I have just cleared out the garage so the Z can be stored for winter. My question is, what steps do I need to take as I will only use it rarely if at all over the coming months? never stored a car before so just wondering if I need to disconnect battery? remove any fuses? ect....

 

Any help appreciated

 

Thanks :)

How long are you going to keep it in storage and how dry is the garage?

 

Unless you're going to leave it for a year or something, there's not too much you need to do, it also depends on the condition of your garage too.

 

I store mine every single winter and it never gets left out overnight/damp conditions unless I am overseas with it or get caught out. My garage is an integrated sealed garage, so no moisture gets in, it's bone dry. I don't really need to do the following as it's so dry in there, but I crack the windows (actually I think they're fully wound down at the moment), I have a dust sheet draped over the bonnet, roof and tailgate. I've also disconnected the battery. That's pretty much it really. I leave the tank almost empty (don't want a whole tank of fuel to go stale) - having said that, fuel takes a lot longer to go stale in colder temperatures. I also leave the handbrake off and the car in gear.

 

Car sometimes gets wheeled out during mid winter, but that's it. I also make sure the tyres are correctly inflated with slightly more pressure in them.

I have just cleared out the garage so the Z can be stored for winter. My question is, what steps do I need to take as I will only use it rarely if at all over the coming months? never stored a car before so just wondering if I need to disconnect battery? remove any fuses? ect....

 

Any help appreciated

 

Thanks :)

theres plenty of precautions to take, a good wash wax and polish and maybe a car cover, i disconnect battery but i know of people who change battery over once a week. i like to turn the car over every couple of weeks and bring it up to temperature and open turbos up also. also keep a regular check on the tyres as they lose pressure when stood still

thanks guys,

 

I gave her a good clean and wax earlier and covered it with a fairly snug car cover. Garage is just your standard jobbie, nice and dry inside but the door isn't brilliantly sealed so some moisture will inevitably get in. I left the handbrake off but will go disconnect the battery and check tyre pressures. when you turn the car over every now and again do you just start it and let it get up to temp? or take it round the block?

i like to turn the car over every couple of weeks and bring it up to temperature

 

I would advise against doing that. You're doing more harm than good; unless you're going to actually drive it, you're just wearing out the timing gear and introducing condensation to internal engine components and connectors.

 

Starting a car up from cold to leave it to come up to temperature is the last thing you want to do. So many people do this thinking that they're doing the engine some good, whereas in actual fact, it's completely the opposite. You have cold oil sat in the sump at low pressure (relative to temperature). The top end has NO oil it it and you're just scraping metal against metal. No amount of Magnatec is going to help in this situation. lol

Edited November 10, 201312 yr by Funkysi

I would advise against doing that. You're doing more harm than good; unless you're going to actually drive it, you're just wearing out the timing gear and introducing condensation to internal engine components and connectors.

 

Starting a car up from cold to leave it to come up to temperature is the last thing you want to do. So many people do this thinking that they're doing the engine some good, whereas in actual fact, it's completely the opposite. You have cold oil sat in the sump at low pressure (relative to temperature). The top end has NO oil it it and you're just scraping metal against metal. No amount of Magnatec is going to help in this situation. lol

i do drive it for a few mile

I still wouldn't do it. But there ya go. Few miles isn't worth it still. For those that have their cars SORN for the winter, it's not really an option.

I still wouldn't do it. But there ya go. Few miles isn't worth it still. For those that have their cars SORN for the winter, it's not really an option.

alot people would agree and do what i do and making your car sorn is a decision someone has made

Yeah and I am saying that a lot of people don't have their cars taxed for the winter, so starting it up and leaving it to warm up is NOT a good thing to do. IMO, neither is driving it for a few miles once a week.....and that's actually factual. It'll cause a build-up of condensation in the heads as it won't have chance to burn off. So it's not about agreeing or disagreeing, it's about what actually happens. :)

Yeah and I am saying that a lot of people don't have their cars taxed for the winter, so starting it up and leaving it to warm up is NOT a good thing to do. IMO, neither is driving it for a few miles once a week.....and that's actually factual. It'll cause a build-up of condensation in the heads as it won't have chance to burn off. So it's not about agreeing or disagreeing, it's about what actually happens. :)

cant be bothered arguing with you, i am not mistreating my car by giving it a run out and what you are saying is not factual

Chill out. I am just going on evidence and trying to help. Blimey! It is factual. Short trips promote condensation build up in the engine. It's industry known!

just drive the blo ody thing when we get a nice day over the next few months sod all that leaving it locked up all over the winter get a nice day just drive it simple

I keep mine taxed so don't miss out on nice sunny winter mornings,quite like to drive it when it's a early crisp sunny day:-)),some times we get more chance in the winter months than the summer months.

I keep mine taxed so don't miss out on nice sunny winter mornings,quite like to drive it when it's a early crisp sunny day:-)),some times we get more chance in the winter months than the summer months.

 

well said

Provided there is no salt on the roads and they are dry, I'll take the car out each week or so over winter months. Sunny winter

mornings are lovely times to go out for 25 - 30 mile blast and are usually quieter than in the summer.

 

The car is kept in a dry garage and on a battery conditioner at all times (the type you don't need to disconnect the battery). If the

weather stops me going out for a few weeks then I will move the car by hand to stop any flat spots developing on the tyres. Some

brands seen to be more prone to getting them.

 

If you have mild steel in your exhaust system, then a major cause of failure is internal corrosion from acid moisture produced by the

combustion process. You need to drive the car after starting it to get rid of it, otherwise it just sits in the system and does its worst.

Finished on working on my zed for the winter now all covered over in new 3 layer car cover probably won't do anymore work till April time I've drained the oil and water out will this be ok or do I need to fill with new oil thanks Taff .

Finished on working on my zed for the winter now all covered over in new 3 layer car cover probably won't do anymore work till April time I've drained the oil and water out will this be ok or do I need to fill with new oil thanks Taff .

 

ide keep the oil in it bud...drop it in the spring before you use iff you feel the need:wink:

To add to this I would recommend leaving more fuel in it than nothing.

 

A big empty fuel tank will encourage condensation I would have thought and as I'm sure we know internal combustion engines don't much like to run on water. Even left standing for a few weeks I try and make sure mine all have at least half a tank.

mine will remain taxed and can still use it if the weather is nice, but that may be only once in weeks! would hate to be doing more damage than good by letting it sit. Still saves a few pennies on petrol by not, allowing me to buy some goodies for it!

I've decided to put mine to bed tomorrow on my day off. She really doesn't like the rain (leaky targas and a couple of electrical problems) and it takes ages to demist the windscreen (don't even bother about the boot!). So I'm getting a couple of dehumidifier bags to put in the car, dry it as much as I can, and cover it up.