Looking after 10 year old parked car in winter weather
Discussion
I have a 10 year old car that is only driven around once a week.
It is well looked after, always serviced so no issues currently however with these below zero temperatures I do get a bit concerned about the battery degrading as it isn't being used and the strain on the engine when it needs to start up again after a week of sitting idle in below freezing temperatures.
It also doesn't help that the car is parked on a north facing driveway so doesn't get much sun (the benefits of a south facing garden, can't have it all!)
I have considered getting an insulated car cover as one option. What are your thoughts on those, are they worth the few 100 quid? I do like the idea of them and if they protect the longevity of the car and it's parts, then i'm all for it.
Or am i worrying about nothing? Is it fine to just leave my car as is then deal with the ice build up/defrosting when I drive it?
Any ideas welcome.
It is well looked after, always serviced so no issues currently however with these below zero temperatures I do get a bit concerned about the battery degrading as it isn't being used and the strain on the engine when it needs to start up again after a week of sitting idle in below freezing temperatures.
It also doesn't help that the car is parked on a north facing driveway so doesn't get much sun (the benefits of a south facing garden, can't have it all!)
I have considered getting an insulated car cover as one option. What are your thoughts on those, are they worth the few 100 quid? I do like the idea of them and if they protect the longevity of the car and it's parts, then i'm all for it.
Or am i worrying about nothing? Is it fine to just leave my car as is then deal with the ice build up/defrosting when I drive it?
Any ideas welcome.
A good, well fitting, cover would help protect the car itself (battery not so much), but the car would need to be clean and polished to avoid scratching, which would be a right PITA if you were using the car weekly.
I’d just keeping using it and charge the battery occasionally , if some weeks you only do short journeys.
I’d just keeping using it and charge the battery occasionally , if some weeks you only do short journeys.
London1986 said:
I have a 10 year old car that is only driven around once a week.
It is well looked after, always serviced so no issues currently however with these below zero temperatures I do get a bit concerned about the battery degrading as it isn't being used and the strain on the engine when it needs to start up again after a week of sitting idle in below freezing temperatures.
It also doesn't help that the car is parked on a north facing driveway so doesn't get much sun (the benefits of a south facing garden, can't have it all!)
I have considered getting an insulated car cover as one option. What are your thoughts on those, are they worth the few 100 quid? I do like the idea of them and if they protect the longevity of the car and it's parts, then i'm all for it.
Or am i worrying about nothing? Is it fine to just leave my car as is then deal with the ice build up/defrosting when I drive it?
Any ideas welcome.
1. It'll be fine as long as the time when you do drive it, it's for a bit of a run rather than 5 minutes.It is well looked after, always serviced so no issues currently however with these below zero temperatures I do get a bit concerned about the battery degrading as it isn't being used and the strain on the engine when it needs to start up again after a week of sitting idle in below freezing temperatures.
It also doesn't help that the car is parked on a north facing driveway so doesn't get much sun (the benefits of a south facing garden, can't have it all!)
I have considered getting an insulated car cover as one option. What are your thoughts on those, are they worth the few 100 quid? I do like the idea of them and if they protect the longevity of the car and it's parts, then i'm all for it.
Or am i worrying about nothing? Is it fine to just leave my car as is then deal with the ice build up/defrosting when I drive it?
Any ideas welcome.
2. Price up a new battery for it (I suggest https://www.tayna.co.uk/ but anywhere decent will do). If your car is like one of mine, a brand new battery will cost £75 delivered. This sets the price of the worry. Is it worth it?
Thanks all for your advice, very reassuring.
Very interesting to learn that the price of a new battery is cheaper than some of these covers, some can go well over £200 and I imagine they would be a faff. Not only dealing with the hassle of taking on/off but also where to store it when it's not in use.
Very interesting to learn that the price of a new battery is cheaper than some of these covers, some can go well over £200 and I imagine they would be a faff. Not only dealing with the hassle of taking on/off but also where to store it when it's not in use.
2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:
Our winters are as nothing compared to many countries. A cover can do more harm than good sometimes.
I'd just use it & not worry. (I always keep a jump start pack in the car, they are really small these days)
Very good shout about the jump start park. Thankfully I don't think my car is at that stage yet where it's needed one but this is such a good ideaI'd just use it & not worry. (I always keep a jump start pack in the car, they are really small these days)
My 40 year old van sits outside all year. It always takes a bit of cranking to get it going as there are no chokes on the cars.
It can sit there for a couple of weeks and always starts okay on a battery which is as old as your car.
