Winter storage

[s5tuart]

I have been lucky enough to rent a garage for my 500 Chim for the winter.
I have an indoor cover and an Optimate III intelligent charger for the battery.
How often, and how far, would you guys recommend taking the car out for a "blast" to avoid flat-spots on the tyres and generally keep things moving and oiled. It has JUST been serviced.
Thanks in advance.

[3doorPete]

I pump the tyres up to about 36 psi to help prevent flatspots forming in the carcass and roll the car forward or back slightly once a week.
I start the car once ever 3 weeks to warm everything through for 10 minutes, gently blipping the throttle to 2000 rpm to warm more rapidly, although don't actually take her for a run. I also work the clutch and gearbox through as well as the brakes, while she's running.

As my cars are stored fastidiously clean and with no salt on them, a cover and battery conditioner, I've never had anything seize up using the above methods during storage over winter.

[Don]

I usually take the Chimaera out once a fortnight: for the short blast to work and back. Its kept on a battery conditioner in between. I choose the day to make sure its not salty. It always starts on the button, first time every time. We left it (due to being away) for a month recently and it did not want to start at all - despite the battery being tippy-top due to the conditioner. It did fire - but it took some effort and very careful throttle application to do it.

So two weeks no problems...a month a bit long. IF on a battery conditioner. Not otherwise.

My Porsche goes out about once a month during December, January and February. Its fine with that but is also on a battery conditioner. Its used weekly/more the rest of the year so I don't even bother with the conditioner.

[TVR keith]

I like to use all electrical switches, give the blower,wipers a go as well. They say that a car that gets used daily is more reliable, certainly I am sure that half the electrical problems people have on here is due to lack of use. Otherwise contacts get corroded etc:

[RumbleBee]

They say it only takes about 5 days for the oil film to break down on things like the cam. This must be the reason for some cars needing a new one after about 50k miles whereas others are at 120k on the orginal cam with no problems. So I try to run mine every 4 or 5 days when possible, even if it is just idling in the garage for 10 mins.

[Andy JB]

Once a month take it for run if roads are dryish for at least 10 miles to ensure its properly warmed through and ensure all electrics are used to ensure nothing sticks. Also frees brakes handbrake callipers etc. Modern oil esters shouldn't drain away from critical parts after 5 days

Running it stationary is not a good idea this can leave chemical deposits within the engine, beter not to start than simply idle.

Don't store it when wet bet to wait until roads are relatively dry bfore excercising it. If it stays wet at least operate the electrics & handbrake, clutch etc but avoid an engine start.

Purely my opinion and engineers advice over past 20 years

[StreetDragster]

I do pretty much as the others do, battery conditioner on at all times in the garage, and engine start every two weeks and if weather/road conditions are suitable, with maybe a 2 min drive just to spin up the brakes, wheel bearings and stuff.
When in the garage i store it with the wheels chocked and the handbrake off, and alarmed, but i try to get the roof off and the car rolled out of the garage on dry days to air out the interior (Rather than simply leaving it in the garage with the window down and the alarm off.

Thanks

Matt

[Johnniem]

Bugger winter storage! Take it out at least two or three times a week. If you have it garaged (lucky you) just leave it in there when its wet but otherwise, use it. That's what it was built for! Storage? Why?!

[s5tuart]

Ha ha John. Good advice indeed and thanks to everyone else too. I will take it out whenever there is no salt on the road; just wanted a few takes on how long it was "safe" leave it without doing something!
Thanks again.