Put my XK in the barn today, hard to do as the temps were 78 degrees, but come Wed, the high is in the mid 30's and typical fall/winter weather is here to stay.
Mine will sit for the next 6 months, usually see's sunlight near the middle of April. Cold storage and covered with a battery tender running, washed and waxed yesterday, dryer sheets in the trunk, under the hood and in the cockpit,, staybil in the gas tank about 7/8 full. Car is locked..
How long are others put away and do you do anything different ?

 

The only differences are I fill the tank, change the oil, pump up the tires, leave the windows down a crack and don't lock it.
And I haven't bothered with a maintainer, yet.

 

Here in southern California, we don't hibernate our cars for the winter, but every year this week, we take our 25 year old California Desert Tortoise, throw him in a small box (he's too big now for a shoe box like we used to do), and hide him away in our guest closet until the first day of spring. So he'll be coming out about the same time as our eastern brother's cars.

 

Put mine away over the weekend, similarly, weather was great here so I took it for a good long drive (hour and a half or so) on the backroads. Filled the tank, put some stabilizer in, checked the tire pressures, wiped it down with a duster (I had washed and waxed it a few days before), pulled it into the garage, hooked up the maintainer and covered her up. Mine will sit till mid April as well - I already miss it.

 

I have a garage queen and don't get many miles on it so I do an engine flush before the oil change and I lay tarps under to keep moisture from leaching up underneath. the than that, same as you and guy

 

Up on the lift, maintainer connected til april!:-)

 

Put mine away yesterday also. 72 degrees and sunny yesterday, winter storm watch today. Wisconsin... must be a nice place to live. However we did not change the oil, did not wash the car, no lift, no stabil in the gas, no cracked window. Did however do the dryer sheet thingy, hooked up the battery maintainer, parked it on plastic, put a mouse biscuit by each tire, surrounded it with predator eyes and left it unlocked. Time to bring out the other cats... Arctic Cat.

 

I just leave it in the garage plugged into the wall just in case the weather is warm enough to use it if I want to. Even a few years ago that wasn't the case but the way our winters are going, it looks very likely November 10th and it is a sunny 10 - 14°C (50 - 57°C) forecast for the next week. No salt on the roads here so far.

The downside is that the way our winters are going V8s will probably be banned sooner rather than later

 

All good advice here and elsewhere on the forum about how to put up an XK for the winter.

We're having a warm spell here and even as it gets colder, I am not willing to put the car to bed until snow, ice or salt/grit is on the roads. Due to climate change IMHO this is happening later in the fall.

Thanks all for the good suggestions.

 

If you can, find ethanol free gas to store your car with. When sitting for long time, Ethanol in fuel tends to absorb water, separate from fuel and corrode anything not hardened to take E85.

 

Premium gas down here is poison (ethanol) free. SinF does your premium up there have ethanol? Sure missed heading your way this spring to pick on some pike. Maybe next year.

 

I believe that many if not all fuel stabilizers are formulated to reduce the deleterious effects of ethanol on engine and fuel system. True, if you can find ethanol-free gas, probably best to use, but if not I think it makes sense to add a fuel stabilizer that is formulated to deal with ethanol.

 

Put mine in the garage last week.
Also called the insurance company to take it off my policy until next spring.

 

I hope to use my XKR this winter somewhat.
I have always put away my summer cars for the winter but this time I'm going to use my Jag when the roads are dry. With any luck This winter will be mild and I will be able to use it. HOWEVER! I am putting my Corvette away in storage today. I hate putting my cars in storage. It wouldn't be so bad if it was for only a few months but winter usually lasts six months. I have less than no use for winter.

 

I usually plug it in until I'm sure I'm not going to use it. I usually do winter projects on cars. This winter is coolant hoses on this car. My X100 is getting new convertible top hoses. Usually when done, i take the battery out, put it on two 2x4s and keep a battery maintainer on it. It's been a long time but i have had batteries leak and wreak havoc on cars and bikes and unnoticed for months at that, so if it's got acid to leak i pull it. It's overkill most likely.

On the x150 and x100 i test the key opens the trunk/hatch and then also block the latch with a junk towel to prevent latching.

I change the oil, do the dryer sheets, ensure the tires are about 5 over, gas tank full with stabilizer in the gas, and i wash it.

 

Here in Utah we supposedly have the "Greatest Snow on Earth", but I'll still drive when the roads are clear and salt-free, so there's no "put 'er to bed" for me. Heck, sometimes it gets into the 60-70 degree F range in January and February. Can't pass THAT up!

 

1 of 19, that may be true in your area, but I am not sure it applies in all areas of the US. Here is an excerpt from pure-gas.org, a website dedicated to identifying places where you can buy ethanol-free gasoline.



I think local stations here in northeastern PA have ethanol in their 93-octane, but I'd have to check to confirm.

 

Usually noted right on the pump. God help you if you have to ask someone in the store:-)

 

@mjsammon, I have USAA and they can switch the policy to "Storage" at a fraction of the normal premium so it is still covered should something happen while it isn't being driven. I'm pretty sure it still shows up as being insured in case your state requires continuous coverage. Whatever vehicle I'm not driving for a season goes in "storage" and I haven't received a notice from the state yet.
Your insurance company may have something similar.

 

I picked up my 2010 XK in December last year, no snow, no salt on the roads. Not sure when I'll put it away for the "winter". I enjoy driving top down, even in cold weather so I'll keep driving until we get some serious salt on the roads. Then battery tender, fuel stab., covered for the season.