Storing a car over winter.

[Daniel]

Afternoon.

So I was thinking today that when the winter decides to come around, I want to store the car away in the garage and buy an Estima to use through all the bad weather and transfer the insurance over from the MR to the Estima. But what do I need to do to the car to store it for roughly 3 months? It'll undoubtedly have to be rolled in and out at times to access stuff from the garage so I'm not too worried that the tyres are going to develop flat spots.

All recommendations welcomed.

[RX7]

Whoah Estima is a big old beast

Jeez thinking about winter already.....it's only June !!!!

My car was left for a year and hardly moved mate and the tyres are fine. In fact its probably been about 3 months since I used the Rex. Just keep rolling it in and out periodically.
See if you can use as much of the fuel as you can otherwise get some fresh stuff to put in when you start it again.
Charge the battery first before starting again. this is where you might have issues as batteries don't like being left
You could bring it outside and start it up and leave it running for 5 mins periodically.

Thats really about it mate. I also wouldn't change the oil before putting it away, I'd change it when you want to start using it again.

Just my thoughts mate.

[john B]

Storing a car over winter whats the matter with you live a little and scare yourself in the snow .

[Daniel]

Whoah Estima is a big old beast

Jeez thinking about winter already.....it's only June !!!!

My car was left for a year and hardly moved mate and the tyres are fine. In fact its probably been about 3 months since I used the Rex. Just keep rolling it in and out periodically.
See if you can use as much of the fuel as you can otherwise get some fresh stuff to put in when you start it again.
Charge the battery first before starting again. this is where you might have issues as batteries don't like being left
You could bring it outside and start it up and leave it running for 5 mins periodically.

Thats really about it mate. I also wouldn't change the oil before putting it away, I'd change it when you want to start using it again.

Just my thoughts mate.

Cheers Gareth, sounds pretty straight forward to me. I think leaving it to run for 5 minutes a week should be alright since it does need to be driveable to get it in and out the garage (nice and cramped in there) I'll leave a note in the cabin to buy new oil for 2015.

Storing a car over winter whats the matter with you live a little and scare yourself in the snow .

I've had my fair share of winter driving John, in fact with the blue MR I never missed a single day driving to work sideways. However since most of Thetford can't drive for shit I'd rather not risk some tit in a Saxo side swiping me. At least with an Estima I can still have sideways fun as well as cart more people around (and hopefully hit the track with it too )

[john B]

Ha ha now that on track would be good to see

[Daniel]

Inspiration for me.




Youtube link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8gdtMYLi3Q

[john B]

Lol thats funny not quitr what you expect from a humble people carrier. ....
What engines do they have in them ?

[Daniel]

Exactly the reason why I love them. Dads one was really fast for such a big lump.

They're a 2.2 turbo diesel but the rare ones are 2.4 supercharged with manual box. But even in auto form they're great.

[Stuart]

I remember when I first saw that video Dan, and I could almost imagine the crazed look in your eye when you watched it too! Could be fun if slammed and with suitable wheels etc

Long term storage is OK but my first thoughts would more be around the 'facility' itself rather than the car. It would really need to be dry or at the very least not damp. Also try to make your car unfriendly towards rodents who may want somewhere warm over winter. It would be a tragedy to find that your P&J got sitting tenants and had eaten through cables etc A few mouse traps or a cat should sort it

[Daniel]

I remember when I first saw that video Dan, and I could almost imagine the crazed look in your eye when you watched it too! Could be fun if slammed and with suitable wheels etc

Long term storage is OK but my first thoughts would more be around the 'facility' itself rather than the car. It would really need to be dry or at the very least not damp. Also try to make your car unfriendly towards rodents who may want somewhere warm over winter. It would be a tragedy to find that your P&J got sitting tenants and had eaten through cables etc A few mouse traps or a cat should sort it

Will bear that in mind, I do intend on sorting the garage out soon with regards to making it safer and re-clad the door etc. So that should take care of the cold/damp. As for rats/mice - good idea, I'll bung a couple of traps down.

You're not too far wrong in your perception Stu, I was in hysterics watching it. Goes to show that even a big lump like that can be fun, same Snetterton doesn't have an auto test area anymore!