Hibernation

[nightSpirit]

How do you store your cars for the winter?

I don't want to use the Tam in the wet or st weather...

I have it garaged with a timed heater and cover but want to know how long people leave their cars sat, what are the pitfalls etc? my old track car sat for 19 months and fired first time, it would be great if the Tam matched that after a few cold months

[Targarama]

I just leave mine in the garage on the trickle charger and covered by a few dust sheets, taking it out for a drive every few weeks when we get those nice dry sunny days. I roll it back and fore to keep it off the same spot on the tyres.

[m3coupe]

I used to keep my Tuscan outside with a charger on and a outdoor cover. Took it for a drive whenever I could and on dry sunny days would take the cover off and let it air even if I was not driving it.

As with last post, I tried to move it a couple of inches ecery week or so to stop it sitting on the same part of the tyres.

[nightSpirit]

Ok thanks,

In terms of time sat without being driven..does anyone (in the case of the snow in Jan-Feb) leave there car sat for a number of months without driving it?

[OatSy]

I leave my Tam in storage for at least 8 months of the year, longest was 18 Months. I leave it on axle stands, take battery out or leave it on a trickle charger. Have a good dust cover and that's it. Always started 1st time when I bring it back out.

[VARLEYHYD]

nightSpirit said:

Ok thanks,

In terms of time sat without being driven..does anyone (in the case of the snow in Jan-Feb) leave there car sat for a number of months without driving it?

Usually 5 months laidup for mine.

As above, but also depress the clutch and brake pedals every few weeks if not driving it.

Sit on each corner too, to excersie the shockers.

If not starting, but on the accumate, switch the ignition on and let the fuel pump etc prime and check the pod readings for healthy readings too.

Before Spring re start, I heat the sump with a greenhouse heater for 24 hours to get the oil warmed, then pull the ignition & fuel pump relays out, and turn over for 4-5 seconds to prime the engine with oil, before replacing relays.
Always works for me.

G

[Targarama]

Yes, good point Graham. Using the pedals/levers and bouncing stops things siezing up. I remember once my clutch pedal felt stiff when I was sitting in the car after a few weeks of no use. I tend to give it a prod or three together with other bits when I'm doing one of those "wish it was summer" drools around the car in winter

[nightSpirit]

All good points

[Geoff Ashcroft]

If it's not going on axle stands, then put an extra 8-10psi in the tyres to stop them getting flat spots from sitting in the same place.

[Targarama]

Geoff Ashcroft said:

If it's not going on axle stands, then put an extra 8-10psi in the tyres to stop them getting flat spots from sitting in the same place.

Or axle stands if you're definitely not moving the car. More PSI makes it a PITA when you want to take it out for a sunny Sunday blast IME. Hence why the other option is to push it back and fore onto a different spot between drives.

[rolex]

I think it would also be wise to keep the handbrake off to avoid any seizure.
You can always chock the wheels.

[nightSpirit]

I have it covered, with the window slightly down for airflow (and incase of dampness), trickle charger on and handbrake off...so I'm almost there.