I only have my top down when I drive my XK. I have always done that on cars with convertible tops. I never leave it down for extended times. My neighbor has a similar car and she puts the top down when summer comes and it stays down all summer. I have always thought that was bad for tops as it causes severe wrinkling. Both of our cars are only toys and only driven when the weather is nice. So whats better?

 

I would think that if you only drive when it's nice, you will always have the top down and if it's wrinkled up, in the garage, who cares?

 

Wouldn't it be best to garage with the top up but not latched? It would keep the fabric relaxed but also not subject it to bend stress.

Still got an epix?

 

The manual says not to leave the top down for extended periods of time, especially light colored tops, to prevent soiling on the folds.

Personally, I don't do it to prevent creasing.

 

I guess I am too **** about my car I love the idea about not latching the top. That's when most of the strain on the hoses from what I understand and less likely to have a leak in latch. Thanks Plums for the suggestion.

 

We bought our 2006 and the tan top shows marks on what would be the sail panel (area behind the rear windows). Appears to be causes by mechanicals underneath the top and know this car was a pampered toy, so guessing top was left down most of the time. I like the idea of top up but not latched when not in use.

 

BTW, an additional benefit of the relaxed top up position is that it offers more air circulation to prevent that other problem - mold and mildew.

 

I may leave mine down in the garage for a few days at a time but always latch it when up. I've had tops in the past that would shrink a bit if left down for extended periods and would be a PITA to latch again. If I'm going to drive several days or longer with the top down I'll lay a towel in each fold to keep the top from rubbing against itself and leaving marks.

 

Years ago when I had my first convertible (1963 Corvair Spyder), the old-timers then would offer the advice to always unlatch the top when the car was safely in the garage again. The reason was just that - to prevent the top from stretching and losing that nice tight-as-drum feeling, making it flop about when driving down the highway. My top was already stretched out, and had three crossways knife cuts above the driver seat so that it would never pull tight, so that I just ignored those instructions then.

But now, with my month-old (to me) 2001 XK8, one of the things I marvelled about it when I first saw it was how nice and tight the top fit. And I know the previous owner didn't fart about loosening the top latch in the garage overnight. Materials today are so much nicer than the vinyl stuff they used to use in the 60's, I just don't think it makes that much difference anymore. I like Beav's observation, perhaps now the material is more likely to shrink anyway. If I want air ciculation, I'll just leave the windows cracked.

But all that being said, I enjoy reading all the opinions here. Quite a difference from the Lexus forum where everyone checks in with their custom-made soapboxes and shouts down the dissenters. In a nice way of course, but it gets so tiresome reading the same c**p all the time.

Steve8

 

... ahh, but the followup was not addressed to cabin air circulation. It was aimed at the idea of leaving the top folded whenever possible. Cracking a window does not address moisture in the folded top.

The scenario is that the car gets caught in rain, owner raises top, but being a habitual top down person, the owner folds it down as soon as possible. Probably while damp, even if it is dry to the touch. The risk of mold and mildew is much higher when the top is folded habitually. California drivers of course might not feel the same degree of caution.

 

steve8, I agree with you on the 'newer' tops, specifically jaguars design (ok, so the hydraulics weren't the best) as I rented many convertibles in the years preceding my purchase, and I was VERY pleased on how tight the top was (no 'pillowing' at all!) and how very quiet and insulated it was...good quality in that regard. Even today, 8 years old, it only has a little wind noise from the a-pillars and from the rear window...no idea what that is about, but high crosswinds make it sing on the freeway.

For me, top up and latched when not in use. I don't like getting dust on the dash and light colored seats if I can help it.