Is it bad to leave the camaro out in the winter - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

colej97 · 12-10-2017, 12:47 AM

Hey guys,
It just started snowing and I was wondering if it's okay to leave the car out side the whole winter. I know everyone says garage it but I can't, not enough room. So what do you guys do with your cars when it snows??
Thanks guys

Splat · 12-10-2017, 01:11 AM

Car cover.

https://www.empirecovers.com/car-cov...0aAp3SEALw_wcB

asand1 · 12-10-2017, 03:18 AM

Drive it. Mine is my only vehicle.

motorhead · 12-10-2017, 03:24 AM

Its a car, no diffent than any other car sitting out. Is it ideal? No. Will it hurt it? Most likely not.

Like others have said, get a high quality outdoor rated cover if you bothers you. I would be more worried about rodents than snow if it were me.

DonM · 12-10-2017, 04:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asand1

Drive it. Mine is my only vehicle.

While my wife's Explorer is available to me in case of really bad weather, my Camaro is also my only car and my DD all year around so other than being in the garage overnight (unheated/no electric) it is outside the rest of the time being driven.

Quote:

Originally Posted by motorhead

Its a car, no diffent than any other car sitting out. Is it ideal? No. Will it hurt it? Most likely not.

Like others have said, get a high quality outdoor rated cover if you bothers you. I would be more worried about rodents than snow if it were me.

Agree.

Theloots · 12-10-2017, 06:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by motorhead

Its a car, no diffent than any other car sitting out. Is it ideal? No. Will it hurt it? Most likely not.

Like others have said, get a high quality outdoor rated cover if you bothers you. I would be more worried about rodents than snow if it were me.

So true !!! ... Just enjoy it .... when it wears ... get another one ; ).

That' my plan !

Sheriff Justice · 12-10-2017, 10:43 AM

Prep in the fall is key for winter vehicle use or storage. A good paint sealant topped with a paste wax would protect until spring (Nov - April). It does not matter if you drive it daily or sit outside in hibernation. It’s cold to do it yourself now, I would pay a detail shop for an exterior polish + wax (approx $135). Get a car cover and you will be good.

I can recommend a fantastic shop on the south shore, PM me if interested.

Joe M 2012 2SS · 12-10-2017, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sheriff Justice

Prep in the fall is key for winter vehicle use or storage. A good paint sealant topped with a paste wax would protect until spring (Nov - April). It does not matter if you drive it daily or sit outside in hibernation. It’s cold to do it yourself now, I would pay a detail shop for an exterior polish + wax (approx $135). Get a car cover and you will be good.

I can recommend a fantastic shop on the south shore, PM me if interested.

I've never heard of a detail shop anywhere, that will do a strip wash, clay, 1 step polish, and wax for $135.

Traditional paste wax (all natural ingredients) on a non-garaged car for winter protection is a waste of time. Will last 1-2 months.

In the type of winter weather you have in that area, if I was going to use a wax, I'd use Collinite 845, it's not really a wax though, more of a sealant.

Sheriff Justice · 12-10-2017, 07:47 PM

Detail shop does not strip old wax or put paste on. They do everything below (wash, clay, machine polish and sealant). Great exterior work for $130 ($250 both inside and out). Collinite is a fantastic product. My friend lives by the NY headquarters.

STAGE 2 EXTERIOR
• Hand Wash
• Clean Tires, Rims & White Walls
• 4 Step Process:
Clay Bar to Remove: Tar, Road Pitch & Insects
Apply Premium Compound to remove surface scratches and oxidation
Apply Premium Machine Polish to Restore Gloss and Condition Paint
Apply Premium Wax For Protection & Durability
(Provides protection for 2 to 3 months)
• Clean & Condition All Tires, Vinyl & Rubber
• Clean Windows Inside & Out

beflat10r · 12-10-2017, 11:59 PM

Comforting post. First snow here. No garage. No car cover ( yet ).
It's not my DD. I wish it could be but I wouldn't take it to everywhere I have to go anyway.
I got this car to drive it, not to keep it as a collector car. For fun. Seeing it in my driveway with snow on it was depressing though. Snow and winter in general are not enjoyable for me.

lbls1 · 12-11-2017, 08:20 AM

Get yourself a very good all weather, breathable car cover. You will be very glad that you did. The car should be fine as long as you limit how much you drive it in the snow and salt roads.

If your car is new or has an exceptionally clean underbody, I'd suggest looking to have the car undercoated if you intend to drive it in the winter or wet weather. I used to (still do) make it a policy to undercoat every new car I would buy. I made an exception with the ZL1 due to the nature of its use; It may never see wet weather and the car hibernates before the winter and bad weather season.

Good luck.

TheFlyingBananaSS · 12-11-2017, 08:22 PM

Mine sits under a cover while I drive the winter ride.

jrhagen · 12-12-2017, 10:26 AM

If it is bare metal, it might be an issue. If it is painted, not so much.

denboy1 · 12-12-2017, 10:36 AM

Don't forget the Irish Spring. Mice seem to hate it.

