Is there anything anyone suggests I do when storing my XK8 in the garage over the winter? The car will be domant from now until March

 

Everybody's got their ritual. Do a search on topics like "winter" or "storage" to see some thoughts on this.

IMO, for three months, just a little extra air in the tires, a battery tender and (if needed) something to send the mice packing would be all that's required.

 

Don't forget the exhaust pipe. Critters like to store stuff in there.

 

A couple of things to try to prevent flat spots in your tires. Over inflate the tires for storage no more than 40 psi but be sure to deflate before driving in the spring. Put pieces of wood or rubber under the tires and once a month just move the car a foot or two to prevent a flat spot. Fill the gas tank to the top with premium gas. Put a trickle charger on your battery or disconnect it if you have the radio code. I try to start mine once per month for about 10 to 15 minutes to dry it out.

 

Why wood or rubber under the tires?

Also, gotta disagree with starting it. You're making the condensation problem WORSE by doing this, not better. leave it alone.

 

I agree with the no start policy. If you have new oil, I mean really new, just changed and run for a half hour (synthetic pref) then shut her down, that engine will have fewer acids and condensation than one started up in the garage or driveway every once in a while. You just won't get it warm enough like a good run on the highway to get rid of the moisture and you will start adding back the acids to the oil that you had changed.

A trickle charger will keep the battery up and healthy in the cold. These cars never really sleep with all the electronics in them so there is a bit of a draw.

Higher tire pressure may help with initial flatspots in the spring but they will round out when the tires get hot regardless.

I use an indoor car cover to keep the dust off and I ensure there are no mice, etc. in the garage.

I have also put down a plastic drop sheet on the garage cement to block any salts or chemicals in the concrete that might work upwards as vapour. Just seems a good idea.

You're good to go and now have to just start watching out the window for the snow to leave.

I also will not run it on the roads till after at least the first good rain to wash away some of the winter salt out there.

 

Wood or rubber has a little give in it and is softer than my concrete floor. My oil is changed just before I store the car and as soon as I take it out of storage I change it again. I am ususally able to take it out for a spin once a month after a good rain.

 

Not to argue, but that's just plain waste. Fresh oil before storage, don't start it, you're 100% in the spring.

 

DRIVE IT! Unless your in the snow belt and salt is on the roads for months then drive it.