Car Lay Up

Help with your car lay up:
It's time to put your pride and joy toy away.
This article will hopefully help you protect your car while stored, whether over winter or just for safe keeping.

Car Storage:
The best thing for your car lay up, is to store it in a nice clean, dry environment. Ideally de-humidified and water free. However I've owned 35+ year old cars, kept outside due to the garage being full of my other junk and know how much work it requires to keep it in show condition.

Car Covers:
Many companies sell good exterior car covers (buy the best you can afford). However understand that with a lot of wind and constant putting on and taking off that they will eventually deteriorate and need replacing. In fact if water gets underneath and trapped for days, weeks or months, it can turn your car into a bucket of rust! And that is worse than not having a cover in the first place. Another thing to watch out for is chaffing on the bodywork (mirrors, bumpers, spoilers) from cheap covers. Dust covers are a good idea for cars kept in a garage.

If you plan to have the car off the road for more than 3 months without moving it, you may be better off removing the wheels and placing the car on axle stands. If not make sure the tyres are fully inflated and check them regularly, best to move the car regularly to avoid flat spots and cracking of the tyres.

Leave the car in neutral with the handbrake off and put a chock block in front and behind the wheels.

If you decide to start the car up, make sure you run it up to temperature for atleast 5 mins, as you need to burn off any moisture produced on start up. If you can get to drive the car – do so, it is far better to drive the car for 5-10mins to free things up – clutch and brakes being the main two. It also allows you to burn some fuel up and add some fresh fuel, as old fuel can oxidize.

Bodywork And Underneath - Protect it:

• Ok the first thing you must do is store your car as clean as possible
• Make sure it's Washed and waxed
• Use a conditioner/wax on any leather/vinyl/rubber (seals)
• Clean all dirt/mud etc from underneath the car – jack the car up if needed and spray a little waxoyl
• Spray waxoyl in the doors, any gaps in the bodywork and any exposed and hidden metal
• Chrome – apply a thin layer of wax or oil (messy choice) to protect it
• Grease/oil all joints, locks, latches - get a grease gun for old cars with grease nipples

Engine – Protect it:

• Make sure you have the correct mix of anti-freeze and it's topped up
• Clean oil would be good
• Spray WD40 over any chrome engine parts to protect from moisture
• Keep the battery charged up. You can use a trickle charger or remove it and store it then use a battery charger
• Loosen auxilary belts (if not driving for a long time)
• For long lay ups – you may want to remove the spark plugs and add oil into the cylinders, or even just spray WD40 into them. Then put the plugs back in
• grease the battery terminals to avoid corrosion

Further Advice:

• Don't forget the interior, make it nice and clean and place a moisture absorbing desiccant packet around the car (boot, glovebox etc)
• Note any code for coded radios/stereos
• Any changes/work done to the car, should be noted and kept somewhere so you know what you have done
• Remove wiper blade/place cloth underneath
• Empty the washer bottle
• Consider SORN - Statutory Off Road Notification
• If laying up and not driving it for a while you may be able to get a discount for the insurance
• Consider security – add a steering lock, wheel clamp, remove wheels, battery and lock it up securely

First Start Up After A Long Lay Up:
Check the:

• Tyre pressure and condition
• All Hoses
• All Wiring
• All Fluids
• Start the engine first by removing a plug (this allows the engine to turn over and get some of the engine oil round before you actually fire it up). Then replace the plug and start the engine. You can also try turning the engine over by hand first. Before driving off, check that you have pressure at the brake pedal and you're happy that the car can be driven

Why Not take a look at the general car maintenance article as well.

Return To The Car Care Main Page!

Return To Performance Car Guide Homepage From Car Lay Up