Wake Up Sleepy Z!

[Nifty Fifty]

Well its now time to bring my Z out from its winter hibernation, however I'm a little worried on the following basis:
In September when I put him to bed in the car port I used to turn it over every other weekend and let it run for a while. I then got a nice cover and tucked it in nice and cosy, and slowly the weeks slipped by without doing the fortnightly ritual. My last attempt was the end of November only to find I had the dreaded flat battery and its been there ever since, so I have the dilemma this weekend after taxing the Z tomorrow do I put the battery on charge OR buy a new one for piece of mind and are there any other things to look out for as the car has not started or turned over for nearly 6 months???

Andy

 

[t-tony]

My boss has just had the same dilemma with his MX5 Andy. I loaned him my trickle charger and after 2 days of slow charge it fired straight up with no issues as should your car. Sensible checks, oil and water.

Tony.

 

[andyglym]

You could charge the battery but for piece of mind I'd go new, especially after that length of time. Never laid a car up for that long but the Z3 manual just says recharge or replace battery and carry out Inspection 1.

Andy

 

[Nifty Fifty]

Thanks Tony / Andy

I was planning on the charge option just to get enough to turn it over and buy a new battery next week especially as I have an Andrew Page next door to the office. I was more concerned if anything would be seized!!
It will need a basic service in the summer any way.
I will be turning the key with gritted teeth and my eyes shut

 

[Nodzed]

Definitely give the battery a chance first on a trickle.

 

[littlefeller]

may as well charge it first, its free.

 

[Hellrotruss]

Charge battery first to save forking out for new, it may well be fine. Go careful on the brakes the first few applications and give all the fluid levels a check as well as check tyre pressures and enjoy driving it! Imo if the car was in good mechanical condition when stored for winter there shouldn't be any problems with it after sitting a while. I personally wouldn't be worried about the oil, it's only sat there just as if it was sat on the shelf in halfords ( albeit not air tight).

 

[Shelly]

Yeah another Z back on the roads
Enjoy

 

[Low Rider]

I wasted money on a new battery booster as I'm unable to trickle charge when sorn.
What i should have done and then did was buy a new battery.
After all how old is your current battery ?
Buy new get rid of the problem. Sorted.

 

[bertiejaffa]

I wasted money on a new battery booster as I'm unable to trickle charge when sorn.
What i should have done and then did was buy a new battery.
After all how old is your current battery ?
Buy new get rid of the problem. Sorted.

Assuming by SORN you mean your car will not be on the road and somewhere else - then you do know that the battery will detatch from the car Low Rider...??

 

[oldcarman]

My car has been sitting with a dead battery since Nov. and I'll take it out and charge it slowly for a few days to make sure it's at or near full power before attempting to start the car. It's important to charge it past the point of being able to turn over the starter as other components require extra power after sitting and may not function properly with low battery charge. Did the same last year without any problems whatsoever! Good luck!! JIM

 

[EnthuZiaZT]

Charge battery first to save forking out for new, it may well be fine. Go careful on the brakes the first few applications and give all the fluid levels a check as well as check tyre pressures and enjoy driving it! Imo if the car was in good mechanical condition when stored for winter there shouldn't be any problems with it after sitting a while. I personally wouldn't be worried about the oil, it's only sat there just as if it was sat on the shelf in halfords ( albeit not air tight).

With regard to Oil and winter storage, I too leave our Zed for long periods over winter. At the start of every year I have the oil changed whether it needs a service or not. I do this on the basis that oil left in engines for any length of time will separate and take on a little moisture, and therefore won't protect your engine as well. Cars that are driven 365 days a year have fewer problems than those left sitting around.

Mike

 

[Eddie Zedder]

Once the battery is charged & fluid levels checked, before driving make sure you have plenty of air in your tyres. Once you are on the road get off to the petrol station, top up with super unleaded and then go for a nice long drive and enjoy.