Should I be worried about frost/storing outside?
Discussion
Probably a very pedantic and silly concern, but am I going to be subjecting my car to any ill effects leaving it outside in this weather?
2006 vantage. I know it’s a piece of metal and rubber, and extensively tested etc in development, and has probably spent multiple harsh winters outside before I bought it
through sheer disorganisation I haven’t managed to find a garage to rent nearby for until March time.
Went past Aston Brentwood yesterday with multiple old vanquishes etc caked in frost on the forecourt, so probably nothing to worry about - just can’t imagine it sitting on the drive not moving, freezing, then thawing, then freezing again for the next few weeks is particularly healthy?
Being silly?
2006 vantage. I know it’s a piece of metal and rubber, and extensively tested etc in development, and has probably spent multiple harsh winters outside before I bought it
through sheer disorganisation I haven’t managed to find a garage to rent nearby for until March time.Went past Aston Brentwood yesterday with multiple old vanquishes etc caked in frost on the forecourt, so probably nothing to worry about - just can’t imagine it sitting on the drive not moving, freezing, then thawing, then freezing again for the next few weeks is particularly healthy?
Being silly?
Simpo Two said:
I know what you mean, but are there any parts of an Aston Martin that are more likely to be affected by freezing than on any other car? I suspect not. But you could put an outdoor cover on it to save scraping the frost off.
Mine (when I have it) is an outdoor car.
Probably not - and supposedly built to ford durability standard of the time etc.Mine (when I have it) is an outdoor car.
I think it’s just the fact I’ve pampered it since buying earlier in the year and then leaving it to the uncontrollable elements. I’m very tempted to cover it with something high quality, but endless stories of paint ruination and moisture trapping making it counterproductive etc. It’s not being driven at the moment so not an issue of hassle of removing frost etc…. Just worried about harming it. It’s an oldish car now after all.
Also tempted to take it out for a 10 mile run every day until this cold snap ends - but the roads are very heavily gritted around here so catch 22!
Edited by Krhuangbin on Friday 9th December 21:30
if its a cabrio with softtop, then do not open the roof when its very cold (if it has a thin plastic rear window)
a friend of mine did that with his Z3 and that plastic window cracked... he was not happy lol.
so be careful with older plastic parts when its freezing, they are more fragile then.
a friend of mine did that with his Z3 and that plastic window cracked... he was not happy lol.
so be careful with older plastic parts when its freezing, they are more fragile then.
If you have access to mains power, by far the best protection for a car outside is a Carcoon. https://www.carcoon.com/
I've had one for some 18 years and the car has been dry, protected and the battery maintained exactly as if it had been garaged.
I've had one for some 18 years and the car has been dry, protected and the battery maintained exactly as if it had been garaged.
huntsen said:
If you have access to mains power, by far the best protection for a car outside is a Carcoon. https://www.carcoon.com/
I've had one for some 18 years and the car has been dry, protected and the battery maintained exactly as if it had been garaged.
Interesting: https://www.carcoon.com/product-range/vehicle/outd...I've had one for some 18 years and the car has been dry, protected and the battery maintained exactly as if it had been garaged.
Remember to use a battery conditioner if left unused for more than 10 days (p12.25 in the manual).
Any modern car will be OK left outside, however the paintwork should be covered/protected if possible against bird droppings, tree sap, dust etc.
The Vantage does have one or two weaknesses, one is that it allows water to run down the drain channels either side of the tailgate and pool on top of the rear light assemblies. This water can then be ‘sucked’ in via small gaps where the parts of the assembly are joined. It can happen when daytime temperatures produce a small positive pressure in the supposedly airtight lamp assembly which will find an exit via either the join points or other cracks that can develop through a fatigue process. When the temperature drops, the water sitting on top of the assembly is forming the seal, so the small resultant negative pressure or vacuum (relative to external) will draw the water in. This is the mechanism which fills the rear lights with water, and is only fixed when a small pressure equalising hole is drilled on the underside of the assembly, and if really bad, the seal between lens and housing renewed.
You will know if your car is affected as the rear lights will slowly fill with water.
The Vantage does have one or two weaknesses, one is that it allows water to run down the drain channels either side of the tailgate and pool on top of the rear light assemblies. This water can then be ‘sucked’ in via small gaps where the parts of the assembly are joined. It can happen when daytime temperatures produce a small positive pressure in the supposedly airtight lamp assembly which will find an exit via either the join points or other cracks that can develop through a fatigue process. When the temperature drops, the water sitting on top of the assembly is forming the seal, so the small resultant negative pressure or vacuum (relative to external) will draw the water in. This is the mechanism which fills the rear lights with water, and is only fixed when a small pressure equalising hole is drilled on the underside of the assembly, and if really bad, the seal between lens and housing renewed.
