Getting ready for winter coming

Carl Brown

Carl Brown

Zorg Guru (I)
British Zeds
Joined
Jun 15, 2018
Points
95
Location
Clifton village Rotherham
Having never owned a car that will need storing over the winter months I’m looking for a little advice on what I should do and how I should prepare the car.
If anyone has any advice feel free to point me in the right direction.
My worries are will it just sit and rot what protection should I give it. Will it start after winter ? Should I disconnect the battery ? All that type of stuff.
 
Mine stays outside all year round in the last 3 years it hasn't made no difference regards rusting.mine doesn't have any not bad for a 21 years old.
Just a good coat of wax and roof proofed does the job.
If not going to use it use a battery cut off.
Best to give it a run now and then I use mind twice a week keeps things ticking over ok.
 
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Opinions on this will vary and it depends on if you have a dry garage available.
My routine is to inflate tyres to 40 psi, connect trickle charger and put moisture absorber in the passenge compartment (old sock filled with rice, in plastic box). I keep fuel tank about a quarter full and never start the engine whilst in storage.
Some people change engine oil before they store. Personally I change oil each 5000 miles and don’t feel the need to. I put the car in gear and make sure the handbrake is off.
If not done previously check when coolant was changed and make sure anti freeze level is good for conditions where you live (we saw -10deg C this year).
Previous years I have used a breathable dust cover over the car but noticed that condendation formed on the cold body as the weather warmed up, so last year I didn't cover it. It stayed dry but got a bit dusty.
For restarting after the winter. Check fluid levels first then I pull the fuses to stop the engine from firing up, then crank it for a minute or so until the oil light goes out, put fuses back in and start the engine. Tyre pressures need adjusting for road use and drive braking gently for 10 miles or so to get a fresh surface on the brake discs.
 
Carl Brown said:
Having never owned a car that will need storing over the winter months I’m looking for a little advice on what I should do and how I should prepare the car.
If anyone has any advice feel free to point me in the right direction.
My worries are will it just sit and rot what protection should I give it. Will it start after winter ? Should I disconnect the battery ? All that type of stuff.
Click to expand...
Have you bought a British/Italian roadster :)

If it’s not in a garage personally I would use it on the nice days, not just leave it standing outside.
 
There's a section in the handbook that deals specifically with this. Agree with the above other than I'm sure the handbook states to fill to the brim with fuel to prevent condensation. Moisture absorbers are most important, as stated previously, as you'd be surprised how much they collect. If able to, crank your windows down a cm to allow air to circulate.
 
Andy McDonnell said:
There's a section in the handbook that deals specifically with this. Agree with the above other than I'm sure the handbook states to fill to the brim with fuel to prevent condensation. Moisture absorbers are most important, as stated previously, as you'd be surprised how much they collect. If able to, crank your windows down a cm to allow air to circulate.
Click to expand...
Cheers Andy
 
roadvoyager1 said:
Opinions on this will vary and it depends on if you have a dry garage available.
My routine is to inflate tyres to 40 psi, connect trickle charger and put moisture absorber in the passenge compartment (old sock filled with rice, in plastic box). I keep fuel tank about a quarter full and never start the engine whilst in storage.
Some people change engine oil before they store. Personally I change oil each 5000 miles and don’t feel the need to. I put the car in gear and make sure the handbrake is off.
If not done previously check when coolant was changed and make sure anti freeze level is good for conditions where you live (we saw -10deg C this year).
Previous years I have used a breathable dust cover over the car but noticed that condendation formed on the cold body as the weather warmed up, so last year I didn't cover it. It stayed dry but got a bit dusty.
For restarting after the winter. Check fluid levels first then I pull the fuses to stop the engine from firing up, then crank it for a minute or so until the oil light goes out, put fuses back in and start the engine. Tyre pressures need adjusting for road use and drive braking gently for 10 miles or so to get a fresh surface on the brake discs.
Click to expand...
Cheers fella much appreciated
 
Tracy Dee said:
Mine stays outside all year round in the last 3 years it hasn't made no difference regards rusting.mine doesn't have any not bad for a 21 years old.
Just a good coat of wax and roof proofed does the job.
If not going to use it use a battery cut off.
Best to give it a run now and then I use mind twice a week keeps things ticking over ok.
Click to expand...
Thank you what do you use to proof the top ?
 
I just use mine all year around, no issues.:)
 
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