Laid up - Advice

[AntStark]

So, it was decision day today. Do I re-tax or lay up my zed for the next few months.

Fortunately a quick glance out of the rain spattered window made that decision a touch easier and she is now SORN'd

Having never laid up a car before what is the usual procedure to ensure everything still works once the sun comes back out ?

The zed will be garaged. I assume handbrake off. Do I need to get a trickle charger, do I disconnect the battery, how often should I start it/run up to temp ? Roof up or down. Cover or not ?

Any advice on your cars normal bedtime routine would be great. thanks

 

[DomiMik]

My usual bedtime routine before winter storage:

• clean the car, treat all rubbers and seals with appropriate products
• increase tire pressure to avoid tire deformation and/or roll the car back and forth occasionally if you have the space in your garage
• warm up the engine before parking the car and don't start it during winter storage to avoid condensation
• disconnect the battery and recharge it occasionally or connect it to a maintenance charger
• don't open the roof, especially if it's too cold in your garage, the rear window could crack. I personally close the roof completely
• handbrake off !

I guess there will be more advices soon, these are the most important steps for me though.

Regards
Dominik

 

[andyglym]

So, it was decision day today. Do I re-tax or lay up my zed for the next few months.

Fortunately a quick glance out of the rain spattered window made that decision a touch easier and she is now SORN'd

Having never laid up a car before what is the usual procedure to ensure everything still works once the sun comes back out ?

The zed will be garaged. I assume handbrake off. Do I need to get a trickle charger, do I disconnect the battery, how often should I start it/run up to temp ? Roof up or down. Cover or not ?

Any advice on your cars normal bedtime routine would be great. thanks

There's a page in the handbook, sorry, I don't have it to hand. Yup, a battery tender such as a C-Tek or similar, handbrake off, fill up the fuel tank, overinflate the tyres. Oil and filter change when she comes out of hibernation. Something like that.

 

[mwpe]

http://www.bmwz3club.fr/site/doc/manuel_Z3.pdf

Page 140.

I prefer to keep using it.

 

[AntStark]

Thanks folks…manual seems a little excessive …and probably as expensive as taxing/using it

 

[gookah]

yes as the manual advises, always make sure the windscreen washer bottle is topped up.
can do untold damage to.. errr ..the.. err, and errr.
sod it, just tax it and drive it

 

[AntStark]

Rapidly coming to that conclusion