I am now the proud owner of an xk8! Always loved them and now finally have one. Not yet had the chance to drive it personally as I’m currently abroad and not back until January for a month.
My question is, as I work away 3 months at a time what advice can you give me ref storage?
I’m planning on buying a cover (and recommendations?)
I’ve heard to put it on jacks slightly to take the weight off tyres and suspension.
Not sure what to do with the battery and anything else I should do?
thank ou

 

Welcome to the forums Jim,

As you haven't posted an Intro and there's no vehicle details in your forum profile or post, I'll take a guess at the situation:

1. Location: UK (from IP Address)
2. Model & Year: 1998 XK8 (from other posts)

If this is correct, you aren't looking at the type of storage that our Canadian members have to do. However, if you are planning on driving it in January on salted roads, some underbody cleaning is advisable afterwards rather than letting it stand until Easter.

Apart from a suitable storage location, the main thing is the battery. Put it on a CTEK if possible instead of taking the battery off for remote charging as this can cause more bother than it's worth when you come back.

Graham

 

Jim,

Really need some more details to exactly help you - car details (convertible/coupe), location etc. The requirements for storing the car vary a lot depending on the prevailing climate - Forum members are all over the USA, Canada, UK, Puerto Rico, Italy and ….. IMHO one has one most difficult - street parking in New York (really scary! LOL)

Is this related to the car you looked at your previous thread? You're based overseas and only home once every 3 months, so you're not looking at long term deep frozen winter storage like some Forum members in the USA and Canada.

In the UK, rust is your killer.... plus possible theft. So a locked covered garage parking is essential, and preferably with some form of climate control. Your coolant should have the right water/anti-freeze mix (including the wiper fluid).

A porous car cover would be good, as it won't let condensation ruin the car and the cover should close the exhaust pipes. Damp, mould and rot are the enemies. There are some mould control devices (ozone emitters) you could try in the garage. A pest control sound emitter would be a good addition to the garage to keep rats away. Don't leave perfume scenters/air fresheners in the car when it is in storage and open the windows just a small bit to allow some ventilation.

+1 to GGG - after winter driving in the UK's salt laden roads, wash the undercarriage to get rid of road salts. Car should be stored dry though! Never wet.

A good quality modern battery tender/charger is a necessity, but it's not a leave it/forget it item. Any battery on charge should be periodically checked in case of malfunction. That way the car can be locked (using the key). Make sure you have the black master key to get into the boot via the manual key lock within the badge logo.

If the car is only in storage for 3 months, there's no need to jack up the car on stands and/or inflate tyres etc and there's no need for fuel stabilizer to the tank. I would suggest filling the petrol tank full before laying her up though.

Newspaper under the windscreen wipers helps stopping them sticking. Wiping down all the rubber door/bonnet/boot seals will help stop them sticking/ripping (there are some "magic" lotions that suppose to keep rubber supple - IMHO I've not had enough experience with them to see if they really do work!)

Storing the car is always a good time to condition/moisturize the leather and the interior.

Take the hand brake off too and brick up the wheels.

 

Mouse poison in the boot (trunkJ and inside the car. I speak from personal experience, here!