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2003 - 2009, roadster, coupe, facelift
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jabber
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Post by jabber » Sun Oct 08, 2017 1:04 pm

As I am unable to drive for 3 months I have sorned the zed and she is outside with an outdoor cover and on a ctek trickle charger with the handbrake off, the question is how often should I start it up and run it up to temperature or should I just let it sit
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Post by Scooba_Steve » Sun Oct 08, 2017 3:00 pm

I wouldn't start and idle it; for 3 months just keep the battery charged up and over inflate the tyres (above normal road but not above their max), unless you will jack it up and rotate them periodically.
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Post by MT94 » Sun Oct 08, 2017 3:06 pm

Hi there I have always though running a car without driving it even up to temperature can be bad for the exhaust as it can cause rust and can make the CCV clog up with oil mayo due to condensation, as long as you have the battery on trickle charging and the handbrake is off like you say, you should be fine I would try and take the car off the ground to stop the tires getting flat spots from being sat in one place other than that a oil change before you drive it again and a nice fresh load of petrol and you’ll be fine I’m sure.

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buzyg
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Post by buzyg » Sun Oct 08, 2017 3:43 pm

3 months of not driving your Zed. :cry:
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Post by srhutch » Sun Oct 08, 2017 4:00 pm

Scooba_Steve wrote: Sun Oct 08, 2017 3:00 pm I wouldn't start and idle it; for 3 months just keep the battery charged up and over inflate the tyres (above normal road but not above their max), unless you will jack it up and rotate them periodically.
This, pumping the tyres to around 50psi should do the trick.
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Post by Smartbear » Sun Oct 08, 2017 4:13 pm

srhutch wrote: Sun Oct 08, 2017 4:00 pm
Scooba_Steve wrote: Sun Oct 08, 2017 3:00 pm I wouldn't start and idle it; for 3 months just keep the battery charged up and over inflate the tyres (above normal road but not above their max), unless you will jack it up and rotate them periodically.
This, pumping the tyres to around 50psi should do the trick.

But that’s normal running pressure according to Busterboo? :D
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Post by brightonbimmer » Wed Oct 11, 2017 2:15 am

I would also suggest that you top up the fuel tank, and add some fuel stabilizer.
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Post by brightonbimmer » Fri Nov 17, 2017 8:33 pm

The fuel stabilizer is especially important it your fuel contains any ethanol, by the way.
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Post by G600 » Fri Nov 17, 2017 11:42 pm

I really don't think you need to do anything apart from the charger and handbrake, every year I leave a classic parked up (inside admittedly) with 28psi in the tyres and whatever fuel was left in the tank still there, been fine like that every winter for the last decade. As for the cover I'd rather wash it occasionally than risk a cover chaffing the paint in the wind.
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Post by cj10jeeper » Sat Nov 18, 2017 10:48 am

G600 wrote: Fri Nov 17, 2017 11:42 pm I really don't think you need to do anything apart from the charger and handbrake, every year I leave a classic parked up (inside admittedly) with 28psi in the tyres and whatever fuel was left in the tank still there, been fine like that every winter for the last decade. As for the cover I'd rather wash it occasionally than risk a cover chaffing the paint in the wind.
Agree - all the other suggestions are a waste of time and effort for 3 months. Handbrake off ctek on and start her up in 3 months.
I leave jeeps parked up for a year with no issues whatsoever
If you were talking 6+ then for sure start to think about all this stuff
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Post by Havard » Sat Nov 18, 2017 10:57 am

As above. For the sake of 3 months I would only be concerned about the battery. Good coat of wax and handbrake off if you must.

Not sure if I have ever left a car for that amount of time but some 6 week stints when I had the Supra. I always tried to move them occasionally. Even if it was just around the block.

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