NOT LAYING UP FOR WINTER

[houghman]

Hi guys, I'm NOT laying my S3 up for winter as I use it every day (terrible, terrible shame, NOT) and unfortunately it isn't garaged either, what essential 'winter things' to I need to make sure I do to get her through this chilly period?

[longers]

houghman said:

Hi guys, I'm NOT laying my S3 up for winter as I use it every day (terrible, terrible shame, NOT) and unfortunately it isn't garaged either, what essential 'winter things' to I need to make sure I do to get her through this chilly period?

A lot of the following will seem obvious , but when I ran a previous S as an everyday car I:
1. uprated the headlamps for better visibility (both to see AND be seen!)
2. made sure the roof was regularly waterproofed
3. always carried some rain-x in the boot, used inside of windscreen as well to help prevent misting up
4. cleaned and waxoiled the chassis more than was probably required once the salt lorries started appearing
5. always drove with caution for fear of black ice etc
6. really enjoyed the buzz of roof off motoring on bright crisp winter days while other cars were covered up in their garages!!

Longers

[59fan]

I used mine all last winter, the best purchase I made was a levan/leven? car cap. Kept the car nice and dry inside whilst parked.
Apart from that, just the usual. Make sure your tyres are good, check for antifreeze and ensure the screenwash is always full.
Oh, and plenty of layers of clothes. At some times last year I was wearing a t-shirt, 3 fleeces and a leather coat.....oh and get some good gloves. Assumimg you aren't going to wimp around with the roof on of course

Ian

[tvrgit]

I had no garage and left my car outside for 3 winters. Last year I decided that it was taking its toll:

I agree that keeping the roof well waterproofed is vital. It is amazing, though, how many other places water can find its way in, even with the car just sitting still. Door seals, window seals, wiring grommets etc. Mine was never really dry;

Leven car cap - yep very good idea, very waterproof BUT I left mine on one night when it was heavy rain and strong wind - the cover was moving in the wind, only about 10mm or so, but it one night it left a line of very visible scratches along the front edge of the boot and the rear edge of the boot that wouldn't polish out;

Full outdoor car covers are even worse;

I have discovered this year that the hammerite is all peeling off the chassis just in front of the bulkhead - ie exactly where water runs down behind the bonnet, off the screen;

The wheels were corroding like mad;

by the spring the paintwork needed a full renovation treatment just so that it looked half shiny. Then I had to polish it every time I used it, almost.

Last year I decided that the car was suffering as a result of being kept outside, so I went and rented a garage. I now know that when I go back to the car it won't be in a worse state than when I left it. When I polish it, it stays polished. I renovated the wheels and they still look as good as new.

I would think really hard about keeping it outside in all weathers.

[houghman]

Thanks for your comments guys, it all helps, especially in Manchester where is p's down permanently!

[gary lusty]

Yes they do suffer, but all cars over a certain age do,as long as all of the essential levels are maintained,and it is regularly cleaned and used, there should be no worry.
I drove my old Spitfire mk3 all year round for 4 years, and it was fine, and T.V.R. is more modern and better made, go for it, I am !!!

[Pies]

tvrgit said:

I would think really hard about keeping it outside in all weathers.