Winter Hibernation

[N4LLY]

My first winter hibernation.

All tips and tricks welcome. Battery care for eg. or just expect to get a new one come the new season etc.

Have plenty of off road hard standing and for a start have ordered a half cover for the roof.
Would it also we worth getting a full cover ?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281616476083?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

Thanks in advance.

 

[Shelly]

Good luck with your 1st hibernation
It's my 1st hibernation time too
But with my tortoise
Scary time ( next week )

 

[Antm72]

A good fitting full cover is good but which ever one you use the fit is important and a very clean car as any wind causes them to rub and damage paint.
If electric is on hand a smart charger connected in the boot will keep the battery in good condition....

 

[Grumps]

I just take the positive battery terminal off and forget about it. Go back in March and it has always started first time. I have a carport but but no longer use a cover as it did start to rub the paint. If your happy to pay out good money for one I think you should be OK. I was talking to @Bozzy about his and he's very happy with it.

 

[Bozzy]

I just take the positive battery terminal off and forget about it. Go back in March and it has always started first time. I have a carport but but no longer use a cover as it did start to rub the paint. If your happy to pay out good money for one I think you should be OK. I was talking to @Bozzy about his and he's very happy with it.

Yes I am very happy with my outdoor covers,got a half cover made by Cabrio shield (I think) and a full cover but can't remember the make,It's multi layered and breathable,not cheap though at £130 But the alternative is leaving my zed open to the elements as I don't have a garage\car port.

Steve

 

[Gundun]

I'll tell you what I'll do:

1. Inflate tyres up to 3 bar (43psi)
2. Hook up a battery charger: I have the CTEK mxs 5.0 with a very convenient quick plugin cable (so I don't have to fiddle with clamps and be afraid of shorts)
3. Get yourself a nice breathable cover, remove aerial before putting it on
4. Once covered, leave a the windows a few mm down to help ventilation (gets moist out, so you don't get mold in the car overtime) and don't keep the rubber window seals compressed for a long time eventually deforming them.

 

[Alan W]

My winter storage schedule:

Clean car

Flush and drain engine oil, add new oil and fit new oil filter (that way there are no nasties left in the engine)

Apply gummi phledge to all the roof seals

Apply leather cleaner and conditioner to seats

Keep windows closed but put a caravan condensation trap thing in passenger footwell

Connect a very low charge trickle charger to battery and cover car with an indoor breathable full cover

Start car every couple of months and run until fully warmed up (keeps fuel pump working) and in my case I pull the car out of garage into street, turn it around and put it back which rotates the tyres

I also have a list of little jobs which I will do if there are any nice dry days

Then just look forward to the first sunny days of spring!

 

[Tracy Dee]

For any lenght of time using a car over outside use a soft fleece cover first the a second outdoor cover over the top to avoid paint marking.
Mine will be used 2 or 3 times a week so a cover is a pain getting on and off it will spend as always the winter outside in the street.

 

[mwpe]

My winter schedule: 1 Give the car a good clean and polish, 2 get out and drive it.

 

[DavidM]

Keep driving while the roads are dry! I'm out in mine tomorrow!

 

[5harp3y]

My winter schedule: 1 Give the car a good clean and polish, 2 get out and drive it.

This!

Just drive them instead, much more fun!

 

[Gundun]

Good luck with your 1st hibernation
It's my 1st hibernation time too
But with my tortoise
Scary time ( next week )

Not knowing much about tortoises I am really curious on how this works out...does she know she's supposed to go to bed next week or...did she notify that to you in advance so you can prepare yourself if you don't see her around for a while...will you just leave her somewhere nice & cozy hoping she will get the message and just go to sleep...?

 

[Low Rider]

This is what I use
1 in the boot OFS well and
1 in the map holder
Is way if the car needs to be moved neither of them will spill over and at 69p each you can throw them away once they've done the job

 

[N4LLY]

Thanks guys and gals, getting the idea/mental picture of what's going to be required.

Have a good spot to park it, well sheltered from wind.
No electric supply though for a trickle charge to battery.

Would like to think that i would keep taking out on dry crisp days, but once moth balled i
fear i might get lazy and leave standing.

So if i prep by removing battery, a good half and full cover, dehumidifiers for cabin and boot.
A good heavy duty charger/jump starter and tyre infiltrator.

It should not be too difficult to take out every other week or so, or a worry if i leave a few month's.

Most excellent input, thanks again.

 

[N4LLY]

Oh, the winter wagon, 120i sport, sailed through MOT today. Most excellent !

 

[g8jka]

Fit hardtop and winter wheels and keep it on the road hardtop comes off on the nice days though.

Only because its my only car, if I had another run around I would probably use that but I'd still want to use the zed on nice days.

 

[Devon Z]

Mines sorn'd, not much prep, take the 18" off as I'm repolishing them over the winter got original 17"s for her to stand on, release the hood and drop the windows to take pressure off the seals, two dovet's then a car cover.

If I can make enough room in my garage I may put her on axle stands and give her a clean underneath/check the sills etc.

My winter ride 98 Volvo V70 R with Rica 310 chip and various other mods, owned since 2007, The turbo fidge mover

 

[roadvoyager1]

AS other have said clean and put battery on charge. I use a C-tek MX5. Only other item to add is inflate tyres to 40 psi to reduce the sidewall becoming damaged.

 

[N4LLY]

release the hood and drop the windows to take pressure off the seals, two duvet's then a car cover.

Windows and roof released Hmm interesting.

Ah ! Duvet's, sounds a good idea. I have one that needs replacing.
Hhhhhm new duvet for the winter, nice, snug

How many Togs do you suggest for a Zed ?

 

[Devon Z]

Windows and roof released Hmm interesting.

Ah ! Duvet's, sounds a good idea. I have one that needs replacing.
Hhhhhm new duvet for the winter, nice, snug

How many Togs do you suggest for a Zed ?

All depends how cold you think she may get?