Car Health while away
May 11th 2018, 9:21 am
#1
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Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 123
Car Health while away
Does anyone have experience of leaving a car for 3 summer months while returning to the UK? We want to know if we should buy a cover for the car to protect it from the sun, dust, etc. It will be in a driveway behind a wall and gate, not on the street. Can we use a tarpaulin - much thicker but cheaper - instead of a car cover which all seem to be paper thin UPV?
Thank you.
Thank you.
May 11th 2018, 9:58 am
#2
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,675
Re: Car Health while away
Does anyone have experience of leaving a car for 3 summer months while returning to the UK? We want to know if we should buy a cover for the car to protect it from the sun, dust, etc. It will be in a driveway behind a wall and gate, not on the street. Can we use a tarpaulin - much thicker but cheaper - instead of a car cover which all seem to be paper thin UPV?
Thank you.
Thank you.
May 11th 2018, 10:43 am
#3
Just Joined
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20
Re: Car Health while away
Hi, Prior to moving to Spain permanently, we used to leave our car behind for months on end. Luckily, we had a carport to leave it under, so can't comment about car covers/tarpaulins, but I would recommend that you disconnected the battery, because you will encounter a very flat one on your return.
May 11th 2018, 11:05 am
#4
I still dont believe it..
Joined: Oct 2013
Location: 12 degrees north
Posts: 2,777
Re: Car Health while away
Car covers can be dangerous. They are fine if
1, the car is thoroughly cleaned before they are put on
2, they are constructed with a soft interior - most of the good ones feel a bit fleecy
3, they breathe moisture but are strong enough in a strong wind - usually means a laminated construction with tiny holes in the waterproof layer
4, the car is left slightly open to allow moisture to escape
5, they are securely attached
6, if left on the road that any parking cpz sticker etc is visible, and that the license plate is visible - or it can be towed if they cant prove its there legally
its about making sure the paint isnt scratched, that mould etc cant build up anywhere. If you cant assure this, better to not cover it or find an exposed car port and just protect it from uv. If its in cold weather get a solar trickle charger - but it has to be plugged into the cars diagnostic port or you have to add a live always connection. Cigarette sockets are usually disabled if the ignitions off.
you can go further - if its for a really long time, take the wheels off, and ideally put them in a cool air conditioned place so the tyres survive [it data centres are ideal and are used in scandinavia for winter/summer wheel swaps] and you can change the oil, remove spark plugs, spray a little wd40 and turn the engine over to prevent over corrosion of the cylinders, and wd40 brake disks [obviously wash off before use] though this is a little extreme for some climates.
1, the car is thoroughly cleaned before they are put on
2, they are constructed with a soft interior - most of the good ones feel a bit fleecy
3, they breathe moisture but are strong enough in a strong wind - usually means a laminated construction with tiny holes in the waterproof layer
4, the car is left slightly open to allow moisture to escape
5, they are securely attached
6, if left on the road that any parking cpz sticker etc is visible, and that the license plate is visible - or it can be towed if they cant prove its there legally
its about making sure the paint isnt scratched, that mould etc cant build up anywhere. If you cant assure this, better to not cover it or find an exposed car port and just protect it from uv. If its in cold weather get a solar trickle charger - but it has to be plugged into the cars diagnostic port or you have to add a live always connection. Cigarette sockets are usually disabled if the ignitions off.
you can go further - if its for a really long time, take the wheels off, and ideally put them in a cool air conditioned place so the tyres survive [it data centres are ideal and are used in scandinavia for winter/summer wheel swaps] and you can change the oil, remove spark plugs, spray a little wd40 and turn the engine over to prevent over corrosion of the cylinders, and wd40 brake disks [obviously wash off before use] though this is a little extreme for some climates.
Last edited by uk_grenada; May 11th 2018 at 11:12 am.
May 11th 2018, 11:14 am
#5
I still dont believe it..
Joined: Oct 2013
Location: 12 degrees north
Posts: 2,777
Re: Car Health while away
The full procedure above is used in the tropics when storing cars longer term, though usually placed in a garage not under a cover.
May 12th 2018, 10:58 pm
#6
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Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 123
Re: Car Health while away
Thanks to all for the guidance and advice.
