Hibernating a car

Frynge

Car is being taken off the road at the end of the month and I won't be putting it back on the road until next June. Just wondering what prep should be done before it is parked up?

The car is an 06 BMW 630.

It will be declared off the road.
The insurance will be just fire and theft. ( I made that mistake in the past)
It will be parked in the garage the whole time.

Should it have a full tank of petrol or empty?
Should I disconnect the battery or leave it on?
It is due a regular service but the NCT is due in April so I was going to wait till June and have it serviced and NCT when putting it back on the road. Should this be ok?
Anything else that people wiser than myself would suggest.
Thanks.

charcosull

Might be a good idea to get it up on stands and take the wheels off. Tyres can go out of shape if left sitting.

Wibbs

From my recollection you leave fuel in the tank as it stops seals and the like drying out. Taking the wheels off and putting the car on axle stands would help preserve the tyres. Trickle charge running to the battery. Ideally starting the car every couple of weeks would be good.

I'd reckon the Classic car forum guys would be the ones to ask on this subject.

Frynge

charcosull wrote: »

Might be a good idea to get it up on stands and take the wheels off. Tyres can go out of shape if left sitting.

Jaysus, don't think there would be enough space in the garage to do that. The tyres on the car are 4 1/2 years old now so they are probably due to be replaced when it goes back on the road anyway. Car was bought with 4 new tyres and 90k it now has 117k on the same tyres.

ganmo

Handbrake off

pippip

Air flow through the car? Mould would be a possible issue.

Frynge

Trickle charger is €30 so will get that as the battery is only 6 months old. Handbrake will be left off and the windows down slightly.

CiniO

Frynge wrote: »

Should it have a full tank of petrol or empty?

I'd leave less than a quarter so when you start it up after a year, that you can top up with fresh one.

Should I disconnect the battery or leave it on?

Definitely. Otherwise battery will be completely drained withing few weeks most likely.
Disconnect it, and possibly recharge every few months with battery charger.

It is due a regular service but the NCT is due in April so I was going to wait till June and have it serviced and NCT when putting it back on the road. Should this be ok?

Yes, however NCT will be only valid until April 2017 even if you do it in June. Just a stupid system.

Anything else that people wiser than myself would suggest.
Thanks.

Pump up tyres to higher pressure than normal (f.e. 40-50psi)
If it's in indoor garage, leave windows a tiny bit open to prevent mould inside.
Also put a big bag of silica gel inside to keep moisure out.

If possible start it from time to time and give a short spin (even few metres outside garage and back will be better than nothing).

Del2005

Wibbs wrote: »

From my recollection you leave fuel in the tank as it stops seals and the like drying out. Taking the wheels off and putting the car on axle stands would help preserve the tyres. Trickle charge running to the battery. Ideally starting the car every couple of weeks would be good.

I'd reckon the Classic car forum guys would be the ones to ask on this subject.

No need to start it if it's on a trickle charger and even without unless you leave it running for at least half an hour your doing more harm, unless done outside and allowed to cool, as there's a chance of condensation forming which could cause corrosion and asphyxiation unless well ventilated.

If on axle stands no need to take wheels off and if not on stands over inflate the tyres to reduce the chance of flat spots.

In reality 6 month's in this country isn't that long for a car to be sitting, we've had some sitting longer with zero prep and bar the tyres been flat and needing a jump start they were fine.

hytrogen

If the NCT is in April why not try get it in now if it's in good nick & save having prep it in April for just a day? Unless you want to start the summer season earlier?
I know there's a backlog & tralalala but they are testing cars around the clock in most centres to free up the backlog.

Del2005

Frynge wrote: »

Trickle charger is €30 so will get that as the battery is only 6 months old. Handbrake will be left off and the windows down slightly.

Ask around your friends someone is bound to have picked up a Lidl or Aldi one and have it still sitting in the box. Must be more of their tools bought and never used than any other shop.

antodeco

I do this regularly. Handbrake off, windows open about an inch.

Connect a trickle charger I'd you can, otherwise, just disconnect the battery (be careful of radio codes, immobiliser).

Do an oil change next June. If you can give the car a bit of a polish now, do. It will save you a fair bit of cleaning later!

