| Supporting Vendors |  Dealers
| Parts / Accessories
|
 | 
10-30-2011, 06:26 PM
|
#1 | | Pit Crew
Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: U.S.A.
Posts: 275
My XLR/V(s):
2004 Satin Nickel XLR (sold) / 2006 Lt Platinum XLR |  Winter storage questions
I'm putting the XLR in climate controlled storage for the winter. I'll wax it and top off the fluids, but have a couple of questions.
Should I use a gas additive? If yes, which is best.
I don't think I will have an electrical outlet for a battery tender, so what are my other options for the battery being ready, come March?
Thanks in advance,
Casey
| |
|  | |
10-30-2011, 08:50 PM
|
#2 | | Pit Crew
Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Hamilton Ontario Canada
Posts: 232
My XLR/V(s):
2009 XLR Crystal Red Metalic | 
Always use a gas stabalizer  when you store ANY gas driven vehicle or equipment including lawnmowers, snowblowers etc. You add it in the tank at final fill up and drive it home so it treats & protects the entire fuel delivery system.
As for the battery, figure out how to get a power cord and hook up a Battery Tender! Before we had those we would disconnect the battery on all of our classic cars and store it in a heated storage area. The only thing we had to reset was the analog clock! 
BUT as far as the XLR and its computers etc, if you leave the car without a battery tender you will have a dead battery in the spring (total draining is not good for the battery and may need to be replaced) and everything will have to be reset. If you disconnect the battery it will likely need a top up but I believe you will have to reset everything too!
CADILLAC TECH, we need your help here! Is there any difference to the cars systems when a battery goes dead over time VS being disconnected? How many things need to be reset and is that something that needs to be done by a dealership?
__________________ Sandy  You can't be a car collector with only one car! | |
| | |
10-30-2011, 09:37 PM
|
#3 | | Pit Crew
Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: N. KY
Posts: 212
My XLR/V(s):
2008 Crystal Claret XLR-V |
I prefer SeaFoam as a fuel stabilizer/additive. Be very careful with Sta-bil and look for flakes in the bottle first. Do not use it if you see any flakes.
I have heard that some over inflate tires to prevent flat spotting. I am going to put mine up on blocks to get the tires off the floor.
If there is absolutely no way to put a battery tender on with the battery (extension cord?) then remove the battery and keep it on one in a warm spot.
Call XM radio and put a hold on your subscription, if you have one.
Cover with a good car cover and Think Spring.
| |
| | |
10-31-2011, 08:01 AM
|
#4 | | Pit Crew
Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: U.S.A.
Posts: 275
My XLR/V(s):
2004 Satin Nickel XLR (sold) / 2006 Lt Platinum XLR |
Quote:
Originally Posted by Phrede  I prefer SeaFoam as a fuel stabilizer/additive. Be very careful with Sta-bil and look for flakes in the bottle first. Do not use it if you see any flakes.
I have heard that some over inflate tires to prevent flat spotting. I am going to put mine up on blocks to get the tires off the floor.
If there is absolutely no way to put a battery tender on with the battery (extension cord?) then remove the battery and keep it on one in a warm spot.
Call XM radio and put a hold on your subscription, if you have one.
Cover with a good car cover |
Great info!!
Thanks!!
Casey
| |
| | |
10-31-2011, 09:20 AM
|
#5 | | Site Administrator
Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NH
Posts: 1,199
My XLR/V(s):
Don't have one yet! |
Hi Casey,
I wrote an article for storing Corvettes over at our sister site - the Corvette Action Center. The same information can apply to most cars - including the Cadillac XLR.
I've been meaning to add a copy of the article here on the XLR Net, but just haven't gotten a chance to. Here's the link to the article on the CAC: Corvette Action Center | Tech Center | Practical Corvette Care 101 | Corvette Long-Term / Winter Storage | |
| | |
10-31-2011, 03:48 PM
|
#6 | | Pit Crew
Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: U.S.A.
Posts: 275
My XLR/V(s):
2004 Satin Nickel XLR (sold) / 2006 Lt Platinum XLR |
Thanks for all the info.
I found a different storage company that has electric available. It's getting detailed this weekend and then to bed it goes...
When searching car covers, the Cadillac version is $350 and covers on EBay run from $45 to $400, depending on the ply and materials. Any suggestion on these?
I also found a large price difference in battery tenders. Any suggestions on brand and type?
| |
| | |
10-31-2011, 04:14 PM
|
#7 | | Pit Crew
Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Tarheel State
Posts: 343
My XLR/V(s):
2005 XLR | 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Comfortzone
When searching car covers, the Cadillac version is $350 and covers on EBay run from $45 to $400, depending on the ply and materials. Any suggestion on these?
I also found a large price difference in battery tenders. Any suggestions on brand and type?
|
I've had good results with DelTran Battery Tenders. Quite a few sellers on eBay that sell them at good prices with free shipping. I recently bought another one at a price less than on sale at the local K-Mart and that included free shipping. New MAINTAINER Battery Tender Jr Junior 12 Volt Car Charger New | eBay
This seller shipped quickly and has several models, though I believe that this unit would be sufficient for maintaining a well-charged battery.
