I live in northern Ohio where the winters can become somewhat cold. This will be the first winter that I have had to consider where to store a new Viper. So far this year, it has been kept in an airplane hangar which has no source of heat. This is fine for summer. Thoughts have gravitated toward finding someplace that is heated for the winter. Has anyone noticed any adverse affects from keeping a Viper in a protected, but cold environment? Is the paint on the plastic affected? I am also concerned about deterioration of the rubber components. Rubbers which undergo strain induced crystallization will also crystallize when stored at a low temperature approaching the glass transition temperature. Any thoughts/experiences would be appreciated. Thank you.
cold storage
- Thread starter Skyhawk
- Start date
ViperGTS
Enthusiast
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- Jul 15, 2001
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hmmm - had mine in a garage up to now - not heated - some times -20° Centigrade (!) - no probs so far - keep it dry like in a PERMABAG (R) and use a battery charger.
CHECK:
-coolant
-pressure in tires
-change oil in spring
-keep windows 3 mm open (smell)
-move the car every few weeks some yards back and forth and let the engine warm up
CHECK:
-coolant
-pressure in tires
-change oil in spring
-keep windows 3 mm open (smell)
-move the car every few weeks some yards back and forth and let the engine warm up
Y2KACR
VCA Member
I live in Iowa and have kept our 95 RT/10 and 2000 ACR in an unheated garage with no obvious problems (as of yet, anyway) since new. I keep the tank full of gas and check the air in the tires. I try to drive them on clear days once or twice a month in the winter and the only thing I've noticed is that the tires don't have much traction when the temperature is near or below 0. I drive the car cautiously when I first start out to let it warm-up.
RT/ED
Enthusiast
Cold Storage in Michigan. I place a rubber floor mat underneath the car to keep the moisture down. Carpet squares over rubber mats under the tires in addition to raising the air pressure in the tires to 40 psi to reduce flat spotting. Fill the tank with gas. I drive the car whenever there is a clear and dry day for at least 30 minutes to fully warm up the drive train. I feel the trade off of not driving the car in cold weather vs. running the car to lubricate and keep everything moving is better than letting the car sit for several months. CAUTION: Cold tires and Cold days requires easy throttling! 
SNAKOIL VA
Enthusiast
Also:
Keep the gas tank full to reduce the chance of condensation. Add some fuel stabilizer to the tank. Put the battery on a float charger. Make sure you leave the parking brake off. Cover it with a breathable cover. Your done.
Keep the gas tank full to reduce the chance of condensation. Add some fuel stabilizer to the tank. Put the battery on a float charger. Make sure you leave the parking brake off. Cover it with a breathable cover. Your done.
Gerald Levin
Viper Owner
What is the reasoning behind leaving the parking brake off?
SNAKOIL VA
Enthusiast
The rotors have a tendency to get some light rust on them and can bind to the brake pads. It also keeps you brake line from stretching over the winter.