May 13th 2018, 8:40 am
#7
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Joined: Aug 2005
Location: Beckenham, London borough Bromley
Posts: 1,617
Re: Car Health while away
Hola
I owned my last car for over ten years - and it lived in Spain without a cover - I would suggest that your car doesn't need anything to survive summers or winters here.
Davexf
I owned my last car for over ten years - and it lived in Spain without a cover - I would suggest that your car doesn't need anything to survive summers or winters here.
Davexf
May 13th 2018, 8:19 pm
#8
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,878
Re: Car Health while away
Ah but does yours sit unused for any length of time ? 3 months not moving is not good a car :-)
May 14th 2018, 4:46 am
#9
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,980
Re: Car Health while away
Take the battery out and get a plug in timer and trickle charge it a hour or more daily.
With the car on stands and no battery its far less 'nick-able' too !
Any of the above advice from uk-grenada can only make it better.
Jon
https://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/how-to/a3894/4302788/
Last edited by Jon-Bxl; May 14th 2018 at 5:25 am.
May 14th 2018, 7:03 am
#10
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Joined: Aug 2005
Location: Beckenham, London borough Bromley
Posts: 1,617
Re: Car Health while away
Hola
The OP was talking about the three summer months and specifically summer months and UV or damage from the sun. I would submit it is entirely different if you leave your car for longer - say six months plus - than a simple three month stint.
There are cars worth lots of pennies bought as investments that are kept for many a long year but the techniques used to stop deterioration are costly and to restore back to "usable" condition cost again.
If you regularly leave your car for periods of three months then yes there are simple tips to help keep its condition; but as a once off or even every summer is a lot different.
Davexf.
The OP was talking about the three summer months and specifically summer months and UV or damage from the sun. I would submit it is entirely different if you leave your car for longer - say six months plus - than a simple three month stint.
There are cars worth lots of pennies bought as investments that are kept for many a long year but the techniques used to stop deterioration are costly and to restore back to "usable" condition cost again.
If you regularly leave your car for periods of three months then yes there are simple tips to help keep its condition; but as a once off or even every summer is a lot different.
Davexf.
May 14th 2018, 7:52 am
#11
BE Positive
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,980
Re: Car Health while away
Hola
The OP was talking about the three summer months and specifically summer months and UV or damage from the sun. I would submit it is entirely different if you leave your car for longer - say six months plus - than a simple three month stint.
There are cars worth lots of pennies bought as investments that are kept for many a long year but the techniques used to stop deterioration are costly and to restore back to "usable" condition cost again.
If you regularly leave your car for periods of three months then yes there are simple tips to help keep its condition; but as a once off or even every summer is a lot different.
Davexf.
The OP was talking about the three summer months and specifically summer months and UV or damage from the sun. I would submit it is entirely different if you leave your car for longer - say six months plus - than a simple three month stint.
There are cars worth lots of pennies bought as investments that are kept for many a long year but the techniques used to stop deterioration are costly and to restore back to "usable" condition cost again.
If you regularly leave your car for periods of three months then yes there are simple tips to help keep its condition; but as a once off or even every summer is a lot different.
Davexf.
I think with a car its best to be safe than sorry. How safe you are depends on your own risk profile of course. Tyres are, as you know, really important from a safety angle. And many cars, as you know, still slowly drain the battery for alarms, the computer etc.
I think 3 months is a lot with a car unmoving, with oxygen in the tyres and maybe even some pooling of water where 'the rubber meets the road' is not ideal. Putting Nitrogen in the tyres is not a crazy thing to do, as you saw from the link to popular mechanics that I put in my post. Axle stands are more of a hassle, but it doesn't take forever to jack up and do that - especially if its once a year for three whole months. I would do it. I am lucky I suppose because I think I could find someone to take it for a regular spin. My friend who told me about nitrogen (something I didn't know of before) is also a master mechanic - so I would always defer to him on car-stuff.
Any further things from that is up to each person. E.G I personally would not go as far as WD40-ing the engine for example. I think airing the car is important - but I'd personally have a problem leaving the windows cracked open -for 3 months.
I still think the info provided in the post from uk-granada is totally on topic and very interesting and I hope my contribution was too.
