Winter storage, drive or not to drive, that is the question?

[Warrior]

Due to the weather being relatively mild and with my Zed relatively sheltered from the elements, albeit on the drive i've dragged my heels and only just purchased an all weathers car cover.

I've read plenty of stuff about winter storage and have decided that I won't be putting it up on chocks, over inflating the tyres etc., but will give it a blast on dry sunny days which should also cover the suggestion that starting the engine and letting it idle for 20 minutes is more likely to introduce condensation and is frowned upon.

My dilemma is thus......... With the roads being heavily salted at this time of year it's inevitable that Zeddy will get a bit of the white stuff on her underbelly. Do I wash it off, thereby introducing moisture to a nicely warmed and dry but salty car or do I leave it as is and hope that the cover keeps it dry enough for the salt to have little effect?

The third option is to wash it and get the missus to lie on her back with a hairdrier for a couple of hours but she's not keen....

 

[board]

Re: Winter storage, drive or not to drive, that is the quest

Initially I had mine on the drive with a cover which worked well but did the same with an e36 which got mouldy inside as i didn't run that like the Z through the dry days in the winter. Now the Z stays in a garage through the winter, it's covered and has a maintenance charger attached to it but that's about all i do for storage (rightly or wrongly). I've been doing it that way for some years now and usually the first trip out is for an MOT so has a check over at the same time.

Slightly off topic but anyone fancy buying this M5? (

 

[simonbud100]

Re: Winter storage, drive or not to drive, that is the quest

The old car cover came out a few weeks ago, and after a good long run got covered until the worst of the weather passes. My only problem is that with the strong winds the cover has blown up over the bonnet and boot and is flapping about like a kite.

I don't have enough space in the garage to keep the Z, so it will have to stay out all winter, I might look into getting a better car cover, one that fastens the front and back as well as the two straps underneath.

 

[gookah]

Re: Winter storage, drive or not to drive, that is the quest

that M5 is already starting to rot..

 

[gookah]

Re: Winter storage, drive or not to drive, that is the quest

The third option is to wash it and get the missus to lie on her back with a hairdrier for a couple of hours but she's not keen....

and how exactly does that tie in with the car? x_x

 

[badman gee]

Re: Winter storage, drive or not to drive, that is the quest

The. M5 is amazing, I will have one one day s:ymdevil s:ymdevil s:ymdevil s:mrgreen

 

[hard top]

Re: Winter storage, drive or not to drive, that is the quest

The third option is to wash it and get the missus to lie on her back with a hairdrier for a couple of hours but she's not keen....

and how exactly does that tie in with the car? x_x

s:lol

 

[Jamezee]

Re: Winter storage, drive or not to drive, that is the quest

The old car cover came out a few weeks ago, and after a good long run got covered until the worst of the weather passes. My only problem is that with the strong winds the cover has blown up over the bonnet and boot and is flapping about like a kite.

I don't have enough space in the garage to keep the Z, so it will have to stay out all winter, I might look into getting a better car cover, one that fastens the front and back as well as the two straps underneath.

I have got a stormforce cover which I bought of another zedder, it fastens front back and underneath and the corners are elasticated and the cover is made to fit the zed3 models. I have used it and not a drop came through and the lining is breathable and soft so it doesn't scratch the paintwork, it is also machine washable. I think they are about £160 new but from what I have seen they are worth it. Only trouble for me is that mine is now in my fathers garage but I am hanging on to the cover for now. Oh I forgot it has its own storage bag and a padlock that fastens underneath to secure it.

 

[TaffZee]

Re: Winter storage, drive or not to drive, that is the quest

Drive it \/

Its only a Car, they do wash up pretty goods :-bd

 

[TWO]

Re: Winter storage, drive or not to drive, that is the quest

I checked the Zed today; that is in a 100% 'dry' garage storage with an indoor cover thrown over the top for good measure............and was surprised to find condensation on the inside of the windows within the car. :-o Moisture on the glass is obviously not a problem........it just made me wonder about the possibilities of dampness in the rest of the car.

Prior to storage; I remember washing the car, and allowing it to dry for several hours before polishing...............possibly not for long enougth.

It just goes to show that with the heat/cold variations in an outdoor garage; condensation can still be an issue.

