Winter storage tips / protocol

[David2269]

New Stag owner here (Mk2 - LD44858), just looking for tips on the best winter storage protocol. The car is garaged. What are the best things to do to minimise any issues? Fuel additive, regular starting, etc, etc. Thanks in advance.

[Goldstar]

pump the tyres up to about 40 (or put on axle stands), soft top up, fuel tank full and use a stabiliser if you prefer (full tank should be ok) and don't use a cover, use a waterless wash occasionally instead. 3 or 4 Mouse traps with nutella on them (in a bait box if you have pets) around the car should keep nibbly critters at bay. If we get a dry day with no salt on the roads, drive it

[Goldstar]

Oh and get a CTEK battery thingy to trickle charge it while laid up or just make sure its fully charged and take the -ve lead off the battery

[Stag About Town]

I keep my pressures around the top end of normal, about 30 psi ,and just move the car half a rotation every now and then if it hasn't had a run. Re the battery, I have a CTEK but prefer to use an isolator on the negative pole which keeps the battery up ok for long periods with no drain. Got nervous about electrics left on after a tank leak flooded the garage once. New tank but still a bit wary.

[Philip Wardle]

I find found that wheel dollies seem to help prevent flats on tyres - originally I got them just for moving the car around during its rebuild. Still worth going to 30 psi or maybe just a tad higher though.

wheel dollies.jpg

[Paul Kelley]

Generally as per Goldstar above. Drive it approx once every two weeks if possible, salt and grit permitting. You could consider a dehumidifier in your garage, on a timer for a few hours during the night when humidity is at its highest, i.e. typically above 90% most of the winter.

[Rigid]

I find found that wheel dollies seem to help prevent flats on tyres - originally I got them just for moving the car around during its rebuild. Still worth going to 30 psi or maybe just a tad higher though.

wheel dollies.jpg

I bought a pair of these for exactly the same reason and then discovered my garage floor isn't smooth enough to roll them about. Unless I just need to eat more Weetabix.

[Philip Wardle]

I bought a pair of these for exactly the same reason and then discovered my garage floor isn't smooth enough to roll them about. Unless I just need to eat more Weetabix.

I admit to having the same problem in the garage at home, the dollies work much better on the smooth floor in the workshop where the car is over wintering. It wasn't too bad at home until we put the engine and gearbox back !

[jbuckl]

I spray joints and seams / joins with WD 40. Also underbonnet.

Wash it off in the spring.

Pretty certain it’s made a good paint job last 22 years plus.

Start up every 3 weeks. Run up to temperature, usually 12 minutes. Vary revs < 3000; choke off asap usually 1 minute.

So far never had tyre issues after lack of use… but change every 5/6 years.

[Paulfrazer]

I can concur with the advice to start it regularly. Possibly lulled into a false sense of security by my previous classic - a Rover P4 which would start easily after being left for months I tried my Stag this week after not having used it since September due to family illness. It really didn't want to start until I used lots of Easy Start and a hot air blower on the carburettor intakes. It is now back to bursting into life straight away but I won't leave it for so long again.