Windymiller Posted August 3, 2018 Share Posted August 3, 2018 (edited) I will be taking my Porker off the road for winter this year (I.e., Dec, Jan, Feb) and keeping her in the garage. Are there any top tips for preserving the car’s material condition throughout ~3 months of storage? I intend to connect a C-Tech charger (on Septembers birthday list from SWMBO) via fly-leads direct to the battery (rather than through cabin 12v socket), and put her on tyre-trainers to prevent flat-spotting of the tyres. the garage is clean and painted and free from damp, with some reasonable ventilation (gaps around the garage door top), but no heating, aircon or anything similarly exotic (and expensive!). My old man suggested a ‘carcoon’? This seems a bit OTT for 3 months... i had thought of an indoor dust-cover, but would this encourage condensation and mildew/mould under the cover? she’ll remain taxed and insured so the ocassional run out will be possible, though only if the weather is good (no snow, ice, salt on roads). i will get her MOT’d, checked over and minor serviced (eg oil & filter change, inspect all rubbers, bushes etc) prior to heading back out in March. Any top tips or lessons learnt from previous experiences much appreciated. I know it seems like an age away, as the temperature approaches 32degC today, but once we’re through the school summer hols it’s only 3 months till December and I want to be prepared and ready. Cheers all Jason Edited August 3, 2018 by Windymiller Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PMGPete Posted August 5, 2018 Share Posted August 5, 2018 Car covers aren't a great idea in my professional opinion. Your car needs to breathe. Just give the car a very thorough wash and an equally thorough dry. Make sure to take any excess water off the braking surfaces and I tend to leave the hand break off so it doesn't stick on. A fresh coat of wax or sealant will keep any dust from doing any untoward damage. I would also recommend some dehumidifier bags inside the car and check them regularly and dry and replace as necessary. If you can let the car run and get up to temp occasionally too it's a good idea. Last thing which you are already addressing is a battery conditioner. I leave my car unlocked in the garage over winter too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Windymiller Posted August 5, 2018 Author Share Posted August 5, 2018 5 hours ago, PMGPete said: Car covers aren't a great idea in my professional opinion. Your car needs to breathe. Just give the car a very thorough wash and an equally thorough dry. Make sure to take any excess water off the braking surfaces and I tend to leave the hand break off so it doesn't stick on. A fresh coat of wax or sealant will keep any dust from doing any untoward damage. I would also recommend some dehumidifier bags inside the car and check them regularly and dry and replace as necessary. If you can let the car run and get up to temp occasionally too it's a good idea. Last thing which you are already addressing is a battery conditioner. I leave my car unlocked in the garage over winter too. Many thanks Pete for the top tips - especially the dehumidifier bags, do you mean something like this: https://www.ebay.co.uk/bhp/wardrobe-dehumidifier whats the reason for leaving it unlocked though?? cheers again, Jason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PMGPete Posted August 5, 2018 Share Posted August 5, 2018 That's the ones. You can just pop them in a microwave to dry them out tben. I leave it unlocked as it's not setting the alarm immobilizer and in my head is kinder to the battery Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Windymiller Posted August 7, 2018 Author Share Posted August 7, 2018 On 05/08/2018 at 12:54, PMGPete said: That's the ones. You can just pop them in a microwave to dry them out tben. I leave it unlocked as it's not setting the alarm immobilizer and in my head is kinder to the battery Ah-ha, makes sense. Many thanks again Pete ?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Auty Posted April 7, 2019 Share Posted April 7, 2019 Mouse traps ! Always set a few in the garage, you don't want them nesting in your wiring loom..mucho damage can be caused You can get live traps so you don't have to kill them,..just take them a good bit away from your property before releasing them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Windymiller Posted April 7, 2019 Author Share Posted April 7, 2019 41 minutes ago, Stephen Auty said: Mouse traps ! Always set a few in the garage, you don't want them nesting in your wiring loom..mucho damage can be caused You can get live traps so you don't have to kill them,..just take them a good bit away from your property before releasing them. Never even thought about that issue 🤔 Should probably get 1/2 in the garage - though I’ve never noticed any droppings anywhere in there to date. Top tip - much appreciated 👍🏻 🐭😠 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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