If you can roll the car small amounts once a month, it will prevent flat spots and suspension freeze.

Spray a bit of oil on locks, hinges, etc.

Stephenc66

For the car battery consider a battery conditioner one of theses are ideal for maintaining a battery over long periods of non use. And on modern cars keep radio codes etc. Handy to for keeping codes stored if you are changing a battery

Google "Car Battery Conditioners"

A good explanation copied from Deamon Tweeks website

"About Battery Chargers & Conditioners
Battery chargers and battery conditioners are ideal if you have a race / rally or classic car as they can spend a lot of time in the garage. A battery conditioner can be connected to the battery while the vehicle is not in use and will keep the battery in a fully charged state so that when you need to use the vehicle next, you can be sure the battery wont let you down. Battery chargers on the other hand are designed to charge up a discharged battery in a few hours and then be disconnected once the battery is charged. Some battery chargers also function as a battery conditioner so they are able to charge a flat battery and then keep the charge maintained without overcharging or damaging the battery."

Notch000

for a few months I woudent be worried about it, I have cars stored at home and they'll start and run just fine with no prep & the same fuel left in them for years. don't worry bout trickle charger, jump start car next time needed or charge the battery before hand.

Disconnect the battery, leave in gear with hand break off, leave a window , window slightly open (if garaged)

Stephenc66

The only down side to disconnecting the battery on a BMW 630 is that the Radio, Navigation, Time/Date and driving position (seat,steering wheel, mirrors etc if electric) all need to be reset or restored.

Nice just to be able to sit in turn the key and drive away

frozenfrozen

press the lock button twice to turn off the alarm tilt sensor there's a little battery in them that might run out after being left running for that long. should hear a second clunk of the lock

FirstinLastout

Trickle charger connected to the car.
Axle stands with tyres at correct pressure.
Drain petrol tank and let the car run dry so there is no fuel in the lines to cause deterioration of lines, filters etc. although less of an issue if the car is sitting up for only a few months.
Crack the windows but also crack the boot lid and bonnet.
Drain the washer reservoir.
Wash, wax and valet before putting her to bed.

Del2005

frozenfrozen wrote: »

press the lock button twice to turn off the alarm tilt sensor there's a little battery in them that might run out after being left running for that long. should hear a second clunk of the lock

On every car I've owned with remote central locking this has enabled the dead bolts, definitely want to make sure that it doesn't before laying up and possibly not been able to get back in.

Stephenc66

FirstinLastout wrote: »

Trickle charger connected to the car.
Axle stands with tyres at correct pressure.
Drain petrol tank and let the car run dry so there is no fuel in the lines to cause deterioration of lines, filters etc. although less of an issue if the car is sitting up for only a few months.
Crack the windows but also crack the boot lid and bonnet.
Drain the washer reservoir.
Wash, wax and valet before putting her to bed.

Draining the washer bottle a great idea. The smell of gone off washer fluid is pretty bad

ianobrien

I put the Escort away every winter and my storage regime is to run it down to less than a quarter tank of petrol, then to wash the car. Disenfect the insides (stops mould growing on the controls), leave the windows open two inches and put the car into a Carcoon with the handbrake off. The Carcoon has a trickle charger built in to power the Carcoon if there is a power cut.

Afterwards, its a simple fluid change, petrol top-up with a jerry can, fill the carb, tyre check for cracks and an initial slow drive left foot braking to clear the dirt off the brakes.

Jesus.

Just disconnect the battery and it'll be sound

power pants

left my car outside for 18 months , did nothing to it, left the handbrake on etc. Only thing I did was have a solar panel trickle charger for 10e

after 18 months , gave it a service and drove it

Frynge

Thanks for all the replys and suggestions. I will get her to bed at the end of the month and maybe post up a pic.

BreadnBuddha

I wouldn't leave windows open. Insects, spiders etc. Leave them closed and put moisture mate dessicant traps in the boot and cabin. Try Halfords or a caravan/camping shop.

Don't worry about axle stands either. Pump the tyres up to the maximum pressure specified in the owners manual, for a fully laden car, then add 5PSI. You'll be well within safe specs for the tyres and when harder they won't suffer flat spots, not in just 8-9 months anyway.