I also have purchased several covers from these guys, including one for my XLR. Prices are reasonable and I was pleased with the quality for the price. They are having a Halloween sale right now. Halloween Special
Best wishes for safe and secure storage!
__________________ No, it's NOT my Mid-Life Crisis car!  That's what Corvettes are for!  | |
| | |
10-31-2011, 04:50 PM
|
#8 | | Pit Crew
Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: U.S.A.
Posts: 275
My XLR/V(s):
2004 Satin Nickel XLR (sold) / 2006 Lt Platinum XLR |
Quote:
Originally Posted by Crimson Pearl | I just ordered from both places!! Thank you for the tips!!
Casey
| |
| | |
11-14-2011, 06:14 PM
|
#9 | | Pit Crew
Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: N. KY
Posts: 212
My XLR/V(s):
2008 Crystal Claret XLR-V |
Quote:
Originally Posted by Crimson Pearl I've had good results with DelTran Battery Tenders. Quite a few sellers on eBay that sell them at good prices with free shipping. I recently bought another one at a price less than on sale at the local K-Mart and that included free shipping. New MAINTAINER Battery Tender Jr Junior 12 Volt Car Charger New | eBay
This seller shipped quickly and has several models, though I believe that this unit would be sufficient for maintaining a well-charged battery.
I also have purchased several covers from these guys, including one for my XLR. Prices are reasonable and I was pleased with the quality for the price. They are having a Halloween sale right now. Halloween Special
Best wishes for safe and secure storage! | I have to disagree about Carscover.com. I am very disappointed with my experience.
I received my cover and found that it does not cover the bottom 6" of the car. After a week of multiple unreturned emails and phone calls I get told that I need a custom fit cover, which is more money, and that if my cover is not "resellable" I will be charged 20% restocking. Of course, I had to open the package to find out it would not fit. Multiple times I am told that the cover fits my car, just not like how I want. Who wants a cover that does not cover the entire car?
I will be shipping it back tomorrow, at my expense, and looking for a different vendor. An expensive lesson.
| |
| | |
11-14-2011, 06:19 PM
|
#10 | | Pit Crew
Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Tarheel State
Posts: 343
My XLR/V(s):
2005 XLR |
Quote:
Originally Posted by Comfortzone I just ordered from both places!! Thank you for the tips!!
Casey |
Did these work out OK for you?
__________________ No, it's NOT my Mid-Life Crisis car! That's what Corvettes are for! | |
| | |
11-14-2011, 06:41 PM
|
#11 | | Pit Crew
Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: U.S.A.
Posts: 275
My XLR/V(s):
2004 Satin Nickel XLR (sold) / 2006 Lt Platinum XLR |
Quote:
Originally Posted by Crimson Pearl Did these work out OK for you? | They are both still in their boxes, in the trunk. I dropped the car off at my detail guys house and he still has it. He is doing a very detailed detail!! I have him darkening all the rubber around the windows, touching up the black grille, deep cleaning and detailing, touching up any rock chips, etc...
I should get it back this week and put it in storage..
| |
| | |
11-25-2011, 09:59 AM
|
#12 | | Pit Crew
Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: U.S.A.
Posts: 275
My XLR/V(s):
2004 Satin Nickel XLR (sold) / 2006 Lt Platinum XLR |
I got it detailed, debadged, new battery, covered, tendered and put away for the Winter... It is supposed to start snowing on Monday...
Last edited by Comfortzone; 11-26-2011 at 12:30 PM.
| |
| | |
11-26-2011, 10:32 AM
|
#13 | | Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 5
My XLR/V(s):
1992 Pearl White Allante |
Quote:
Originally Posted by Comfortzone I got it debaged and put away for the Winter... It is supposed to start snowing on Monday... | Dumb question, but what is "debaged," and why did you do it?
__________________
Dave Yaros - Car Collector Chronicles - a GDYNets monthly, no ads, e-newsletter focusing on the nuts & bolts of classic car ownership Car Collector Chronicles - THE FORUM - A place on the internet to interact with fellow car collectors Saved 62 Our Oldsmobile web site The Gray Lady - Our 1955 Cadillac Coupé deVille web site Dave's Den a web site featuring the "Steel City of Gary, Indiana, U.S. Steel-Gary Works, the 210" Plate Mill, the USMC, and the M14 assault rifle
| |
| | |
11-26-2011, 12:33 PM
|
#14 | | Pit Crew
Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: U.S.A.
Posts: 275
My XLR/V(s):
2004 Satin Nickel XLR (sold) / 2006 Lt Platinum XLR |
Quote:
Originally Posted by D. Yaros Dumb question, but what is "debaged," and why did you do it? | Debadged..... I left out the "d"... Spell check doesn't seem to like it any way I spell it..
| |
| | | Thread Tools | | | | Display Modes |  Linear Mode | 
Posting Rules
| You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts
HTML code is On
| | | |
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:04 AM.
|
