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Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Topic started by: darcy on 15 February 2011, 12:33

Title: good advice on putting car to bed for a few months.
Post by: darcy on 15 February 2011, 12:33

right tax is due at the end of the month but as i have no job anymore i have decided to take it off the road untill im sorted again.
so anyone got any good tips for when leaving the car and not driving it for a few months, as in empty the tank of fuel (good or bad) ect.
cheers Darcy

Title: Re: good advice on putting car to bed for a few months.
Post by: thai-wronghorse on 15 February 2011, 13:08

Id leave the handbrake off so that calipers or drums dont seize up. Depending on how long you plan to leave it standing id considering putting the car up on axle stands all round, that way your tyres wont go out shape and it'll give yor shocks and bushes a break.
Are you going to cover it up? Disconnect the battery? Will it be stored inside or out?

Title: Re: good advice on putting car to bed for a few months.
Post by: Mikester on 15 February 2011, 13:08

If its only a few months i would just sit it on the drive and start it every now and again. Then service it when u next put it on the road.

I would not put a cover on it, as it will ruin the paint normally in the wind, just avoid trees and wash it now and again.

Title: Re: good advice on putting car to bed for a few months.
Post by: Wayne on 15 February 2011, 13:14

Leave the handbrake off, and start, run it to operating temp every 2 weeks, don't forget it will need to be insured and taxed or sorn'd

Title: Re: good advice on putting car to bed for a few months.
Post by: Mikester on 15 February 2011, 13:36

+1

Title: Re: good advice on putting car to bed for a few months.
Post by: F17BAD on 15 February 2011, 15:55

can put a cover on but only a good one, they cost 200 quid plus, if not then dont bother

iv had a swift gti stored since 2003 /2004 and its on axle stands, no battery, handbreak off, cover over it (in a garage) all engine components seperatly covered as they are polished and iv left a window open a bit and put in those silicone bag things for caravans to stop stuff getting damp/mouldy etc

i run the engine now and again and make sure the levels are correct, she runs perfectly although when this car sees the light of day againj id give it a full re commissioning

Title: Re: good advice on putting car to bed for a few months.
Post by: thai-wronghorse on 15 February 2011, 16:22

Totally agree with the damp protection as it doesn't take long for the mould to creep in, especially on old cars like ours.

Title: Re: good advice on putting car to bed for a few months.
Post by: F17BAD on 15 February 2011, 17:25

y+eah mate its a must, the silicone things u can get for caravans are IDEAL and work..  with mine been in a garage i can leave a window oen which is even better, i also waxoyled the comlete underside of the car as those old jap motors are not built like the german stuff  :grin:

Title: Re: good advice on putting car to bed for a few months.
Post by: darcy on 15 February 2011, 20:21

well its going on the drive along side the eunos roadster (but the eunos gets a run every week or two so not stud around) but as the golf will not be taxed ect cant take that out :(
may just get a set of steels to put it on and sort the RXII as im not driving it.
where can i get the silicon ball things from??

Title: Re: good advice on putting car to bed for a few months.
Post by: F17BAD on 15 February 2011, 21:02

mines not same as this as i got mine from a camping shop but this sort of thing

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/3-x-INTERIOR-DEHUMIDIFIER-MOISTURE-DAMP-MOULD-CARAVAN-/280623647950?pt=UK_Campervan_Caravan_Accessories&hash=item4156790cce