To minimise the problem, I have just placed in the footwell a Tetrion 'Moisture Mate' consisting of Calcium Chloride Crystals to soak up any remaining moisture.

Besides installing contolled heating $-) Does anyone else have experience of the above problem, and how to avoid it?

 

[Jamezee]

Re: Winter storage, drive or not to drive, that is the quest

Nice pussy s

 

[z3cade]

Re: Winter storage, drive or not to drive, that is the quest

Yep get it out of the garage when its dry and use the thing x_x

Thinking about it your pic looks very similar to mine :-bd

 

[badman gee]

Re: Winter storage, drive or not to drive, that is the quest

Yep get it out of the garage when its dry and use the thing x_x

Thinking about it your pic looks very similar to mine :-bd

[/quote

not enough pussy in your garage liam s:razz

 

[TWO]

Re: Winter storage, drive or not to drive, that is the quest

Nice pussy s

LOL......saves on mouse traps!

 

[TitanTim]

Re: Winter storage, drive or not to drive, that is the quest

Mines tucked under 2 kingsized Wilkos bedsheets :ymhug:



Re condensation, do you leave the windows closed? I keep mine lowered a couple of inches and the hood unlocked and slightly open and never seem too get any condensation. :-?

Warrior, if your going too store the Zed then do just that, i.e. don't use it all, worst thing you can do is use the Zed, wash it then put back in storage now its cold and damp. You're better off just using it throughout winter but washing weekly and give it a good hosing underneath to remove the salt. Also bad if you do get salt on the Zed and then store where its reasonably mild in the garage as the warmth will accelerate corrosion.

Tim. s:lol

 

[Warrior]

Re: Winter storage, drive or not to drive, that is the quest

It's on a sheltered drive. By sheltered I mean away from vandals and the like, but it's also in an area that doesn't get the sun at this time of year.

I've bought a Stormforce cover but the car just hasn't been dry enough to put it on.

I opened the doors today and let the wind blow through to dry the condensation on the back screen and the central locking didn't seem quite as lively so i'll probably give her a run anyway.

I recommended and went to buy a condensation trap/dehumidifier from Halfords tonight but some t**t in a yellow zed bought the last one at the weekend. s:mrgreen

 

[TWO]

Re: Winter storage, drive or not to drive, that is the quest

I recommended and went to buy a condensation trap/dehumidifier from Halfords tonight but some t**t in a yellow zed bought the last one at the weekend. s:mrgreen

) Would that be me?............I just bought you a second one to keep yer happy. I hope you have it in the Zed by the morning :-bd

 

[Snoops]

Re: Winter storage, drive or not to drive, that is the quest

I know it's each to their own and if you want to store your cars up for months and not drive and enjoy them then it's that's absolutely your choice.

Me, I drive Zippy every chance I get and he's a hardy little thing. He's 12 yrs old, he's never been picked up on a single thing on his MOT ever and he's due to go again in Feb. The MOT garage say he's the most solid Z3 he's seen and he flies through every year. He lives in a garage when he's not being driven but he's driven all winter but he's always washed properly as often as I can. Oh... I work in a depot with approx 7,000 tonnes of grit salt in it and at this time of the year it's on the ground in bucket loads....

My philosophy, drive him and enjoy him, live for the day (and the drive) s

 

[Warrior]

Re: Winter storage, drive or not to drive, that is the quest

I know it's each to their own and if you want to store your cars up for months and not drive and enjoy them then it's that's absolutely your choice.

Me, I drive Zippy every chance I get and he's a hardy little thing. He's 12 yrs old, he's never been picked up on a single thing on his MOT ever and he's due to go again in Feb. The MOT garage say he's the most solid Z3 he's seen and he flies through every year. He lives in a garage when he's not being driven but he's driven all winter but he's always washed properly as often as I can. Oh... I work in a depot with approx 7,000 tonnes of grit salt in it and at this time of the year it's on the ground in bucket loads....

My philosophy, drive him and enjoy him, live for the day (and the drive) s

I can't work out what model Zed you have from your pic but mines a 3.0 Auto and skips around all over the place in summer until the tyres are hot, which can take 10 miles. Would be a fairground ride in winter, particularly with any suggestion of ice. )

 

[z3cade]

Re: Winter storage, drive or not to drive, that is the quest

Good on ya snoops :ymapplause:

Just get your zeds out and use them!!

8-x