As an aside, we spend several months a year in CE. I haven't yet been able to financially justify buying a car. This is after over a decade. I'm not 'car mad' and have no problem driving a car without a fancy badge. We always rent and save all hassles of insurance, deprecation, servicing etc etc. We pick up and hand off the car at the airport.. and its done. Our last rental was 6Eur a day and in the summer we are renting for 10/day. Of course who knows what hidden damage there is to rented cars, or how safe, 'behind the scenes' but at least they get regular runs! Like me after a bad curry
However if I do buy, you are the master go-to guy for any information re immatriculation etc
Cheers, Jon
Last edited by Jon-Bxl; May 14th 2018 at 7:57 am.
May 14th 2018, 8:00 am
#12
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,675
Re: Car Health while away
Hi Dave - you are really helpful to people on the forum, and obviously know about cars. So lets respectfully agree to disagree.
I think with a car its best to be safe than sorry. How safe you are depends on your own risk profile of course. Tyres are, as you know, really important from a safety angle. And many cars, as you know, still slowly drain the battery for alarms, the computer etc.
I think 3 months is a lot with a car unmoving, with oxygen in the tyres and maybe even some pooling of water where 'the rubber meets the road' is not ideal. Putting Nitrogen in the tyres is not a crazy thing to do, as you saw from the link to popular mechanics that I put in my post. Axle stands are more of a hassle, but it doesn't take forever to jack up and do that - especially if its once a year for three whole months. I would do it. I am lucky I suppose because I think I could find someone to take it for a regular spin. My friend who told me about nitrogen (something I didn't know of before) is also a master mechanic - so I would always defer to him on car-stuff.
Any further things from that is up to each person. E.G I personally would not go as far as WD40-ing the engine for example. I think airing the car is important - but I'd personally have a problem leaving the windows cracked open -for 3 months.
I still think the info provided in the post from uk-granada is totally on topic and very interesting and I hope my contribution was too.
As an aside, we spend several months a year in CE. I haven't yet been able to financially justify buying a car. This is after over a decade. I'm not 'car mad' and have no problem driving a car without a fancy badge. We always rent and save all hassles of insurance, deprecation, servicing etc etc. We pick up and hand off the car at the airport.. and its done. Our last rental was 6Eur a day and in the summer we are renting for 10/day. Of course who knows what hidden damage there is to rented cars, or how safe, 'behind the scenes' but at least they get regular runs! Like me after a bad curry
However if I do buy, you are the master go-to guy for any information re immatriculation etc
Cheers, Jon
I think with a car its best to be safe than sorry. How safe you are depends on your own risk profile of course. Tyres are, as you know, really important from a safety angle. And many cars, as you know, still slowly drain the battery for alarms, the computer etc.
I think 3 months is a lot with a car unmoving, with oxygen in the tyres and maybe even some pooling of water where 'the rubber meets the road' is not ideal. Putting Nitrogen in the tyres is not a crazy thing to do, as you saw from the link to popular mechanics that I put in my post. Axle stands are more of a hassle, but it doesn't take forever to jack up and do that - especially if its once a year for three whole months. I would do it. I am lucky I suppose because I think I could find someone to take it for a regular spin. My friend who told me about nitrogen (something I didn't know of before) is also a master mechanic - so I would always defer to him on car-stuff.
Any further things from that is up to each person. E.G I personally would not go as far as WD40-ing the engine for example. I think airing the car is important - but I'd personally have a problem leaving the windows cracked open -for 3 months.
I still think the info provided in the post from uk-granada is totally on topic and very interesting and I hope my contribution was too.
As an aside, we spend several months a year in CE. I haven't yet been able to financially justify buying a car. This is after over a decade. I'm not 'car mad' and have no problem driving a car without a fancy badge. We always rent and save all hassles of insurance, deprecation, servicing etc etc. We pick up and hand off the car at the airport.. and its done. Our last rental was 6Eur a day and in the summer we are renting for 10/day. Of course who knows what hidden damage there is to rented cars, or how safe, 'behind the scenes' but at least they get regular runs! Like me after a bad curry
However if I do buy, you are the master go-to guy for any information re immatriculation etc
Cheers, Jon
May 14th 2018, 9:18 pm
#13
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 101
Re: Car Health while away
Hi Dave - you are really helpful to people on the forum, and obviously know about cars. So lets respectfully agree to disagree.
