Winter storage - things to do?

[Don Phil]

If i get the mk1 s-special im looking at, i will need to store it til end of march, as i cant really run 2 cars at the moment. It would be locked up in a garage, safe and sound, just wondering if there is anything specific would need to be done to ensure smooth running when it comes out of hibination in april.

Any tips much appreciated.

Edited by Don Phil on Wednesday 18th November 17:13

[Oldandslow]

Battery conditioner
Handbrake off
Move it a few inches every week to stop flat spots on tyres.
Hood up but not latched (stops wrinkles but doesn't stretch it out)
If dampish put a tray of rice on the seat.
If no heat check antifreeze OK and screen wash additive.
Put a sheet on it to protect from spider poo.

I'm sure there's more but I can't think of them for now

[Munter]

Oldandslow said:

Put a sheet on it to protect from spider poo.

You just dont realise how much spiders poo until you store something over the summer/winter in a garage. My hardtop was filthy!

[MrV]

I would start it up every couple of weeks as well as the above stuff.

[Gizmo!]

MrV said:

I would start it up every couple of weeks as well as the above stuff.

I wouldn't bother, just give it an oil change before waking it up in the spring.


Although frankly, why you want to put it away for the winter I can't imagine. Slippery roads

[I Am Milk]

To save having to move it every couple of weeks, just jack it up and put it on axle stands to save the tyres.


Tis what I did with a mini, works well.

[Don Phil]

Gizmo! said:

Although frankly, why you want to put it away for the winter I can't imagine. Slippery roads

Trust me if i buy i dont want to put it into hibination but would be the only choice. May just wait til March/April time when i'll be able to actually drive it!

[miniman]

I'm not sure about this "move it a few inches to prevent flat spots" to be honest. My Dolly Sprint sat in the garage for 4 YEARS, with one tyre flat. Now the tyres are on a different car, they are fine.

[Munter]

miniman said:

I'm not sure about this "move it a few inches to prevent flat spots" to be honest. My Dolly Sprint sat in the garage for 4 YEARS, with one tyre flat. Now the tyres are on a different car, they are fine.

The alternative I've heard is pump them up really hard to keep them a bit more "round".

[swannynhb]

Munter said:

miniman said:

I'm not sure about this "move it a few inches to prevent flat spots" to be honest. My Dolly Sprint sat in the garage for 4 YEARS, with one tyre flat. Now the tyres are on a different car, they are fine.

The alternative I've heard is pump them up really hard to keep them a bit more "round".

this is the easier option, its what car manufacturers do. when new cars turn up at our dealership the tyre pressures are between 45-55psi because sometimes cars are sat around in compounds for months.