Laying up the car ready for winter

[GM6VXB]

Doubt if I will get many runs out in the car until next spring, so wondering what most do to
get the car ready for laying up over winter. Already had a few high winds with the usual salt
spray, and know the councils around here do like to treat the roads in liberal amounts of salt.

Presently looking at doing oil changes on engine, gearbox, and rear axle.
Do I leave water/antifreeze in, or drain the system.

Body and underside have been cleaned, so not sure if worth giving it another coat of
'Lanoguard' or similar.

Going to jack the car up and put it on axle stands, so tyres will not end up with flat spots.

Leaving the hood and side screens up to keep the inside fairly clean.

Battery is on a conditioner so 'should' be ok over winter, but always worth checking.

Got a fairly good car cover, but during the winter gales we get a lot of salt spray (enough to
coat house windows so you cannot see through them), so wondering if there is a better protective
solution. 
Was wiondering if worth putting a small heater under the cover, but obviously a fire risk.
Garage unfortunately is not heated and even with all doors closed can be a bit draughty.

Any other suggestions ?.

Martin.

[David Stepney]

Sounds as if you intend to do all the right things to lay the car up.

Yes, I would coat the cleaned underside with a good wax rust preventative and cover the coachwork over with a cover. I use a couple of old duvet covers as dust sheets as they allow the paint to breath.

And, yes, my garage is draughty, but this ensures that the air can circulate and prevents build up of condensation.

[John Cornforth]

Hi

One thing I would add is that if the car is parked over a concrete garage floor, these can attract condensation on odd occasions when the weather suddenly goes warmer. A layer of old carpet and/or cardboard laid down as insulation seems to help. Forget about heaters, a small fan would probably be a better use of the electricity to keep air gently moving.

Keep the antifreeze in, draining dates back to pre-antifreeze days and might even allow any sludge to solidify.

I never run the engine when laid up, it does more harm than good unless you actually take the car out for 10 miles or more.

Keep an eye on the battery electrolyte level from time to time

Set mouse traps !

[Ivor Hawkins]

All sensible advice, I can’t really add any more other than to say I use my Seven all year round (great fun in the snow!) and just keep everything as clean as I can underneath and moving parts well greased.

[Howard Wright]

All sensible advice, I can’t really add any more other than to say I use my Seven all year round (great fun in the snow!) and just keep everything as clean as I can underneath and moving parts well greased.

+1

I used to worry about preservation and longevity of my cars but I now believe that the biggest damage done is by not using them!

Cheers

Howard

[David Stepney]

All sensible advice, I can’t really add any more other than to say I use my Seven all year round (great fun in the snow!) and just keep everything as clean as I can underneath and moving parts well greased.

+1

I used to worry about preservation and longevity of my cars but I now believe that the biggest damage done is by not using them!

Cheers

Howard

I agree, but I try not to use my car in the most inclement of weather.

[Denis Sweeney]

My thoughts are like others here, use them or lose them. I try to use Ruby as often as is practical, throughout the year.
I do have a dehumidifier in my garage which I use in winter and does prevent condensation collecting on the body and on the engine. It never ceases to amaze just how often I need to empty the bucket which I collect all the water extracted from the atmosphere in the garage.

[andrew34ruby]

I drive mine from time to time during the winter, but it's the salt that North Yorkshire Council apply with gay abandon that worries me. And I have my dehumidifier draining through a hose through the garage wall.

[Chris KC]

Martin, you are far more diligent than I am.
I drain my radiator but that's about it (unless it has fresh antifreeze in it, in a high concentration, which is unlikely). 
Jacking the car off the ground undoubtedly preserves the tyres.
An old sheet thrown over the car will stop dust and crap building up. 
Draughty is no bad thing, and cold does no harm as long as the coolant is either out or up to the task.
Damp is not good, but under no circumstances would I leave any kind of heater on in the garage long-term (if only due to the cost). 
Remain vigilant for signs of rodents nesting...

[Reckless Rat]

Rodents can definitely be a problem as in the winter they're always on the lookout for a cosy place to nest up in, and the interior of an Austin Seven can be a very desirable residence. Ideally what you need is a "Horreo" - it's a little building found in Galicia in Spain, designed for storing and drying corn and apparently, rodent proof due to the elevated design. I spotted lots of them on my run to Santiago.



This is my RP parked up while I took the photo, you can see another one in another garden further up the road.



Not sure how you'd get the Austin in one though!