Storing a car for the winter?

I have a 78 Corvette that I have stored for the winter in an unheated garage in Massachusetts for 18 years.The only thing that I do to it is to put on a trickle battery charger that desulphates the battery.I got one from Northern Tool for about $50 and my battery has lasted more then 10 years.I have never used gas stabilizer and have never had a problem.Just leave it and it will be fine.I also use just straight antifreeze with no water.There will be no corrosion with no water.

All other answers so far are plain wrong or incomplete.

If - in the unlikely event - that the temperature does in fact get to "40 below" (which seems improbable) - then obviously YES, you need to set the antifreeze ratio to protect to that temperature.

DO NOT start the car "every week or so"!! Unless you plan on driving the car for AT LEAST an hour or so to fully bring the oil and all fluids to full operating temperature. Otherwise, water and acids will build up in the oil and cause corrosion and damage. Another problem is that the battery will discharge 1 to 2% a day. If the charge gets too low, it will freeze, and may even split open at that temperature. Remove it, put it on a trickle charger, or drive the car periodically - observing the above caveat to drive the vehicle for long enough.

No way. An unheated garage that is not connected to a house will not get much warmer than what it is outside. Maybe a degree or two. Since I know you love your car, what is the big deal with just draining off about 2-3 quarts of your anti-freeze out of your radiator and replacing it with straight undiluted antifreeze? The job will take about 20 minutes, should bring the protection level to about 35 - 40 below and could potentially save your engine block. 20 minutes of a little effort to save you thousands in repairs. Then in the spring just readjust the dilution ratio. Sounds like a no-brainer to me.

If your cooling system is only protected down to -25 below zero it means there is more water than antifreeze on the cooling system. A 50/50 mix will not freeze down to -37 below zero F. When was the last time that the cooling system was drained flushed and CLEANED?

Drain the radiator and engine block. Fill 65% of the total cooling system capacity with 100% Ford Antifreeze. Fill the remaining space with distilled water. This mixture will protect the cooling system down to -45 below zero F.

Your antifreeze is for those temps if you plan on using the car. It will be fine. If you don't think so, change it out for a colder type, also, you'll need to pour some fuel stabilizer into the tank, as fuel goes bad after a few weeks of non-use. Fuel stabilizers will help keep the fuel good for up to 3 months. But don't forget to start the car occasionally and also disconnect the battery to keep it from draining.

If the anti-freez is good to - 25,...............and the temp goes to - 40, ....you could have a problem,.

better get some FULL STRENGTH anti freez, ............... drain out some of the coolant and put in the anti freez and run to mix,................quart or half gallon should do it

HOW CAN PEOPLE SAY YOU'RE SAFE AT - 40.....WHEN YOU'RE anti-freez test says -25 ?..............read the question !!

yes, if it says that on the bottle, then that is what it is. It doesn't matter what the temp is outside, just in the garage. I know my garage is always a lot warmer than outside.

yes but just to be safe keep some antifreeze on hand

thats fine