Charge the battery completely with a normal charger, then connect a maintenance charger, not a trickle charger. Pick something with a maintenance mode and make sure it's correctly sized for the battery.

Plastic fuel tank on those, so below 1/4 full will be grand. Top it up and drive it on when you're ready.

Give it a good clean inside as mentioned. It will help stop mildew/mould blooms when combined with the moisture traps.

If you have rubber floor mats, take them out.

Did I mention moisture traps?

If you have access to one, test the antifreeze to make sure it's good if the car is in an unheated garage and susceptible to low temperatures. That will depend on your location etc.

If possible, leave the car unlocked, in a locked garage.

Before you try to start it when you get back, check the battery is still full. If it's low (maintenance charger mis-sized/faulted etc), connect the full size charger and top it up before trying to start the first time. Even if the battery has gone low, it should still have kept enough juice going to keep ECU memories but trying to crank it over on a battery that's gone low without noticing it could be enough to cause you a load of hassles.

Enjoy wherever you're going and whatever you're doing until then, assuming it's not porridge. :pac:

Frynge

Must clarify I'm not going anywhere. The car is a second car that is being relegated to a summer car so this will become an annual event at the end of August.

Del2005

BreadnBuddha wrote: »

I wouldn't leave windows open. Insects, spiders etc. Leave them closed and put moisture mate dessicant traps in the boot and cabin. Try Halfords or a caravan/camping shop.

Don't worry about axle stands either. Pump the tyres up to the maximum pressure specified in the owners manual, for a fully laden car, then add 5PSI. You'll be well within safe specs for the tyres and when harder they won't suffer flat spots, not in just 8-9 months anyway.

Charge the battery completely with a normal charger, then connect a maintenance charger, not a trickle charger. Pick something with a maintenance mode and make sure it's correctly sized for the battery.

Plastic fuel tank on those, so below 1/4 full will be grand. Top it up and drive it on when you're ready.

Give it a good clean inside as mentioned. It will help stop mildew/mould blooms when combined with the moisture traps.

If you have rubber floor mats, take them out.

Did I mention moisture traps?

If you have access to one, test the antifreeze to make sure it's good if the car is in an unheated garage and susceptible to low temperatures. That will depend on your location etc.

If possible, leave the car unlocked, in a locked garage.

Before you try to start it when you get back, check the battery is still full. If it's low (maintenance charger mis-sized/faulted etc), connect the full size charger and top it up before trying to start the first time. Even if the battery has gone low, it should still have kept enough juice going to keep ECU memories but trying to crank it over on a battery that's gone low without noticing it could be enough to cause you a load of hassles.

Enjoy wherever you're going and whatever you're doing until then, assuming it's not porridge. :pac:

Easy way to test the antifreeze is to take a bit out and stick it in the freezer, we won't get below that till global warming gets hotter.

marklazarcovic

de humidifier egg,clean inside n out,stuff the exhaust with a rag to stop vermin,leave keys in the car( glove box etc) ,car unlocked,handbrake off,windows down a inch or so,leave a list of what you have prepped on the dash so you dont forget stuff you did to reverse process.

Del2005

marklazarcovic wrote: »

de humidifier egg,clean inside n out,stuff the exhaust with a rag to stop vermin,leave keys in the car( glove box etc) ,car unlocked,handbrake off,windows down a inch or so,leave a list of what you have prepped on the dash so you dont forget stuff you did to reverse process.

Why would leave the keys in any unattended car?

zurbfoundation

One tip for moisture in the cabin that causes mould is get one of those paint trays u use with rollers and fill it with cat litter probably a fiver a bag from lidl. This soaks up all the moisture. Worked fine for my carina. Caravan owners do this in winter also.

marklazarcovic

Del2005 wrote: »

Why would leave the keys in any unattended car?

he said itl be in a garage,easy forget or misplace keys in 6 months

Jesus.

Frynge wrote: »

I will get her to bed at the end of the month and maybe post up a pic.

Not sure this is the right Site for that mate :P

Sh1tbag OToole

A normal charger will do, just give it a blast of charge every few months. No need for a special trickle charger.

Put a few old sheets over the car. If only less than 1 year I wouldn't worry bout the tyres