storing car for 6 months... overinflate tire pressure??

[mannygmt2]

Hi all
well, i put my Z06 away as of Nov 1st.. getting ready for the winter...

My friend who is storing his Ferrari 360CS told me to increase the tire pressure to avoid flat spotting. He is putting his tire pressure to 50psi, and he recommended I do the same

any suggestions/comments, is that tire pressure sound right? My ride is on Firestone WideOvals.

[scotts]

I have gathered that newer tires are not as prone to flatspotting as much as some of the older ones.
But, in my research they suggested bumping the pressure to the max that it states on the sidewall.
My car is snoozing for the winter with 40lbs in its sneekers.
Be sure and fill it up with fresh gas and add some Stabil too.

[briann510]

Just go to your storage and roll the car forward or backward once a month to a different area of the tire. Ive had a car in storage for over a year and didnt notice any flat spotting at all, even without rolling some during that time.

[NYCHASM]

Originally Posted by mannygmt2

Hi all
well, i put my Z06 away as of Nov 1st.. getting ready for the winter...

My friend who is storing his Ferrari 360CS told me to increase the tire pressure to avoid flat spotting. He is putting his tire pressure to 50psi, and he recommended I do the same

any suggestions/comments, is that tire pressure sound right? My ride is on Firestone WideOvals.

Today's tires are not prone to flat-spotting. If you don't believe this to be true, the best thing you can do is place the car on jackstands and get all the weight off the tires. The second best thing is to move the car occasionally so that the same section of tire isn't always on the ground. Adding a few extra PSI won't hurt but I don't believe 50 PSI is necessary and may be detremental as well. If it were me, I'd inflate them properly and not worry about them.

Charlie

[Lawdogg]

Some of today's tires will flat spot. I had a set of Kumhos on a daily driver and they would flat spot overnight. It would take them the 5 miles of highway driving to be round after sitting as little as 8 hours. I would never let a car sit on those all winter. On the other hand, the Goodyear oems on the Z06 haven't flat spotted after winter storage. I do add some air and roll the car a foot every month.

[Z06neb]

To keep the battery up, I'd use a battery tender.

[vetteman1]

I have been storing a Corvette for the past 20 years and this is the method I have found to be the best for me.
1- Clean car inside and out.
2- Inflate tires to max listed on sidewall
3- Top off and add fuel stabilizer to the gas tank (I always add stabilizer then drive to the gas station to top off the tank. That way the stabilizer gets circulated through out the system)
4- Battery tender..(car alarm off)
5- Fresh oil change
6- Windows down about 1/2 inch
7- Car cover or cotton bed sheets over car
8- Then put it in a car bag with desiccant. (see photo)
Pull it out in the spring and it is in the same condition as when you put it away. No rust even on the rotors.

[MikeyB]

Do a search on the web for "tire cradle", you can use those to prevent flat spots.

[GASH]

I think it was here I heard about heavy duty truck mats folded in half for under tires, I have used them for 3 yrs with no flat spots,cheaper than wheel dollies.


GASH EB 02

[mannygmt2]

cool..thanks for all the tips.

[jrh009]

Originally Posted by briann510

Just go to your storage and roll the car forward or backward once a month to a different area of the tire. Ive had a car in storage for over a year and didnt notice any flat spotting at all, even without rolling some during that time.

I do the same thing, once a month roll it a few feet. Absolutely no problems with flat spotting, leave the pressure alone no need to worry.

[Z06 L GO]

Originally Posted by mannygmt2

Hi all
well, i put my Z06 away as of Nov 1st.. getting ready for the winter...

My friend who is storing his Ferrari 360CS told me to increase the tire pressure to avoid flat spotting. He is putting his tire pressure to 50psi, and he recommended I do the same

any suggestions/comments, is that tire pressure sound right? My ride is on Firestone WideOvals.

I have over inflated tires during months of storage for years and years without any problems. There are probably many solutions but this one is very easy and doesn't cost anything.

[SMFCPACFP]

Originally Posted by vetteman1

I have been storing a Corvette for the past 20 years and this is the method I have found to be the best for me.
1- Clean car inside and out.
2- Inflate tires to max listed on sidewall
3- Top off and add fuel stabilizer to the gas tank (I always add stabilizer then drive to the gas station to top off the tank. That way the stabilizer gets circulated through out the system)
4- Battery tender..(car alarm off)
5- Fresh oil change
6- Windows down about 1/2 inch
7- Car cover or cotton bed sheets over car
8- Then put it in a car bag with desiccant. (see photo)
Pull it out in the spring and it is in the same condition as when you put it away. No rust even on the rotors.

I think this is a good list. I don't do 5., 6. and 8, especially 6. 1/2 inch is sufficient to have a mouse crawl in the car. I also don't overinflate my tires. I have never had a problem and I must store mine from mid to late November to mid April.

I would suggest one additional thing, bring your car to normal operating temperature just before you store it for the winter, and don't start it again until you are ready for regular driving. This should get the sulfuric acid out of the crankcase and the moisture out of the exhaust system.

[carpe dm]

Do it. I used to store mine for six months when we lived in MI, and did this without a problem.