I know some on here run their cars all year round, but my 310R is currently SORN until March so it can avoid the salt:
It's less than a year old, and has only covered 1,300 miles, so there's not much that needed doing before I tucked it up for the winter.
All I did was:
- Cleaned it to within an inch of its life (including treating the seats with Gtechniq L1 and the paint with Gtechniq C2)
- Touched up a couple of small stone chips on the chassis with Hammerite Smooth Satin
- Wiped all the accessible chassis members with ACF50 and painted ACF50 into the grot traps
- Overinflated the tyres
It's now under the cover with a full tank of fuel, the engine cut-off switch removed and the handbrake off.
Did I miss anything?
What do others do to theirs when they take theirs off the road for the winter?
I should also say, I was very pleased to see that the full XPEL PPF kit that Williams fitted to the car before delivery has so far kept the paintwork free of any damage whatsoever. Long may that continue...
Gulf Racing 310R
Put it on axle stands to take weight off the wheels, or pump the tyres up to over 30lbs., stops them getting flat spots
Yes I've already overinflated the tyres.
Gulf Racing 310R
Anyone else care to share their routine for laying up for the winter?
Gulf Racing 310R
I know some members believe 7s don't like being kept on stands, though mine is.
I've put mine on stands. I have a soft car cover over her, cover her in a very large plastic sheet and put a small heater and dehumidifier under it. The heater is to ensure the air temperature remains high enough for the dehumidifier to work through cold weather.
I take it all off at least once a month and run the engine up to temperature, just to keep the oil going around. As she's on stands, I've now begun to put her in 1st gear and let the wheels run while getting up to temp, to keep the oil in the diff and gearbox circulated, too.
No doubt someone better informed than I is going to tell me I'm wrecking her in doing this, but I'd welcome views.
Alan
Commercial Lead
Do you do any rust prevention?
Gulf Racing 310R
I haven't, but I know I really ought. Particularly as I can't see myself ever wanting another 7 after this one.
One of our local members has offered to help me apply some. I fully intend to take him up on it, when we're allowed to come out again.
Alan
Commercial Lead
Gulf Racing 310R
A good run at the end of the season, up on stands, new oil and filter and any other things due to be done, remove battery then cover and leave till spring.
Give battery a few hours on Optimate every month or two.
In spring disconnect inertia switch, spin over until oil pressure comes up, reconnect and start.
It may not do too much damage starting every month but it’s not doing any good and certainly isn’t necessary, IMO and according to all the research I’ve done.
If you are starting every month, I’d change the oil in spring, not at the end of the season.
I understand the concerns about leaving on stands rather than on wheels but I’ve not seen any issues either way, no metalastic bush issues on stands or tyre problems if on the ground.
I prefer it on stands for ad hoc access to carry out maintenance, cleaning etc over the winter.
It may not do too much damage starting every month but it’s not doing any good and certainly isn’t necessary, IMO and according to all the research I’ve done.
Please would you enlighten me on that and share some of the info?
I'm trying to persuade one of my "advisors" to share his views on being up on stands, but he's such a shrinking violet.
Alan
Commercial Lead