You will know if your car is affected as the rear lights will slowly fill with water.
GTRene said:
if its a cabrio with softtop, then do not open the roof when its very cold (if it has a thin plastic rear window)
a friend of mine did that with his Z3 and that plastic window cracked... he was not happy lol.
so be careful with older plastic parts when its freezing, they are more fragile then.
I am sure my 2010 Roadster had a glass rear window, the main issue was the window drop stopped when really frozen but I found it best to just leave it on the drive uncovered and only use it when the roads were grit free.a friend of mine did that with his Z3 and that plastic window cracked... he was not happy lol.
so be careful with older plastic parts when its freezing, they are more fragile then.
None of the Gaydon-built Roadsters/Volantes have a plastic rear screen, they’re all glass.
Still, it is advised not to open the roof near freezing temperatures (should you be inclined to do so).
To come back to the OP’s question, your car can be left outside without any problem.
Mine was living outside under a carport before my garage was available. I have an outdoor cover (the AM Teflon coated one which is great, made to measure and doesn’t leave moist trapped inside).
But your car needs to be perfectly clean before putting the cover on.
If not perfectly clean, you better leave it uncovered, dust has never done any harm, on the contrary, it kind of protects the paint.
Still, it is advised not to open the roof near freezing temperatures (should you be inclined to do so).
To come back to the OP’s question, your car can be left outside without any problem.
Mine was living outside under a carport before my garage was available. I have an outdoor cover (the AM Teflon coated one which is great, made to measure and doesn’t leave moist trapped inside).
But your car needs to be perfectly clean before putting the cover on.
If not perfectly clean, you better leave it uncovered, dust has never done any harm, on the contrary, it kind of protects the paint.
Leaving a modern car outside should not be a problem in the short or medium term but in the long term the weather can take its toll.
I wonder if anyone has done a scientific experiment and compared two cars that have been treated and driven the same but one kept in a garage and one out in the elements for four or five years.
I wonder if anyone has done a scientific experiment and compared two cars that have been treated and driven the same but one kept in a garage and one out in the elements for four or five years.
Mine sits outside with a battery conditioner connected and a good quality cover that is snug fitting, very thick and breathable and is held in place with two adjustable straps. Never had a problem with paint or battery in the 2.5 years I've owned it.
These cars, like all cars have to go through rigorous all weather testing in extremes of weather which in theory should subject the car to worse conditions than an owner will subject their car too. Of course there are exceptions but on the whole it should be fine.
These cars, like all cars have to go through rigorous all weather testing in extremes of weather which in theory should subject the car to worse conditions than an owner will subject their car too. Of course there are exceptions but on the whole it should be fine.
Goes for any (well, most) cars with pillarless doors, but be mindful of the window when opening the door in freezing temperatures. If the window doesn't drop slightly, you won't be able to close the door properly. I don't think the window will shatter unless you absolutely slam the door shut(!) but you'll definitely notice something's not right.
Heating/deicing the rubber seal where the bottom of the window meets the door solves this. Appreciate this might sound like I'm teaching you to suck eggs, but figured it'd be worth mentioning nonetheless.
Heating/deicing the rubber seal where the bottom of the window meets the door solves this. Appreciate this might sound like I'm teaching you to suck eggs, but figured it'd be worth mentioning nonetheless.
Yes, it looks pretty, but I couldn’t bear to leave the car outside any longer - now squeezed (just) into my little single garage.
Chilly….. by Nigel Ogram, on Flickr
PITA, as it means I need to move the car even to get my bike out, but I've seen the condensation in the rear lights and the VIN plate window, so I prefer it to be inside.
Chilly….. by Nigel Ogram, on FlickrPITA, as it means I need to move the car even to get my bike out, but I've seen the condensation in the rear lights and the VIN plate window, so I prefer it to be inside.
Edited by Nigel_O on Friday 16th December 14:22
Astontony said:
I dont know how you live in a climate like yours. Its approx 28c today with blue skies and in winter we might reach single figures occasionally in the early morn and then 19c during the day.
I prefer to have 4 seasons rather than just warm, very hot or on fire - If its more than 28C I'm usually indoors with the aircon on 
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