I will be hibernating my F-Type V6S for the upcoming winter in an unheated garage with a Satin Stretch Coverking over it. Now I'm pretty sure that there be some days where the weather is just right - with no salt apparent on the roads - and I take it out for a spin. In the event I do not, my question is what precautions - if any - should I take for proper storage? Someone has suggested a battery maintainer (and if you concur do you have a recommendation which one?).

Surely new car dealers leave the vast majority of their cars totally out in the cold (without having to move every single one?)

Thanks in advance!

Best regards,
RJ

 

Here's a suggestion:

Battery Manager IV - Battery Care - Car Maintenance - Griot's Garage

FWIW, I used to have a 3rd Gen RX7 which would sit through winter outside (as at the time, I lived in a loft). All I ever did was pack it and cover it. There were no issues for the 3 months or so it would sit dormant (outside with only a cheapy cover).

 

Maine = lots of humidity


If you are going to store in an unheated garage, firstly is the floor concrete or dirt, if dirt then place a 10mil plastic sheet on the ground before parking to keep the humidity lower. Very important is ventilation, it's not the temperature but the humidity that will reek havoc. make sure there is plenty of ventilation.

Next make sure the garage is tight to keep rodents out, if not setup traps. Mice just love making nests in cars and chewing on the wires and upholstery.

Battery, you need to use a battery maintainer(ctek, battery tender, schaumacher....)

I have been storing my cars for the past 30 years.

Mice + Humidity + no battery maintainer = BIG PROBLEMS.

 

Appreciate the advice!

Floor is clean poured concrete (actually quite beautiful) and I have never encountered great humidity in my garage; certainly not in the winter. Not that I recall at least. As far as rodents go; never ever have seen even one in my neck of the woods, and certainly not in my garage.

Best regards,
RJ

 

Sorry for the stupid question but how would you suggest I hook this up to the battery? The link you kindly sent suggests 3 different ways...

Thank you!

 

Car dealers have to deal with battery problems all the time. Every one I've seen has a portable jump-start rig ready to go next to the sales floor for dead batteries.

 

I used these directions from Jag to install my Battery Tender Jr, except I didn't install a jack. I just leave the pigtail (with cap) where I can get to it.
http://www.mediafire.com/view/6gasar...arging_Kit.pdf


(This comes from the sticky at the top of the page for manuals, etc.)

 

I am in a similar position as the OP. Storing for about 5-6 months, but if I get a clear day I'd love to take her out. What about over inflating the tires (to minimize flat spots)?

 

The general consensus seems to be if you're going to store it, store it and leave it alone.

Certainly don't start her up for a short time to turn things over, if you do, make sure to give her a good long run getting everything up to temp.

Many many posts on here about rodent damage to interior, wiring harnesses etc so definitely one to watch out for.

 

Thanks Jim. When you suggest "store it, and just store" it is that with or without a battery maintainer"

Best regards, RJ

 

I put a few extra PSI (maybe 40PSI? don't recall) in mine for last winter's storage, no flat spots.

 

Regardless of what you do, flat spots aren't permanent, particularly on soft compound tires like these. As soon as they roll for awhile and heat up again, they'll disappear.

 

With the XJS, people said the biggest reason it had maintenance problems was that people wouldn't drive it for a long time. You might want to think about starting it and leaving it on for like 20 minutes at least once a week or something like that.

 

Isn't humidity generally much lower in the winter? I thought that's why people purchased humidifiers for use in cold climates.

 

+1 on the advice to letting it rest undisturbed. A battery tender is pretty much mandatory as there is a small but constant drain from the various computers in the car even after it's shut down and locked.

Nice discussion on the topic from the S-type section:

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/s...3/#post1084119

 

If you are concerned about flat spots, you could get something like this:

FlatStoppers

However, if the car is only going to be garaged for 3 months (maybe 4), I wouldn't be too concerned with the tires. Just make sure you keep air in them (as the garage cools the tires will have a lower pressure reading). Adding in some extra PSI as mentioned earlier is a good idea but also check on them every now and then (maybe once a month but not every day ).

 

I would not do this. It's more harmful than good. Unless you can drive the car (engine under load) up and down the rev range with both engine and transmission at operating temp for a reasonable period of time, just leave it at rest. Idling the engine wouldn't be doing anything for the transmission, differential, brakes, suspension, etc.

While true that cars not routinely driven tend to have more maintenance problems, that's more characteristic of cars that only get driven a few hundred miles a year for years on end (e.g. cars that do nothing but appear on perfectly sunny days, and run a few miles to "cars and coffee"). 3-5 months of winter storage isn't going to hurt a thing.

 

Yes and No, RH is high during winter 60-70% but when you heat the air to 70f the RH will drop to 20-35% but the outside air is relativity high around 70%

example, when it gets cold you find Frost on your car if left outside. Mainly because the air is reaching saturation.

 

Here is what I would also suggest you use.

This would be the best solution to ensure a safe closed envirment.


Car Capsule - Indoor Car Capsule

 

An inflated bubble will do nothing to address a damp environment.