I think with a car its best to be safe than sorry. How safe you are depends on your own risk profile of course. Tyres are, as you know, really important from a safety angle. And many cars, as you know, still slowly drain the battery for alarms, the computer etc.
I think 3 months is a lot with a car unmoving, with oxygen in the tyres and maybe even some pooling of water where 'the rubber meets the road' is not ideal. Putting Nitrogen in the tyres is not a crazy thing to do, as you saw from the link to popular mechanics that I put in my post. Axle stands are more of a hassle, but it doesn't take forever to jack up and do that - especially if its once a year for three whole months. I would do it. I am lucky I suppose because I think I could find someone to take it for a regular spin. My friend who told me about nitrogen (something I didn't know of before) is also a master mechanic - so I would always defer to him on car-stuff.
Any further things from that is up to each person. E.G I personally would not go as far as WD40-ing the engine for example. I think airing the car is important - but I'd personally have a problem leaving the windows cracked open -for 3 months.
I still think the info provided in the post from uk-granada is totally on topic and very interesting and I hope my contribution was too.
As an aside, we spend several months a year in CE. I haven't yet been able to financially justify buying a car. This is after over a decade. I'm not 'car mad' and have no problem driving a car without a fancy badge. We always rent and save all hassles of insurance, deprecation, servicing etc etc. We pick up and hand off the car at the airport.. and its done. Our last rental was 6Eur a day and in the summer we are renting for 10/day. Of course who knows what hidden damage there is to rented cars, or how safe, 'behind the scenes' but at least they get regular runs! Like me after a bad curry
However if I do buy, you are the master go-to guy for any information re immatriculation etc
Cheers, Jon
I think with a car its best to be safe than sorry. How safe you are depends on your own risk profile of course. Tyres are, as you know, really important from a safety angle. And many cars, as you know, still slowly drain the battery for alarms, the computer etc.
I think 3 months is a lot with a car unmoving, with oxygen in the tyres and maybe even some pooling of water where 'the rubber meets the road' is not ideal. Putting Nitrogen in the tyres is not a crazy thing to do, as you saw from the link to popular mechanics that I put in my post. Axle stands are more of a hassle, but it doesn't take forever to jack up and do that - especially if its once a year for three whole months. I would do it. I am lucky I suppose because I think I could find someone to take it for a regular spin. My friend who told me about nitrogen (something I didn't know of before) is also a master mechanic - so I would always defer to him on car-stuff.
Any further things from that is up to each person. E.G I personally would not go as far as WD40-ing the engine for example. I think airing the car is important - but I'd personally have a problem leaving the windows cracked open -for 3 months.
I still think the info provided in the post from uk-granada is totally on topic and very interesting and I hope my contribution was too.
As an aside, we spend several months a year in CE. I haven't yet been able to financially justify buying a car. This is after over a decade. I'm not 'car mad' and have no problem driving a car without a fancy badge. We always rent and save all hassles of insurance, deprecation, servicing etc etc. We pick up and hand off the car at the airport.. and its done. Our last rental was 6Eur a day and in the summer we are renting for 10/day. Of course who knows what hidden damage there is to rented cars, or how safe, 'behind the scenes' but at least they get regular runs! Like me after a bad curry
However if I do buy, you are the master go-to guy for any information re immatriculation etc
Cheers, Jon
An interesting and very useful post. Car rental for 10/day in summer is fantastic - would you please let me know who you rent from? Many thanks.
Regards
Fred
May 15th 2018, 8:51 am
#14
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,980
Re: Car Health while away
I compare zest and economy car rental. Remember to check for additional driver, Spain entry transponder charges etc
I got a good deal directly from https://www.airauto.pt/ For this summer just under 10/day. I also have an annual insurance policy to cover the excess payments its just under £40 for unlimited rentals during the year from iCarhireinsurance.com so if I have an accident I pay the excess and then claim it back. Air auto is walkable from the airport as its the closest rental place, but there is also a shuttle bus from P4
Good luck!
Jon
May 15th 2018, 2:16 pm
#15
BE Enthusiast
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 465
Re: Car Health while away
Jon, I think you were lucky or booked incredibly early. I just tried for my daughter in August with Air-auto and a ford KA is 23 euro daily without insurance. I got a Clio with Zest for 18 days in May for about £9 / 10 euros a day all in though. feeling pleased with that.