Morning all,

I will be leaving this afternoon to go on a 18 day road-trip to California. The Jag will be in the garage during this time. Is there anything I need to do before I leave, or when I return to prevent any issues?

Thanks

Tim

 

I went on a 3 1/2 week long trip back to Indonesia and I had a house sitter when she did her weekly visit, to warm up the engine. All she did was start the car, let the engine warm up a bit, let the temp gauge rised up above the blue portion and turn it off.

I don't know if you need battery tender or anything like that ... My guess is I don't think so. Before that trip, I went on another extended business travel to Malaysia and Singapore for 2 1/2 weeks and nothing was done to the car, it just sat in the garage. When I got back, everything was fine.

If I were you, on a cross country trip like the one you were describing, I'd drive the Jag! I'm single, no kids, just 1 dog, and I pack super-light .... I guess maybe your circumstance a bit different .....

Anyway - have fun on the trip!

 

it might be a good idea to inflate your tires to the maximum pressure allowed by the tire (probably 45psi) and then deflate them back to normal when you return. that should help prevent the tires from getting flat spots. if you're concerned about the battery losing charge, just disconnect it, although I doubt if that should be a problem.

 

Thanks guys!

Bob, trust me if it was just me and the wife I would surely drive the Jag! We are going with the kids, fortunately the Range Rover is a great ride as well.

 

Sneak a few pics of the jag on your phone, to browse when you're missing her.

Or, set up your laptop with built-in camera in the garage with skype running on it, be sure to set the options to 'automatically answer calls', then you can skype your laptop using your smartphone and tuck her in each night. (best leave the garage light on too )

 

Provided the battery is known to be in good condition, for 18 days I wouldn't take any special action other than locking and arming the security so all the systems go into sleep mode.

My last 2001 XK8 was often garaged for up to four weeks at a time during the summer without any issues.

Enjoy the trip.

Graham

 

You couldn't pay me to take my Jaguar! 1) way too cramped inside and 2) way too much highway damage, rock chips, sandstorms, what have you. I don't even let my car get dirty!

Agree with GGG, 18 days is not enough time for real trouble to set in. If it's for a month or more, I consider taking precautionary measures.

 

I hate to throw cold water on the idea of running the engine to warm it up for a short time when it has to sit for a while. IMHO that is the worst thing you can do. It is extremely bad for an airplane engine to do that and even worst on a inboard boat engine. And cars are no exception along with motorcycles. When you start the engind and let it "warm" up and then shut it off you warm up the coolant. But you do not warm up the oil. Under that condition the engine will develope condensation in the crank case and acctually develope water in the oil and moisture on the metal parts in there is not good. If you feel you need to start the engine to warm it up when in stroage, even a few weeks storage, you should also drive the car to warm the oil up and boil away the water caused by condensation. I never just start any vehicle of mine with out driving it as well to heat the oil to full operating tempt. It is far better to just let the car sit.

 

Thanks for the tips guys! We are currently in Alabama.....

 

Tim,

Can't decide whether that's a progress report or a plea for help!

You must be travelling south West and around 800 miles into the trip at this stage?

Graham

 

For the past 4 years I have left my 2006 XKR in an unairconditioned garage in Florida for 6 months while I am in Michigan. The only thing I do is keep a car cover on it and disconnect the battery. It usually starts without a charge. Flat spots go away in about 5 miles. Also leave a 2007 MX-5 Mazda the same way and both have given no trouble.

 

Hilarious @ GGG! It was actually quite nice. We stayed in Birmingham. Vulcan park and the statue of liberty were great photo ops.

We are currently in New Orleans. Go Saints!

Thanks for the tip Pete; I will just have our neighbor leave it alone.

 

I don't know what you are planning to do in New Orleans but you can hardly go wrong with any restaurant.

I'd think that the French Quarter and Jackson Square should be right at the top of anyone's list.

There is a very good Aquarium and a Streetcar line that runs along the riverfront.

Everyone should visit Bourbon Street at least once. There are some pretty good music clubs there with traditional jazz and various other musical styles. Pat O'Briens is also one of the great places to visit.

If this is your first time there, it is unlike any other city in America, especially the French Quarter, which in some ways seems like a foreign country.

Interestingly, the architecture that you will see there is actually Spanish, as the original French Quarter burned to the ground and was re-built while the Spanish were in control of New Orleans. I am sure that you will have a great time there.

Good luck on your trip.

 

Thanks for the tips Kevin! We spent the day going to cemeteries and visiting libraries, my wife is a history buff so she was doing family research. We watched fireworks to end the night.

The next day we ate at a place called Dookie Chase that had great soul food and plenty of celebrity. We ended the trip with a visit to the French quarter and took my son to a voodoo shop. We have been in houston and currently are in Dallas. I will be checking out cowboys stadium in the morning.

I had only one issue so far....... my water heater is leaking at home. Great trip so far......

 

Took your son to a voodoo shop. When he was a teenager, I often thought mine had come from a voodoo shop.

I'm following this on the map so you must be up to around 1500 miles along the route. And just because I've always wanted to use this one:




Graham

 

Fantastic Graham!!