Definitive Guide to Winter Storage of Zed

[inkey$]

Been searching posts from the past few years and there doesn't seem to be a real consensus on this. From what I have read, the following is the combined thoughts for winter storage of 3-6 months in a garage...feel free to rip this to shreds, dont shoot the messanger (again this is taken from a combination of posts) and please suggest your own thoughts or definitive guide.

This needs a list for both outside (private) and street storage and at the moment is under M Specific but could apply to all.

GARAGE STORAGE: 3-6 MONTHS
- Oil and filter service if not done recently.
- Don't worry about filling with petrol as the tank is plastic.
- Dont park with the handbrake on. Preferably in gear/with chocks.
- Never start the car and run every so often as it will do more harm than good.
- Dont worry too much about flat spots. They are performance tyres and any ill effect that occurs will disappear after a proper run in the spring.
- If you are worried, over inflate to 40-50psi
- If you're really worried then get the car on axle stands but really it's not necessary.
- Connect a battery conditioner such as a CTEK to keep things nice and charged.
- Dont cover if indoors as it could cause condensation and damage. If you do then something light and cotton based.
- Top up with antifreeze.
- Wrap wiper blades in cling film or move out from windscreen.
- Rag in exhaust(s) and air intake to prevent rodents making a little Bavarian house.
- Wash, clean and store dry, never damp.

TAX & INSURANCE
- Not necessary to do either if on your private property.
- Risky if no insurance but potential to get cover added through standard house policy.

 

[Ewazix]

Looks pretty thorough, I'd certainly cover indoors but only with a proper soft breathable job, and avoid pressure jet washing before laying-up even if you think you dried the car the water gets in places you don't want it and will sit there doing it's thing. A brake re-build and electrical gremlins taught me that one on a previous car

 

[DR-Z]

Or alternatively, drive it on those nice crisp winter mornings!

 

[StevenH72]

- Oil and filter service if not done recently.

What constitutes "recently"

- Never start the car and run every so often as it will do more harm than good.

Could you elaborate on this a bit please? I'm completely hopeless with anything technical, but am thinking of storing the Z for 3 months. What harm does this do?

 

[Bing]

Antifreeze always confuses me - there is antifreeze in the coolant, right ? So no need to add more antifreeze, or am I being stupid ?

 

[-Tom-]

- Oil and filter service if not done recently.

What constitutes "recently"

- Never start the car and run every so often as it will do more harm than good.

Could you elaborate on this a bit please? I'm completely hopeless with anything technical, but am thinking of storing the Z for 3 months. What harm does this do?

You'll struggle to get the car up to true operating temperatures and likely to just build condensation up in the exhaust system. Also on tick over you won't get a decent oil circulation which can add to increased wear and tear ... I'm sure there's a lot more to add

 

[inkey$]

- Oil and filter service if not done recently.

What constitutes "recently"

- Never start the car and run every so often as it will do more harm than good.

Could you elaborate on this a bit please? I'm completely hopeless with anything technical, but am thinking of storing the Z for 3 months. What harm does this do?

Recently = last 6 months?
Start car and tickover/rev for a while = causes havoc with those engine pars beyond my capability :lol:

 

[inkey$]

Antifreeze always confuses me - there is antifreeze in the coolant, right ? So no need to add more antifreeze, or am I being stupid ?

No, i think thats it Bing.

 

[StevenH72]

- Oil and filter service if not done recently.

What constitutes "recently"

- Never start the car and run every so often as it will do more harm than good.

Could you elaborate on this a bit please? I'm completely hopeless with anything technical, but am thinking of storing the Z for 3 months. What harm does this do?

You'll struggle to get the car up to true operating temperatures and likely to just build condensation up in the exhaust system. Also on tick over you won't get a decent oil circulation which can add to increased wear and tear ... I'm sure there's a lot more to add

Cheers Tom.

 

[saskia]

My mc is not a weekender its for driving anytime apart from diabolical weather. Looking forward to a 260 mile run next week to Norfolk and back a few days later , wondering how many cars I'll overtake !

 

[inkey$]

My mc is not a weekender its for driving anytime apart from diabolical weather. Looking forward to a 260 mile run next week to Norfolk and back a few days later , wondering how many cars I'll overtake !

Answer=3. You'll be in Norfolk.

 

[GregZ4]

Drive It - Don't keep it in a garage........



:evil:

 

[mr wilks]

I would def brim the tank to the max , , condensation can still occur & contaminate what fuel you do have in the tank whether metal or plastic :?
I would also agree on the not starting it up theme .
Recently had our 330d for sale for 10 weeks through July/Aug , ,on trickle charge but still started up & gently revved every 3/4 days . .
So the day comes for buyer to view , i take car from garage a few hours before to have a drive around & the smoke was scary , , ,
great plumes off the stuff it was like a scene from The Railway Children as i drove up the road fortunately all clear after 5 mins but a lesson learned with long period of not using a car :wink:

 

[CornishRob]

Umm, maybe use it as it was designed!

Therefore no need to lay it up.

Unless this was a roadster only topic...

 

[Adamski]

Unless this was a roadster only topic...

Nope. But apparently Winter Storage is "M Specific"

(At least it must be, or the thread wouldn't be in this section... would it inkey$? )


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[inkey$]

This isn't a roadster only topic; just one that might help those of us considering storage as we have more than one car and might want to drive our zed in summer months.

Not saying I'm going to do this of course, still undecided, but useful guide in case I or anybody else decides it's what we want to do with our cars. Not stopping anybody taking theirs out for max miles this winter

 

[inkey$]

Unless this was a roadster only topic...

Nope. But apparently Winter Storage is "M Specific"

(At least it must be, or the thread wouldn't be in this section... would it inkey$? )


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It would be good to know if there's any M specific issues that would need addressing. I'm guessing not though and this was posted here through habit more than anything else!

 

[Adamski]

You'll need two more socks for the Ms additional tail pipes

 

[inkey$]

You'll need two more socks for the Ms additional tail pipes

on the list.

 

[cj10jeeper]

IMHO for 3-6 months there's really no need at all to Winter prep a car, beyond either trickle charging the battery or disconnecting it, leaving handbrake off and ensuring it remains dry and aired.
Simply not long enough to bother. for more than 6 months I'd be doing lots of the things listed.

One thing these days is if the tax expires you have to SORN the vehicle. No excuse about being off the road or garaged.