Advice for laying up a car

[Partridge]

Best to avoid driving on wet salt-laden roads immediately before parking up.

I actually didn't think of that, thank you...

[sierraman]

Don't follow the advice of running engine for 5 mins or so every so often... If you are going to run the engine its best to warm it through thorough.

[Partridge]

^^

Noted. Nor will I run it up and down the drive every now and then, I have no intentions of running the battery flat.

[EssDeeWon]

I would just take the battery off and leave it indoors for the month, trickle charge it at some point.

 

Thats all I done when laying up the old SD1 from November through to April. It also acts as some added security for the motor, and keeps the battery in better nick being at room temperature rather than cold and damp for a month.

[inconsistant]

Has anyone mentioned disconnecting the battery?

 

I would also remove the tin of icing dusted travel sweets from the glovebox in case they bind.

[PiperCub]

Disconnect battery (remove & charge) - as ES1 said, good anti-theft method too!

Put another 5psi in the tyres to help against flat spotting (less of an issue with low profiles tho)

Handbrake off, in gear, wheel chock in

Can put a dehumidifier inside if you wish

 

That's it really, as others have said it's not some vintage affair nor is it going to be off the road for that long so no need to go overboard.

[mercrocker]

Its not a bad idea to keep that disconnected battery charged up so that you can put it back in every 3 to 4 weeks and completely operate all the electrics.   Surprising how once-fully-functional switchgear often develops a fault after a few weeks of no power.   I may also be over-killing on this but I never leave a battery connected in unattended vehicles.   Its not likely to self-harm and catch fire if you do but its almost impossible for it to happen with no battery connected.... 

I run my tank right down but put a bit of fresh stuff in before it goes away, that way you can fill up when its back in use and have 95pc fresh gas.

 

My van always winters over in a barn and I do get it out every 5/6 weeks and run it round the yard, fully up to engine temp, heater on full etc.   Oh, and over-inflate the tyres by a few pounds doesn't hurt either, preferable in my view to axle stands.   With camper vans, too, the advice about travel sweets is quite relevant.   I put mine away once after a nice autumn day out and left a pastie in the cupboard.    It still smells a bit in there now.   Which leads to my last point - if its at all possible crack a window open or two.

[Keymaster]

Haven't fired my camper up for a month or so. Went out just now to run it round the block, but won't be as the battery is flat... another vote for disconnecting the battery!

[RobT]

Never mind the sensible advice, we need pics of the Rovah to perve over...

[Skizzer]

What is a 'moisture absorber'?

 

A couple of old paint trays full of cat litter is the shiter's way.  

[lisbon_road]

Loads of good ideas totally mostly over the top for a short period.  Only thing I'd add is to hold the clutch pedal down to stop the clutch from sticking.  This is six month stuff though.  Some clutches seem to stick others don't in my experience, but can be a right pain if they do.

[Lord Sterling]

No way! Good choice of car Partridge.

 

Don't think there is anything I can add with regards to car laying up. I've just laid up Ma's Micra for a few weeks whilst she recovers. I took it for a wash, parked it up and stuck a large tarpaulin over it. It'll hopefully keep the elements out, I should have disconnected the battery and left it in gear but hey ho.

 

If you can possibly drop your Nan's driveway after a couple of weeks, I'd start it up and run it up to temperature, maybe move it up and down driveway. With my 827 Sterling I used to take it for a cheeky drive around the estate where it was parked. Wouldn't reccomend it like.

[mercrocker]

Plus one on the cat litter - cheapest and most effective stuff for drawing moisture out.   Just rake it about like Tibbles does if it looks a bit damp....Yes, I know its only a planned four week park up but these things sometimes have a habit of being far longer.   I left a car with a mate for a week or two and never went back for a year.   He was cool with it but the car wasn't - it took six weeks to get it back on the road.

[derskine]

Tray of cat litter on the back seat to absorb moisture.

[Pillock]

Nobody's mentioned disconnecting the battery yet, so that's my suggestion.

 

Also, cat litter.

[2Thumbs]

Put the car in gear and/or chock up the wheels and leave the hand brake off.

 

Disconnect the battery, cold weather isn't going to do it much favours.

[theorganist]

Loads of good ideas totally mostly over the top for a short period.  Only thing I'd add is to hold the clutch pedal down to stop the clutch from sticking.  This is six month stuff though.  Some clutches seem to stick others don't in my experience, but can be a right pain if they do.

I can concur regarding clutches.

 

If I don't drive the Princess for a week the clutch sticks. It has been sitting on the drive for the last two weeks needing an alternator. It's going to be fun when I take it to get it repaired this week!