I plan on driving it once every two weeks or so with the top down just to keep it exercised. It will be parked in a garage.

While parked in the garage, is it better to leave the top down or close and lock it in place?

thank you

 

I think it's better to have it up when you can as it prevents creases in the headliner and the top itself.

Have to admit though because I fit the extra cover I rarely take it off and put my roof up at all these days, and it still seems ok.

I would recommend if you do decide to store it with the roof up you get something to cover the roof with....... otherwise it gets very dusty and its not easy to clean. I have a cotton type car cover which is a disaster if the roof is up because the roof ends up covered in cotton fuzz. It does look quite cool though.....

 

During The Summer

As I keep my XJS in the Garage, I always leave the Top Down but with a Breathable Car Cover over the whole Car.

While its not hard to put the Top Down, I feel there is a lot less wear on the Hood (less folding up and down) and also its always a bit of a pain to have to keep putting or taking, the 'Tonneau' On or Off.

So if we get the urge to go out (me and the GF) I can whip the Cover off and then off we can go.

During The Winter

I am planning to do the opposite and leave the Hood Up for most of the time, then if a nice day comes out of nowhere like it can in the UK, then it won't be a problem to just drop the Top.

As I also have my Merc as my DD, I rarely drive my XJS with the Top Up.

 

There are a couple of things to consider with the issue of leaving the top up or down.

One is what type of material is your top made of? If it is the better quality non vinyl material you will be less likely to leave permanent crease type lines in the top material when the top is left down. My experience is the tops made of vinyl material are much more likely to damage when the top is left down and the material is left in a tight creased position.

Then second thing I think about is the concern of top material shrinking back when not in the up position. I have talked to upholstery shops about best way to take care of convertible top material and the things I heard over and over again is keeping the material clean , out of the weather as much as possible and in the up right position when not in use to keep the material stretched out.

Since most of us are able to keep our convertibles in a garage type environment when not is use weather and sun is not such a big concern so my thought is if you do leave your top down for long periods of time just watch and see how the material holds up. If you see excessive crease lines in the material that do not go away or if the top material seems to be getting tighter and not wanting to close easilyl then I would leave the top up more when not in use.

 

Thank you for the replies.

Mine is the original non-vinyl top that came on the XJS and it is still in very good condition, as the car has been garaged.

 

I love this car cover! Where can I get one?

Thanks!



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Hi Safari

Is this what you're looking for?

UNIONJACK CAR COVER FITS XK120-140-150 XKE-XJS-XKR ETC. | eBay

 

agreed, better on the top to prevent folds and creasing