack stands if you will not drive it for a long time. Some of my Corvettes were not started for years & each one did fine when I got them out.
KEN

Exactly! Thanks Ken. Put the jack stands under the suspension to keep it at normal ride height though.

[Paul J.]

Re: How long to allow a car to sit?

What's your advice on how often I should start it and run it up to operating temperature (vs. starting it to pull it out of the garage and then shutting it off) and how often to get it out on the road....thanks...Don

Don't. It will be fine just sitting.

[Chris H.]

Re: How long to allow a car to sit?

Along with the battery charger, I keep the gas tank full to keep condensation from forming. And I pump the tires up to the maximum pressure to minimize flat spotting. And of course, be on mouse patrol.

[Kenneth B.]

Re: How long to allow a car to sit?

Along with the battery charger, I keep the gas tank full to keep condensation from forming. And I pump the tires up to the maximum pressure to minimize flat spotting. And of course, be on mouse patrol.

I assume that everyone that stores a car always keeps the tank full & tire pressure up. No matter what you do bies tires will get flat spots untill you drive them for a while. Other than what we all said just go out every now & then & pat it to let it know it will be on the road soon. Corvettes are like women if you don't pay attension to them its hell to pay later. You take care of them & they will take care of you. LOL
KEN

[Ken P.]

Re: How long to allow a car to sit?

Always good to have some Fuel Fresh in the fuel tank. I put it in all my gasoline engines and never have any problems.
I learned the hard way with my long gone 71 LT-1. Like clock work, the carb. would get gummed up over the winter and flood in the spring.

[Paul J.]

Re: How long to allow a car to sit?

... just go out every now & then & pat it to let it know it will be on the road soon....
KEN

heh, heh, heh

[Stephen B.]

Re: How long to allow a car to sit?

Kenneth Berry
I must agree with you completely especially your analogy involving women.I would have to add that most Corvettes have more pleasing lines than most women. Just a joke ladies,just a joke.
Stephen Barrett (21558) 59,66,71,73

[Randy G.]

Re: How long to allow a car to sit?

Here's an oldie to find out who loves you more. Put your wife and your dog in the trunk of your car and shut the lid. Come back an hour later and open the trunk lid. Now notice who is more happy to see you.

[Robert K.]

Re: How long to allow a car to sit?

I can't believe no one has mentioned a stuck clutch, that is stuck to the flywheel. I first garage I built, the clutch would stick within 3 months of sitting. My second garage, I covered the gravel with plastic before pouring concrete (recommended by an NCRS member) and never a problem with the clutch with the same car.

[Duke W.]

Re: How long to allow a car to sit?

Unless you plan to drive the car often I would not start it at all. Put a battery minder on it & leave it. If you have NOS tires you might want to put it up on jack stands if you will not drive it for a long time. Some of my Corvettes were not started for years & each one did fine when I got them out.
KEN

Allowing the suspension to droop for extended periods can damage the suspension bushings. The car should be stored at normal ride height, which means sitting on the tires. Check tire pressure every one to three months and restore to the maximum cold pressure placarded on the sidewall.

Tires will not be permanently damaged unless air pressure is allowed to fall to the point where the tire is flat or nearly so.

Minor flat spots will "round out" after the car is driven and the tires warm up. Tires, either bias ply or radial, with any nylon in them have more tendency to flat spot than rayon or polyester. I doubt if any repro bias plys are constructed from nylon, but most H and above speed-rated radials have a spiral wound nylon cap belt above the steel belts.

If you're paranoid about flat spots, roll the car about a foot every month or so.

Duke

[Michael J.]

Re: How long to allow a car to sit?

I doubt if any repro bias plys are constructed from nylon, but most H and above speed-rated radials have a spiral wound nylon cap belt above the steel belts.
Duke

Actually they do make them, I had a set of Firestone SuperSports Goldline 100% nylon bias ply tires for my '66 coupe. They were horrible at flat spotting, even after only sitting a few days. It took driving about 10 miles in warm temps to round them out. I would never buy them again, but they do receive hardly any deducts in flight judging.

[Duke W.]

Re: How long to allow a car to sit?

That's why the industry moved away from nylon late in the bias-ply era. Nylon is stronger than rayon and is more suitable for "severe useage", but there were too many customer complaints about "rough ride" which was caused by the temporary flat-spotting.

Duke