putting my car away for the winter
Registered User
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 56
From: Australia
I found this on a road service web site here in Australia (where i live) think it would be of interest to you all.
Quote
Storing Your Car
At sometime or another most of us will need to store our car, or at
least not use it for a few weeks. The following information is a
guide to storing your car and returning it to service while, as far as
possible, avoiding some of the problems that can arise.
Firstly it's appropriate to start with a word of warning. Storing a
vehicle for long periods can result in unavoidable problems, no matter
how well it is prepared. Components can corrode, deteriorate and
seize up from lack of use and often there is little, if anything, that
can be done to prevent it. If you plan to store your car for more
than a few months you should be prepared for some repair bills when
it's due to go back into service, and probably afterward as well.
Without doubt the best way to look after your car in your absence is
not to store it at all. Instead, have someone you trust drive it
regularly. Preferably this should be weekly for about 30 minutes to
allow everything to reach operating temperature and to circulate oils
and fluids. This use, while infrequent, offers the best chance of
ensuring that everything continues to operate properly. Inevitably
however, things will go wrong simply through normal wear and tear.
Also don't overlook the fact that regular servicing will be required
even when the vehicle doesn't travel any significant distance.
Servicing should be scheduled for every 6 months or 5,000 km whichever
comes first.
If you can't arrange for regular use, the appropriate method of
storage will depend on the length of time you plan to store the
vehicle. In all cases the vehicle should be stored in a secure,
enclosed area. If this is not possible avoid parking it near trees or
in areas where it is exposed to atmospheric contamination. Open sided
carports are not ideal but are better than no protection at all. Car
covers should be used to prevent dust build up that could damage paint
and bright work, however avoid car covers in areas where the vehicle
will be exposed to wind, as moving car covers will wear through the
paint on panel edges and corners.
For periods up to about 4 weeks no special treatment is necessary,
however the vehicle should be cleaned inside and out and left to
thoroughly dry before being stored. The fuel tank should be filled to
prevent condensation and tyres inflated to approximately 30 kpa above
their normal pressure. Depending on the battery's condition and
vehicle's electrical load, it will probably retain its charge for this
period of time, however if the battery is in poor condition or the
vehicle has a high electrical drain, it may have to be recharged or
replaced at the end of the storage period.
Apart from correcting tyre pressures, there are no special
requirements for putting the vehicle back into service after a short
period of storage, however it is important to be on the look out for
any issues that may arise as a result of the storage. These can
include brake and clutch hydraulic problems and coolant leaks.
For periods greater than about one month you should have the vehicle
serviced, and oils, coolant, brake and clutch fluids changed. The
fuel tank should be filled to prevent condensation. The body should
be cleaned and polished and chrome work should be sprayed with
protective oil such as WD 40. The interior trim should be cleaned and
treated with a suitable vinyl protector. Ensure that the body/chassis
rust proofing is in sound condition as general body corrosion may
occur if the vehicle is stored in a humid environment or if the
vehicle is stored wet.
All engine openings such as intake; exhaust and breathers should be
plugged with rag wherever possible. The battery should be removed and
the battery tray cleaned with warm water and baking soda and coated
with protective oil such as WD40 or a similar product. The battery
should be regularly charged, however depending on its age, condition
and the length of the storage, it may fail and need to be replaced
when the vehicle is put back into service. The vehicle should be
placed on stands with the suspension in a loaded position and the
tyres clear of the ground. The park brake should be disengaged.
Grease points, if any, should be lubricated.
The requirements for returning the vehicle to service will depend on
the length of the storage. For storage up to three months, basic
attention to tyre pressures, battery and reversing the storage
procedure will probably suffice. However for periods longer than this
you should also plan as a minimum to have a full service carried out,
the brake system inspected and if necessary overhauled, the fuel
system drained and refilled with fresh fuel, as well as any other
necessary repairs.
Additional/related information
When batteries are disconnected it is not unusual for later model cars
to lose some of their computer memory. This may require them to
re-learn things like engine idle speeds and transmission shift
information. If this is the case the owner's handbook will often
provide information or instructions about the re-learn procedures.
Also don't forget that if your car is fitted with a security-coded
radio, you will need to re-enter its code before it will operate.
Another common problem relating to storing manual vehicles is that the
clutch plate can become rusted to the flywheel over time. There are
ways to overcome this however they are methods best left to a
professional.
