A&Q about Lotus
Q:
ugg, I don't want to think about it yet , but with my life as hectic as it is, I need to plan ahead somewhat if I want to get anything done. Come the end of October, I'll likely put my Elise to sleep for the winter. I've done this in the past with my boxster, but wanted to solicit input here to see if I'm missing anything really important:
- remove battery and store in basement of house, off the concrete floor. I trickle charge it once or twice in the winter, but I don't have electricity in the garage I rent, so in-car maintenance is not an option. I've lost two batteries in the Porsche over two different winters.
- Can I lock the doors with the battery removed? I'm not worried about not having an alarm.
- inflate tires to 40psi or so to help with flat spots. I start the car once or twice over the winter, let it warm up, and move it a bit. I also place cardboard between the tires and the concrete floor, but I don't recall why
- I keep drying agent in a cloth bag in the main cabin and another in the trunk to absorbed any moisture
- oil? Is it best to change it before the winter, or after?
Thanks!
-RWarden
A:
Originally Posted by rwarden
- Can I lock the doors with the battery removed? I'm not worried about not having an alarm.
-RWarden
Yes, you can lock the doors manually with the key. If you've never locked them that way, the door buttons on the outside of the doors have a key slot. Just turn with the key 90 degrees (from the slot being horizontal to being vertical). It locks the door from the outside without having to mess with the lock posts on the inside of the door or the alarm.
Also, leave the alarm UNarmed when you disconnect the battery. Saves some trouble when you reconnect in the spring.
A:
Originally Posted by rwarden
ugg, I don't want to think about it yet , but with my life as hectic as it is, I need to plan ahead somewhat if I want to get anything done. Come the end of October, I'll likely put my Elise to sleep for the winter. I've done this in the past with my boxster, but wanted to solicit input here to see if I'm missing anything really important:
Move to San Diego.
A:
This question has come up before (every year actually) and was asked just a couple of days ago - check this link for responses and links to previous threads:
Originally Posted by rwarden
- remove battery and store in basement of house, off the concrete floor. I trickle charge it once or twice in the winter, but I don't have electricity in the garage I rent
If the garage doesn't have power, it won't hurt to go to the hassle of removing the battery. But get a Battery MINDer/Tender/maintainer/conditioner - do not use a trickle charger, as they can easily overcharge and damage the battery. A "charger" designed to be connected for long periods of time to float and maintain the charge is much, much better.
- inflate tires to 40psi or so to help with flat spots.
This can't hurt, but it really isn't necessary. Flat spots are not a concern with modern radial tires. Even if they do "flat spot", the first dive in the spring that warms up the tires will restore them to normal.
I start the car once or twice over the winter, let it warm up, and move it a bit.
DO NOT DO THIS!! It is actually much more damaging to the engine than just leaving it parked. And a lot of wasted effort if the battery is not in the car.
I also place cardboard between the tires and the concrete floor, but I don't recall why
It can't hurt, but again, it's something that really isn't necessary. Probably left over from the "old wive's tale" (or would that be "old man's tale") of not storing batteries on the ground because it will discharge quicker. Note: It actually had a slight basis in fact - old batteries could form "films" on them from vented gases. The cold floor could help to increase water condensation on the battery, and combined with the "film" could actually create an electrically conductive path to drain the battery.
- I keep drying agent in a cloth bag in the main cabin and another in the trunk to absorbed any moisture
Again, probably can't hurt, but is it really necessary? How damp is the garage? I've never seen it necessary, especially for only a few months.
- oil? Is it best to change it before the winter, or after?
Before. Take the car for a drive to get things nice and warmed up, change (or have the oil changed), and park the car.
Go to the link above for more information, and follow the link (or do a search) for even more information.
A:
Winterize the car? What? I drive mine all year long. That is what they make cars for. I drive mine when it rains too
A:
Originally Posted by DrkFrcs
Winterize the car? What? I drive mine all year long. That is what they make cars for. I drive mine when it rains too
I drive mine in the rain, but not the snow - see my avatar. I drive my S4 in the snow
A:
Originally Posted by DrkFrcs
Winterize the car? What? I drive mine all year long. That is what they make cars for. I drive mine when it rains too
In the snow too? So, how does it handle?
A:
Originally Posted by Crash
Move to San Diego.
Nothing Like So. Cal in the Winter (Spring, Summer & Fall........). Winterize That!
A:
Originally Posted by megatron
In the snow too? So, how does it handle?
That is about the only time I don't drive it. When snow is on the road. Poor car would act like a plow/sled
A:
I took delivery last Feb., and drove it all winter as long as it wasn't snowing or really slushy. The car comes from England, it knows all about crappy weather. A set of Pirelli Snowsports will help. I've got a hardtop as well, and that was a plus. In steeltown I don't think the climate is much worse than Toronto. If you're in the city and the roads are ploughed, DRIVE THE CAR! Just drive nice .
A:
Wish I could help, but I've never had to winterize a car and have never seen a snow tire.
Gulf Coast summers may be humid, but our winters are perfect.