12-10-2017, 12:47 AM	#1
colej97 Drives: 2010 camaro LT1 RS Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: massachusettss Posts: 36	Is it bad to leave the camaro out in the winter Hey guys, It just started snowing and I was wondering if it's okay to leave the car out side the whole winter. I know everyone says garage it but I can't, not enough room. So what do you guys do with your cars when it snows?? Thanks guys

12-10-2017, 01:11 AM	#2
Splat Drives: 2012 1SS M6 IOM Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: New Rochelle New York Posts: 1,428 View My Garage	Car cover. https://www.empirecovers.com/car-cov...0aAp3SEALw_wcB __________________ 2012 1SS Camaro LS3 Inferno Orange Mods: LSA Supercharger, 2.55 Pulley, Custom Boost Cam, ARH LTH 1 7/8, HFC, 3' Magnaflow Exhaust, JLT CAI, Elite CC V2, BO White Stage 2 TB, GM 3.91 Gears, DSS CF Driveshaft, BMR Bushing Kit.... . Tuned by JTM Motorsports 540 Hp 550Tq on 9PSI Axles, Monster Clutch, Hotchkis TVS Track Pack kit.......For 2018.

12-10-2017, 10:43 AM	#7
Sheriff Justice If your not 1st your last Drives: 2014 Camaro 2SS / RS Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 248	Prep in the fall is key for winter vehicle use or storage. A good paint sealant topped with a paste wax would protect until spring (Nov - April). It does not matter if you drive it daily or sit outside in hibernation. It’s cold to do it yourself now, I would pay a detail shop for an exterior polish + wax (approx $135). Get a car cover and you will be good. I can recommend a fantastic shop on the south shore, PM me if interested. __________________ 2014 Camaro 2SS / RS ~ Blue Ray Metallic w/ Silver Rally Stripes ~ V8 6.2L ~ Blue & Black 2-tone leather interior accent trim package ~ Custom decals from Emblem Pros

12-10-2017, 07:47 PM	#9
Sheriff Justice If your not 1st your last Drives: 2014 Camaro 2SS / RS Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 248	Detail shop does not strip old wax or put paste on. They do everything below (wash, clay, machine polish and sealant). Great exterior work for $130 ($250 both inside and out). Collinite is a fantastic product. My friend lives by the NY headquarters. STAGE 2 EXTERIOR • Hand Wash • Clean Tires, Rims & White Walls • 4 Step Process: Clay Bar to Remove: Tar, Road Pitch & Insects Apply Premium Compound to remove surface scratches and oxidation Apply Premium Machine Polish to Restore Gloss and Condition Paint Apply Premium Wax For Protection & Durability (Provides protection for 2 to 3 months) • Clean & Condition All Tires, Vinyl & Rubber • Clean Windows Inside & Out __________________ 2014 Camaro 2SS / RS ~ Blue Ray Metallic w/ Silver Rally Stripes ~ V8 6.2L ~ Blue & Black 2-tone leather interior accent trim package ~ Custom decals from Emblem Pros

12-11-2017, 08:20 AM	#11
lbls1 Drives: 2002 Camaro SS SOM; 2015 Malibu LTZ Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Queens, NY Posts: 4,021	Get yourself a very good all weather, breathable car cover. You will be very glad that you did. The car should be fine as long as you limit how much you drive it in the snow and salt roads. If your car is new or has an exceptionally clean underbody, I'd suggest looking to have the car undercoated if you intend to drive it in the winter or wet weather. I used to (still do) make it a policy to undercoat every new car I would buy. I made an exception with the ZL1 due to the nature of its use; It may never see wet weather and the car hibernates before the winter and bad weather season. Good luck. __________________ '02 CAMARO SS SOM; 5.7L LS1/FLS6B '08 TBSS AWD Black Granite Metallic '15 Malibu LTZ 2LZ Turbo *'14 CAMARO ZL1 Blue Ray Metallic*

12-10-2017, 03:18 AM	#3
asand1 Drives: 2015 V6 6MT Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Oregon Coast Posts: 46	Drive it. Mine is my only vehicle.

12-10-2017, 03:24 AM	#4
motorhead Drives: Love the one you're with Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Downtown Charlie Brown Posts: 11,850	Its a car, no diffent than any other car sitting out. Is it ideal? No. Will it hurt it? Most likely not. Like others have said, get a high quality outdoor rated cover if you bothers you. I would be more worried about rodents than snow if it were me.

12-10-2017, 11:59 PM	#10
beflat10r Drives: 2017 2LT, 2018 Jeep Wrangler JKU Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: springfield Pa Posts: 56 View My Garage	Comforting post. First snow here. No garage. No car cover ( yet ). It's not my DD. I wish it could be but I wouldn't take it to everywhere I have to go anyway. I got this car to drive it, not to keep it as a collector car. For fun. Seeing it in my driveway with snow on it was depressing though. Snow and winter in general are not enjoyable for me.

12-11-2017, 08:22 PM	#12
TheFlyingBananaSS Evil Genius of Chevrolet Drives: 2017 Z06, 2019 XTS, 2013 SS Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: New York Posts: 3,260	Mine sits under a cover while I drive the winter ride. __________________ GPI SS2 VVT cam, ECS Novi 1500 supercharger, Corsa Extreme, Detroit Speed and BMR suspension, Circle D triple disc, Melling oil pump, LS2 chain tensioner, ATI 10% UD, DSX E85 kit, High Energy coils, BTR springs, LS2 Lifter trays, Titanium retainers, hardened push rods, FIC 1000 injectors, ZL1 pump, Mighty Mouse catch can, AEM gauges, Tial BOV, Richmond 3.91 gears, Custom gauge bezels, Speed Engineering headers, Stainless Works HF cats, DSX Aux pump, 710rwhp on E85.

12-12-2017, 10:26 AM	#13
jrhagen Banned Drives: Camaro Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: USA Posts: 2,701	If it is bare metal, it might be an issue. If it is painted, not so much.

12-12-2017, 10:36 AM	#14
denboy1 Drives: 2014 2ss Convertible Join Date: May 2017 Location: Chelsea, MI Posts: 58 View My Garage	Don't forget the Irish Spring. Mice seem to hate it.