Never run an engine in a confined space due to the dangers from
exhaust gases. If using a car cover, be sure to fully remove it
before running the engine so that it doesn't contact heated bonnets or
other components or block cooling air flow to the engine.
regards Graeme
Quote
Storing Your Car
At sometime or another most of us will need to store our car, or at
least not use it for a few weeks. The following information is a
guide to storing your car and returning it to service while, as far as
possible, avoiding some of the problems that can arise.
Firstly it's appropriate to start with a word of warning. Storing a
vehicle for long periods can result in unavoidable problems, no matter
how well it is prepared. Components can corrode, deteriorate and
seize up from lack of use and often there is little, if anything, that
can be done to prevent it. If you plan to store your car for more
than a few months you should be prepared for some repair bills when
it's due to go back into service, and probably afterward as well.
Without doubt the best way to look after your car in your absence is
not to store it at all. Instead, have someone you trust drive it
regularly. Preferably this should be weekly for about 30 minutes to
allow everything to reach operating temperature and to circulate oils
and fluids. This use, while infrequent, offers the best chance of
ensuring that everything continues to operate properly. Inevitably
however, things will go wrong simply through normal wear and tear.
Also don't overlook the fact that regular servicing will be required
even when the vehicle doesn't travel any significant distance.
Servicing should be scheduled for every 6 months or 5,000 km whichever
comes first.
If you can't arrange for regular use, the appropriate method of
storage will depend on the length of time you plan to store the
vehicle. In all cases the vehicle should be stored in a secure,
enclosed area. If this is not possible avoid parking it near trees or
in areas where it is exposed to atmospheric contamination. Open sided
carports are not ideal but are better than no protection at all. Car
covers should be used to prevent dust build up that could damage paint
and bright work, however avoid car covers in areas where the vehicle
will be exposed to wind, as moving car covers will wear through the
paint on panel edges and corners.
For periods up to about 4 weeks no special treatment is necessary,
however the vehicle should be cleaned inside and out and left to
thoroughly dry before being stored. The fuel tank should be filled to
prevent condensation and tyres inflated to approximately 30 kpa above
their normal pressure. Depending on the battery's condition and
vehicle's electrical load, it will probably retain its charge for this
period of time, however if the battery is in poor condition or the
vehicle has a high electrical drain, it may have to be recharged or
replaced at the end of the storage period.
Apart from correcting tyre pressures, there are no special
requirements for putting the vehicle back into service after a short
period of storage, however it is important to be on the look out for
any issues that may arise as a result of the storage. These can
include brake and clutch hydraulic problems and coolant leaks.
For periods greater than about one month you should have the vehicle
serviced, and oils, coolant, brake and clutch fluids changed. The
fuel tank should be filled to prevent condensation. The body should
be cleaned and polished and chrome work should be sprayed with
protective oil such as WD 40. The interior trim should be cleaned and
treated with a suitable vinyl protector. Ensure that the body/chassis
rust proofing is in sound condition as general body corrosion may
occur if the vehicle is stored in a humid environment or if the
vehicle is stored wet.
All engine openings such as intake; exhaust and breathers should be
plugged with rag wherever possible. The battery should be removed and
the battery tray cleaned with warm water and baking soda and coated
with protective oil such as WD40 or a similar product. The battery
should be regularly charged, however depending on its age, condition
and the length of the storage, it may fail and need to be replaced
when the vehicle is put back into service. The vehicle should be
placed on stands with the suspension in a loaded position and the
tyres clear of the ground. The park brake should be disengaged.
Grease points, if any, should be lubricated.
The requirements for returning the vehicle to service will depend on
the length of the storage. For storage up to three months, basic
attention to tyre pressures, battery and reversing the storage
procedure will probably suffice. However for periods longer than this
you should also plan as a minimum to have a full service carried out,
the brake system inspected and if necessary overhauled, the fuel
system drained and refilled with fresh fuel, as well as any other
necessary repairs.
Additional/related information
When batteries are disconnected it is not unusual for later model cars
to lose some of their computer memory. This may require them to
re-learn things like engine idle speeds and transmission shift
information. If this is the case the owner's handbook will often
provide information or instructions about the re-learn procedures.
Also don't forget that if your car is fitted with a security-coded
radio, you will need to re-enter its code before it will operate.
Another common problem relating to storing manual vehicles is that the
clutch plate can become rusted to the flywheel over time. There are
ways to overcome this however they are methods best left to a
professional.
Never run an engine in a confined space due to the dangers from
exhaust gases. If using a car cover, be sure to fully remove it
before running the engine so that it doesn't contact heated bonnets or
other components or block cooling air flow to the engine.
regards Graeme
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