There are mixed opinions about car covers. I would be worried about condensation getting trapped and rotting stuff out. I just think a regular wash and wax is sufficient to protect the paintwork from pollutants, algae etc.
It can sit there for a couple of weeks and always starts okay on a battery which is as old as your car.
There are mixed opinions about car covers. I would be worried about condensation getting trapped and rotting stuff out. I just think a regular wash and wax is sufficient to protect the paintwork from pollutants, algae etc.
mike9009 said:
My 40 year old van sits outside all year. It always takes a bit of cranking to get it going as there are no chokes on the cars.
It can sit there for a couple of weeks and always starts okay on a battery which is as old as your car.
There are mixed opinions about car covers. I would be worried about condensation getting trapped and rotting stuff out. I just think a regular wash and wax is sufficient to protect the paintwork from pollutants, algae etc.
Thanks for your insights. It can sit there for a couple of weeks and always starts okay on a battery which is as old as your car.
There are mixed opinions about car covers. I would be worried about condensation getting trapped and rotting stuff out. I just think a regular wash and wax is sufficient to protect the paintwork from pollutants, algae etc.
For me this is the oldest car I've owned had and the coldest weather in the UK I've ever experiencing hence the concern, but comforting to know others on here have much older cars and experience of much colder weathers and say it's fine
2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:
stogbandard said:
There are some periods where my cat might be parked for a week of two. After a week I usually dig out the smart charger and to make sure the battery is topped up.
Where do you connect it, to the whiskers? 
My car is eight, I look after it in the summer when it gets washed, polished, serviced and any other jobs done.
In the winter, it can get on with it, no point washing it beyond seeing out and keeping the legal, it gets dark at 3 pm, having only got light at 8 so nobody sees it, and it gets dirty in a few miles anyway.
With regards to the battery, my rule is if it dicks me about, in the absence of me causing it, it gets replaced, I have a trickle charger and have used that, they do some "conditioning", but if its a few years old and lets you down, get your hand in your pocket it my thinking.
Worth a look round underneath in summer, dont do that in winter, its horrible !
In the winter, it can get on with it, no point washing it beyond seeing out and keeping the legal, it gets dark at 3 pm, having only got light at 8 so nobody sees it, and it gets dirty in a few miles anyway.
With regards to the battery, my rule is if it dicks me about, in the absence of me causing it, it gets replaced, I have a trickle charger and have used that, they do some "conditioning", but if its a few years old and lets you down, get your hand in your pocket it my thinking.
Worth a look round underneath in summer, dont do that in winter, its horrible !
Mrs. DG’s car was bought new 11 years ago, Hyundai Moinca (Sonata in a tarts frock). Lives outside in all weathers, with a car cover in winter, bit of a faff each time you use the car. Worth pointing out, it’s very dry here.
Mainly used for short journeys, but once a week we give it a long run. About 3 years ago it needed a new battery. Like J4CKO we get on top of maintenance in the summer.
For context, today is bright sunshine and the temp -24C.
Mainly used for short journeys, but once a week we give it a long run. About 3 years ago it needed a new battery. Like J4CKO we get on top of maintenance in the summer.
For context, today is bright sunshine and the temp -24C.
J4CKO said:
With regards to the battery, my rule is if it dicks me about, in the absence of me causing it, it gets replaced
Exactly this.Mine was a bit hesitant in early November so just replaced it. Rationale was why wait until the really cold weather and it leaves me stranded somewhere
J4CKO said:
My car is eight, I look after it in the summer when it gets washed, polished, serviced and any other jobs done.
In the winter, it can get on with it, no point washing it beyond seeing out and keeping the legal, it gets dark at 3 pm, having only got light at 8 so nobody sees it, and it gets dirty in a few miles anyway.
With regards to the battery, my rule is if it dicks me about, in the absence of me causing it, it gets replaced, I have a trickle charger and have used that, they do some "conditioning", but if its a few years old and lets you down, get your hand in your pocket it my thinking.
Worth a look round underneath in summer, dont do that in winter, its horrible !
Very good response. Completely agree with all of it In the winter, it can get on with it, no point washing it beyond seeing out and keeping the legal, it gets dark at 3 pm, having only got light at 8 so nobody sees it, and it gets dirty in a few miles anyway.
With regards to the battery, my rule is if it dicks me about, in the absence of me causing it, it gets replaced, I have a trickle charger and have used that, they do some "conditioning", but if its a few years old and lets you down, get your hand in your pocket it my thinking.
Worth a look round underneath in summer, dont do that in winter, its horrible !
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