Winter storage

[comports]

Hi All,

Now the weather is starting to turn cr*ppy I'm thinking of putting my CLK to bed for the winter (unless we get some crisp, dry sunny days) and was wondering the best way to do this. I would give it a good wash and polish and put it in the garage but think I need to cover it up as it gets very dusty in there. Is there a good cover I could use for it and would you suggest disconnecting the battery or anything if it's going to be laid up for say 2 months..?

Cheers

 

[fredfloggle]

Costco are doing a rather nice battery conditioner for about £27 plus VAT- I bought one to take to Indonesia for my Mini cooper. Better to keep the battery in condition - also change the oil before you start , and also make sure the coolant is in good condition.

Worthwhile also taking the weight of the wheels , save the tyres flatspotting.

 

[Fady]

I would get an indoor cover, and a battery trickle charger as mentioned. They are relatively cheap and you attach to the battery connectors and plug into the mains. Much more convenient than having to remove and then refit the battery. But I don't believe modern car tyres are prone to getting 'flat spots' (I never found this a problem when I had a car stored away for winter), so I wouldn't be too concerned about that. Rather than just putting my car away for the duration, I used to plan to take it for a drive about once a month. So on a nice dry day I'd take it out for an hour and them come back and clean it thoroughly before putting back under it's cover.

 

[fredfloggle]

But I don't believe modern car tyres are prone to getting 'flat spots' (I never found this a problem when I had a car stored away for winter), so I wouldn't be too concerned about that.

I believe that it depends on what the carcases are made out of , but since the car may get used occasionaly then this may not be an issue.

 

[comports]

Thanks Guys,

I probably will use it on the odd occasion if the weather if fair but plan to do most of my necessary driving in my RR for the duration. If I take it out a few times, is it still a good idea to use a battery conditioner..?

Anyone know what sort of cover to use. I don't really want to go to the expense of carcoons etc.. Just a decent cover to stop the dust.

Thanks

 

[fredfloggle]

I would - I'm really impressed with the unit from costco - I was going to use a normal charger in Indo with a timer for say an hour a day - but this still doesn't condition the battery .

 

[Ade B]

I would - I'm really impressed with the unit from costco - I was going to use a normal charger in Indo with a timer for say an hour a day - but this still doesn't condition the battery .

I found that continuous charging with an optimate didn't seem to preserve the battery on my trackbike (which may have been knackered anyway) - I'd suggest you check it every so often.

Fred, Where abouts in Indonesia you living? I've got family in Bandung.

Ade

 

[grober]

Personally I feel the more you can get air to circulate round your car the better. Unless there is the prospect of falling contamination ( e.g. bird sh**) the car will fare better without a cover which may help retain damp/condensation IMHO. Since corrosion is a temperature mediated reaction ironically cars that remain outside in the cold and in free circulating air rust less than those stored damp in a nice warm garage. The drier you can get your car the better before putting it in the garage,so washing it and then putting it inside may not be the best approach--get it thoroughly dry/hot first by giving it a long run on dry day. The battery conditioner is a good idea especially in todays electronic dependant cars.

 

[fredfloggle]

I found that continuous charging with an optimate didn't seem to preserve the battery on my trackbike (which may have been knackered anyway) - I'd suggest you check it every so often.

Fred, Where abouts in Indonesia you living? I've got family in Bandung.

Ade

I live in Malang JATIM -

 

[Ade B]

I live in Malang JATIM -

Not been there yet - we're planning a trip across Java next time we're over, we'll drop by for a Bintang

We try to get across every year or so but not been over this year and recent little one might put off the proposed motorbike trip from Bandung to Bali for a wee while.

Amazing country.

Ade

 

[Ted]

I 'winterise' by bike at this time of year. This is what I do

Wash the bike - allow it to dry thoroughly - even take it for a ride to dry it out.
Change the oil (and filter) start bike for a minute & let it circulate
Put a charger on it which maintains a 'float' voltage this keeps the battery slightly less than fully charged but results in less gassing.
Cover the bike with a breathable cover in my case a deticated bike cover, in case of a car I have used old cotton sheets. These should come close to, but not touch the garage floor (to stop them absorbing the damp).
Put a small dehumidifier under the bike. These are cheap frome Homebase, and the air which comes out will be dry and slightly warm. N.B. the colder it gets the less efficient they become. I also run this on a timer to save energy, although the one I have is only about 25 watts. You will need to empty the water container about once a week.
Thats it. I have sprayed parts of the bike with Autoglym engine detailer in the past, - its a sort of silicone spray, and washes off easily come the spring I'm not sure if it helps, but it gives me a warm feeling.

Thats it. For bike read shiny CLK

Works for me.

 

[jaymanek]

http://www.carcoon.co.uk/

i have the outside one..

 

[fredfloggle]

Not been there yet - we're planning a trip across Java next time we're over, we'll drop by for a Bintang

We try to get across every year or so but not been over this year and recent little one might put off the proposed motorbike trip from Bandung to Bali for a wee while.

Amazing country.

Ade

Please stop in for that Bintang ! Malang is half way to heaven.

 

[BTB 500]

My R129 is permanently on an AccuMate charger.

I also put a lightweight cotton cover on it if it's clean and dry. My garage is well ventilated, and unfortunately that does mean the car gets dusty quite quickly in windy weather.

The cover is a generic "semi fitted" one from eBay, which is fine (IMO) for indoors. Outdoors a fully fitted one is important to avoid it flapping around (which would eventually mark the paint).