Winter Care

J

Jabberwocky

Member
 Walsall
Hi everyone

I know that not everyone continues to use their Zed's during the winter months (well, northern Europe anyway!) and I wondered if any of you had any special advice on this topic.

In the past I have just put my pride and joy in the garage and checked the battery from time to time with a CTEK battery charger/conditioner and wait for the spring. Then, the other day, a chap I was talking to said I should drain the oil and all the cooling fluids. I told him I was only going to "store" the car for 4/5 months and he said "makes no difference". He also made some comments about flat spotting of tyres which is something I had never thought about in the past. Suddenly this advice has obviously had me concerned about what I should be doing and if past practice has potentially damaged anything.

Any thoughts or practical advice would be welcome...... :?

Thanks in advance
 
I think 4-5 months then certainly to overinflate the tyres is a good idea, but I'm not so sure about fluid draining for such a short period. Modern engines/ancillaries and fluids are much more compatible than they used to be
 
There was a thread on this not so long ago.

Seems very drastic to be draining off the oil and cooling fluids for 4-5 months rest. I wouldn't say that was required at all.

Have a search, see if you can find the topic... should give you all the info you need.
 
Wouldn't drain the fluids - something that is relevant to "classic" cars subject to a long storage, but seems excessive for a zed. Mine has been put away for 4+ months before, and I've never seen the need for draining off coolant/oils etc. I do add some extra air into the tyres, and rotate the wheels every few weeks though.
 
Thanks for all the good advice - makes me feel much easier. The particular point about the tyres is an interesting one. Should I still over inflate, with air) if the tyres are inflated with nitrogen in the first place?
 
Never had anything except bikes off the road for any length of time but I do keep hearing of people using a fuel stabiliser to stop the fuel going off.
I have had fuel go off in one of my bikes and its a pain, but not as much of a pain than if you had to drain a car fuel tank.
Other people say to brim the tank to stop any condensation rusting the inside, which again was a problem on bikes.
 
Nictrix said:
Never had anything except bikes off the road for any length of time but I do keep hearing of people using a fuel stabiliser to stop the fuel going off.
I have had fuel go off in one of my bikes and its a pain, but not as much of a pain than if you had to drain a car fuel tank.
Other people say to brim the tank to stop any condensation rusting the inside, which again was a problem on bikes.
Click to expand...
Thx Nictrix, all good stuff, I think the condensation issue is only for fuels containing methanol. I will continue to dig! :?
 
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