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Z going to bed for the winter

2003 - 2009, roadster, coupe, facelift
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MrRenF
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Z going to bed for the winter

Post by MrRenF » Wed Dec 06, 2017 3:14 pm

Hi fellow Z'd

A bit late in the year maybe but Im preparing to SORN my lovely Z till spring. Can you give me any advice on things I should consider doing to make sure I don't have too many issues next spring when I wake her up.

I was thinking it might be a good idea to disconnect the battery. Is this a good idea? Is there anything else I should do.

Cheers guys

Ren
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Buckz
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Z going to bed for the winter

Post by Buckz » Wed Dec 06, 2017 3:25 pm

put it on jack stands so tyres dont get shagged.

disconnect the battery or put it on trickle charger..
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Mr Tidy
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Z going to bed for the winter

Post by Mr Tidy » Thu Dec 07, 2017 12:01 am

Don't do it - use it all year! :lol:
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Z going to bed for the winter

Post by srhutch » Thu Dec 07, 2017 8:05 am

I flat the tyres to 50psi if you can’t put on stands.
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kis
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Z going to bed for the winter

Post by kis » Thu Dec 07, 2017 10:17 am

Dust cover?
Debate about the fuel level... I'd fill it up.
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Taz
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Z going to bed for the winter

Post by Taz » Thu Dec 07, 2017 12:32 pm

I prefer a trickle charger than disconnecting the battery

I would be concerned about putting a cover on it, is it being stored inside or out?

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Z going to bed for the winter

Post by Norwegian » Thu Dec 07, 2017 1:08 pm

Full it up and run it on Fuel Stabililizer, connect a charger via terminals in front once a month. Change Oil. Dont start it until spring, it just produce alot of water and dirt on plugs.

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chrisgreen
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Z going to bed for the winter

Post by chrisgreen » Thu Dec 07, 2017 2:01 pm

leave the handbrake off and put it on a trickle charger.

everything else is optional and marginal (if any) benefit. I would be scared to use a car cover in case any moisture gets in and cant get out again. Just a decent clean and wax/sealant.
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Z going to bed for the winter

Post by LordOxygen » Thu Dec 07, 2017 3:35 pm

Mine is in the garage since 1st Nov. (Back out first dry saturday next March) I bought a ctec mxs5 charger and extension cable after recommendations here, it is very good and means the car can be left locked / alarmed. Charger can be wall mounted which makes it neat and tidy.
Full tank of fuel
45psi in all the tyres.
Windows slightly open
Sheet of paper under the wipers
Light, breathable dustcover over the car.
That's it.
Oh yes, a massive detail before putting it away, wheels off, clay polish wax the lot.
4 months isn't that long so not worried about it.
It'll get a major service next spring.

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Z going to bed for the winter

Post by MrRenF » Thu Dec 07, 2017 5:15 pm

Cheers all for the suggestions.

The detailing side Ive got covered;-) love cleaning her.

Trickle charge sounds better than disconnection, I'll go with that option, thanks. Paper under wipers is a good thought, although Im not going to cover her up, so might go with a microfibre instead. Id love to lift her off the floor, but don't have any stands sadly. Why would I inflate tyres to 45psi? will this save the wheels significantly?

Cheers for the great advice. A few months isn't too long to wait Im sure! :(

Ren
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Buckz
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Z going to bed for the winter

Post by Buckz » Thu Dec 07, 2017 5:27 pm

MrRenF wrote: Thu Dec 07, 2017 5:15 pm Cheers all for the suggestions.

The detailing side Ive got covered;-) love cleaning her.

Trickle charge sounds better than disconnection, I'll go with that option, thanks. Paper under wipers is a good thought, although Im not going to cover her up, so might go with a microfibre instead. Id love to lift her off the floor, but don't have any stands sadly. Why would I inflate tyres to 45psi? will this save the wheels significantly?

Cheers for the great advice. A few months isn't too long to wait Im sure! :(

Ren
it will save your tyres, as they're going to be standing on the same spot for a few months.
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earthdweller
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Z going to bed for the winter

Post by earthdweller » Sun Dec 10, 2017 10:30 am

Buckz wrote: Thu Dec 07, 2017 5:27 pm
MrRenF wrote: Thu Dec 07, 2017 5:15 pm Cheers all for the suggestions.

The detailing side Ive got covered;-) love cleaning her.

Trickle charge sounds better than disconnection, I'll go with that option, thanks. Paper under wipers is a good thought, although Im not going to cover her up, so might go with a microfibre instead. Id love to lift her off the floor, but don't have any stands sadly. Why would I inflate tyres to 45psi? will this save the wheels significantly?

Cheers for the great advice. A few months isn't too long to wait Im sure! :(

Ren
it will save your tyres, as they're going to be standing on the same spot for a few months.
I’m struggling to see how modern tyres on a light car would be damaged ?

Tens of thousands of cars sit on car dealers forecourts for many months or in storage compounds sometimes for over a year without any issues ... I’m sure they don’t fill the tanks and overinflate the tyres

I think there is a real danger of overthinking this .. my car is in the garage .. it’s clean .. it’s covered and it’s on a trickle charge

If there’s a nice day it’ll come out otherwise it’ll sit there
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Z going to bed for the winter

Post by Beedub » Sun Dec 10, 2017 10:34 am

earthdweller wrote: Sun Dec 10, 2017 10:30 am
Buckz wrote: Thu Dec 07, 2017 5:27 pm
MrRenF wrote: Thu Dec 07, 2017 5:15 pm Cheers all for the suggestions.

The detailing side Ive got covered;-) love cleaning her.

Trickle charge sounds better than disconnection, I'll go with that option, thanks. Paper under wipers is a good thought, although Im not going to cover her up, so might go with a microfibre instead. Id love to lift her off the floor, but don't have any stands sadly. Why would I inflate tyres to 45psi? will this save the wheels significantly?

Cheers for the great advice. A few months isn't too long to wait Im sure! :(

Ren
it will save your tyres, as they're going to be standing on the same spot for a few months.
I’m struggling to see how modern tyres on a light car would be damaged ?

Tens of thousands of cars sit on car dealers forecourts for many months or in storage compounds sometimes for over a year without any issues ... I’m sure they don’t fill the tanks and overinflate the tyres

I think there is a real danger of overthinking this .. my car is in the garage .. it’s clean .. it’s covered and it’s on a trickle charge

If there’s a nice day it’ll come out otherwise it’ll sit there

honestly this......

if you standing the car for years and years ..... put the thing away, cover it up and trickle charge.... if its outside then maybe extra stuff will help in the dry garage with ventilation.... dont even things about it, just be pleased its away from the elements...
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markalp
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Z going to bed for the winter

Post by markalp » Sun Dec 10, 2017 11:47 am

MrRenF wrote: Wed Dec 06, 2017 3:14 pm Hi fellow Z'd

A bit late in the year maybe but Im preparing to SORN my lovely Z till spring. Can you give me any advice on things I should consider doing to make sure I don't have too many issues next spring when I wake her up.

I was thinking it might be a good idea to disconnect the battery. Is this a good idea? Is there anything else I should do.

Cheers guys

Ren
Instead of putting it away, why not keep using it, can't beat a crisp winter morning. Top down, heater on cool breeze in your face.
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brightonbimmer
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Z going to bed for the winter

Post by brightonbimmer » Sun Dec 10, 2017 3:48 pm

The main reason for overinflating the tyres is to prevent, or reduce, "flat spots". This is more for comfort during your first drive in the spring rather than any other reason, I think. Even if you do have some flat spotting, it quickly disappears after a short bumpy drive.
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