Got any tips for gauaging over the winter?

[gazza1701-a]

Having never layed my Cavalier up for more than a week, is there anything i should do when putting a cavalier away for 6 months in a garage? ie. are there things that are going to cease up or go funny from not using it? I've been given a mondeo for free, so I thought I'd try to preserve my trusty Cav.

[planetc]

Make sure you leave the handbrake off.
Ideally leave it on axle stands to prevent flat spotting the tyes, although tbh I never had a problem with this even with a car left four years.
Disconnect the battery, and be prepared to charge it once a month or it is likely to fall over dead. Or consider running it up once every two weeks, this will keep everything in the engine lubed too.
Also a good idea to leave it with the windows open a tad (if inside) too, I've had problems growing mould in closed cars before.

Problems I have experienced with lay up are limited really, seized wheel cylinders and such like. Worst was a fuel tank that became contaminated with calcium like deposits that I am sure came from the fuel or an additive. It had been four years standing, and I had to change the tank in the end because flushing just wouldn't clear it properly.

[Cavalier342]

As planetc said, If the car is kept sheltered, the interior would probably suffer the most. My mum's old Saab 900 (RIP) was kept in the drive for a number of months unused, the exterior seemed to stay as it was, with a lot of damp periods, but the interior suffered. Rooflining came down, leather seats became worn and started coming apart, steering wheel and dashboard literally had green/grey mould growing, few other bits, basically if kept untouched, it all gets seriously neglected. Sunroof probably would feel stiff when opening/closing, and then there's the exterior, tyres, brakes, handbrake etc.
Just general neglectable bits really.
Andrei.

[Gaz]

personally id take the battery off and shove it in the house somewhere warm, batteries don't like the cold.

Everything else has been covered.

[VauxhallGirl]

And don't forget to make sure you have enough antifreeze in the water....