car cover

[crig]

Can anyone recommend a car cover for my 126 which will have to stay out over winter in wet / windy conditions thanks

[drcdb15]

Unless your car is actually leaking water into the interior the better option is to leave it out in the open. If tree sap, bird droppings etc are a concern, give the car a good thick coat of car wax, but don't polish it up. Be generous in filling seams especially on upper flat areas such as roof and bonnet so that water is repelled. Spray the engine bay and the front boot interior with ACF-50 or similar from makers of WD40 etc.

When you get a good dry day through the winter, check the car over and if it needs it give it a light polish, then wax it again. I presume you'll be running the engine periodically to keep the oil dry and the battery charged. I generally do this every two weeks, run the engine for 30 minutes to put enough charge back into the battery to compensate for the drain on it from starting.

If you do resort to a cover, then remove it entirely at every possible chance to allow air to circulate and dry out the underside. The best option overall seems to be a car port.

[crig]

Thanks for the great advice - carport not possible so will wax / start up etc thanks again .

[drcdb15]

Also remember, if the car is not going to be moved, then park it with the wheels chocked and the handbrake OFF. Brake drums can seize almost immovably solid in winter after standing unused for as little as about 10 days, so keep the handbrake off. However, if you have the facility on the drive or in the road where you won't get nicked for driving uninsured/no tax etc, once the car is started up, just drive it backwards and forwards a few yards and apply the brakes, including the handbrake, This will help to keep the cables and pivot links lubricated and free, and also wipe any rust off the brake surfaces before it gets too heavy and causes pitting. For the handbrake, pull it on to its fullest travel, on and off a few times, again just to keep things moving freely.

Any car lasts longest when it is regularly used, and when air circulates around it to dry out condensation and dampness. The nearest you can simulate that during the storage period the better. Even opening the car up for just ten minutes once a week is better than leaving it open a whole day but only once a month.

[crig]

thanks again for advice - much appreciated .