Putting my cat to bed

[Davib1951]

Having recently purchased my dream car I do not wish to see it rot over winter in the harsh Yorkshire moors weather. I am thinking of bedding her down just before the bad weather arrives, but would like to ensure she is in good health in the spring.
Battery
Tyres
Bodywork
fuel
etc
Any advice please
David

[D_Doran]

What year model is it? Any later than 02 and I'll offer to 'take care of it' for you in the much milder climate of Northern Ireland ... and if it's an 06 or later... you may never get it back!!!!!!

[Joza]

Hi David!

as my big cat will also be spending most of the winter in the garage, I've just got an Airflow Battery Conditioner to keep him up ready to drive.

Seems to work really well as has the addition of a big 'UNPLUG ME!' sign for the windscreen

[MarkyM]

I'd imagine that the 'bad' weather would last no more than 2 months unlike other countrieS who have it worse. been a while since I laid a car up...and now living in Somerset (where some 25yr olds have never seen snow) it'S unlikely...here's my checklist

Wash underbody to remove all dirt grime
Claybar exterior then use a cleaner wax and meguires 3 step
Nanoprotectant over the top
indoor fleece-lined cover if storing in a dry garage
Use up almost all of your fuel (remember it degrades after 3 months)
empty your washer fluid
vacuum car and treat Leather so it can really soak in
(if less than 3 months change oil prior to storage)
Over inflate your tyres (40 psi) and coat with litium grease
If longer than 2 months put car on axle stands still over inflate tyres but only by 4psi and coat with lithium grease
Ensure all drain holes work
Remove any carpet mats or any plastic or paper items from the car
Leave windows slightly open (only if completely secure)
Use a dehumidifier in your garage if possible
Use an airflow (as stated earlier)
Oh, WRITE EVERYTHING YOU'VE DONE DOWN COPY IT & KEEP IT IN TWO DIFFERENT PLACES

I'm sure here's other stuff but i've forgotten most of it

Regards

Mark

[Davib1951]

Hi Mark and Joza

Thanks for all your help and advice, looks like there is a lot more to putting these cats to bed than I first thought, better start preparing soon...never know when the north wind will start blowing!!

Two years ago we had over 36 inches of snow over a three week period, thinking about it, it might be easier just to move to the south west!

Thanks again

David

[MarkyM]

David I'd recommend it

Good scenery
Cheap house prices (I bought a 5 bed detached with detached double garage in an end of cul-de-sac with a large garden and a driveway I can put 8 cars on for £230k 3yrs ago!)

Downside is your not close to anything much and n the Summer you can't go out for the tourists

Mark

[mike020150]

That's a thorough list by Mark! However, I'd query the advice to treat the leather. During the Club seminar at the leather preservation centre the experts there explained that hide food style treatments are pointless on modern leather seats because the seats are plasticised during manufacture. Nothing can penetrate the surface layer. On older seats. the treatment should be carried out very sparingly. Apparently, the chemical bonds on the surface of the leather are damaged by the treatments. Very small quantities of hide food can be useful to soften the leather but it does so by breaking the surface chemical bonds. So, larger applications risk softening the leather too far and rendering it highly liable to tear and split. Just the thing we are all trying to avoid by taking care of our leather seats! Mike.

[Davib1951]

Thanks Mike, really helpful if not a little late. When I purchased my cat a couple of months ago the seats were a little worn so I have applied two generous helpings of hide food to help feed them, looks like I could have done more harm than good.

Thanks again though

David

[peterdpps]

All the advice is good but I think better advice is to DRIVE it all winter, walk when it snows and pressure wash when it stops!