Leaving car over winter

[DGH-ST202]

Hi all,

 

So I'm done with shows for this summer and put the car away over winter and so forth.

 

I have always been told to leave it on a full tank, I filled it up last night to the brim but my closest e5 petrol station is 30 mins away so it has 30 minutes of 60mph ish driving not in the tank.

 

Should I get a jerry can to top it off or will realistically it be okay for over winter like 4-6 months maybe? I heard because of condensation and I live in Wales so always terrible weather.

[Old Red Celica]

Storing it inside?

[DGH-ST202]

3 hours ago, Old Red Celica said:

Storing it inside?

Leaving it outside but with car cover on I don't have a garage

[Old Red Celica]

You will need your paintwork to breathe, some covers actually cause micro blistering. I've never bothered to fill the car up with fuel, I'd be tempted to jack it up to help the tyres from getting flat spots. IF you can get 240v to it, use a trickle charger.

[DGH-ST202]

2 minutes ago, Old Red Celica said:

You will need your paintwork to breathe, some covers actually cause micro blistering. I've never bothered to fill the car up with fuel, I'd be tempted to jack it up to help the tyres from getting flat spots. IF you can get 240v to it, use a trickle charger.

I got a batterry charger I been tending to disconnect the batterry for safety also and if it don't start just charge the batterry. Got the cover from halfords it's quite loose like flaps around in wind if that's ant difference. 

 

Would you suggest i put the car on 4 axle stands or can I over inflate them or under inflate them instead? They're pilot sport 5 on them so don't want to ruin them too,

 

Thank you mr

[Old Red Celica]

Flapping covers rub on the paintwork. You can't win.

[Xanadu]

You could also add a bottle of fuel stabiliser to the petrol.

[shelby-65]

Get a tailored breathable car cover, jack up on to axle stands, trickle charge or remove battery and use a fuel stabiliser. Don’t bother with full tank and don’t forget to leave handbrake off but in gear.

[slybunda]

Only need enough fuel to keep the pump submerged that way it won't get seized up.

[bazz54]

I appreciate that you are trying to protect the car, but that being the case, I think it is very early to take if off the road prior to winter. Cars like to be used and non-use leads to failure, like brakes rusting and seizing. If you leave the battery connected, it will discharge and eventually damage the battery. Re-charging a fully discharged battery never recovers the original capacity and reduces the life of the battery a lot.

 

I think my view is that if you cannot get it inside a building, you are best keeping it running; just don't take it out when there is snow/ice/salt around, and in recent winters, that has been a very few days. Apart from my Gen7, my other car has a set of winter tyres and so that is the workhorse in winter, but I never actually take the 7 off the road for more than a week or two as I have don't have a dry place to store it.

Edited 29 August 2024 by bazz54

[DGH-ST202]

11 minutes ago, bazz54 said:

I appreciate that you are trying to protect the car, but that being the case, I think it is very early to take if off the road prior to winter. Cars like to be used and non-use leads to failure, like brakes rusting and seizing. If you leave the battery connected, it will discharge and eventually damage the battery. Re-charging a fully discharged battery never recovers the original capacity and reduces the life of the battery a lot.

 

I think my view is that if you cannot get it inside a building, you are best keeping it running; just don't take it out when there is snow/ice/salt around, and in recent winters, that has been a very few days. Apart from my Gen7, my other car has a set of winter tyres and so that is the workhorse in winter, but I never actually take the 7 off the road for more than a week or two as I have don't have a dry place to store it.

That's fair I just struggle to financially afford to run 2 cars in ijsurance and tax as celica is only my fun little toy show car

[slybunda]

Can confirm non use is a bigger issue. I dont want to take my fiesta off the road otherwise I know it won't be going back on it.

[DGH-ST202]

31 minutes ago, slybunda said:

Can confirm non use is a bigger issue. I dont want to take my fiesta off the road otherwise I know it won't be going back on it.

Yeah from what people saying I may try give it a few days go in 2 or 3 months maybe so it's not too long