The sad day when my cars go into winter storage...
Discussion
It has been a magnificent Indian summer in Ontario so the depressing day when the 911s go into hibernation has been as late as I remember. I already have the winter wheels on the all season cars.
I drove my trusty old 991 RS around the neighbourhood knowing the inevitable was coming. I always hate putting cars into storage for months but this is Canada.
The temperature dropped almost overnight and the first tiny traces of snow are now dropping.
It was 23c on Friday when I was driving back the Cayenne from NY state all the way to Toronto, and then in 48 hours it dropped to 2c. It was time.
At 2c PS Cup 2s are not pleasant things but I drove gingerly to the local gas station that luckily has ethanol-free fuel ( here in Ontario Shell premium fuel has no ethanol and it is the only thing I use.
Having filled up the tank, plugged in the battery maintainer and covered the car that was it . It will sit untouched for about 4-5 months, though the garage is heated.
Tomorrow I will do the other one, but is is simply a matter of disconnecting it ( I have a few spaces at my office which is a highrise, but they have no power. The older car is much simpler so simply disconnecting the battery means it just needs a boost in the Spring.
I always feel a sense of sadness to see cars not moving.
Still, once I have the cars done I will plan the winter drive to the place in Arizona- the dog hates winter more than I do so end of the month we are on the road..usual way through NY State, Ohio, Indiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas , New Mexico and into AZ. Will be a bit different this time..the new Cayenne replaced my utterly reliable 2008 Cayenne which has 300,000 very reliable kilometres on it. As usual there will be something unexpected to discover. It's a big place.
I drove my trusty old 991 RS around the neighbourhood knowing the inevitable was coming. I always hate putting cars into storage for months but this is Canada.
The temperature dropped almost overnight and the first tiny traces of snow are now dropping.
It was 23c on Friday when I was driving back the Cayenne from NY state all the way to Toronto, and then in 48 hours it dropped to 2c. It was time.
At 2c PS Cup 2s are not pleasant things but I drove gingerly to the local gas station that luckily has ethanol-free fuel ( here in Ontario Shell premium fuel has no ethanol and it is the only thing I use.
Having filled up the tank, plugged in the battery maintainer and covered the car that was it . It will sit untouched for about 4-5 months, though the garage is heated.
Tomorrow I will do the other one, but is is simply a matter of disconnecting it ( I have a few spaces at my office which is a highrise, but they have no power. The older car is much simpler so simply disconnecting the battery means it just needs a boost in the Spring.
I always feel a sense of sadness to see cars not moving.
Still, once I have the cars done I will plan the winter drive to the place in Arizona- the dog hates winter more than I do so end of the month we are on the road..usual way through NY State, Ohio, Indiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas , New Mexico and into AZ. Will be a bit different this time..the new Cayenne replaced my utterly reliable 2008 Cayenne which has 300,000 very reliable kilometres on it. As usual there will be something unexpected to discover. It's a big place.
It's definitely a sad time of year in the Northern Hemisphere.
But hopefully next Spring will make up for it!
Strange that Shell is E0 in Canada though. In the UK the only E0 we get is Esso Synergy Supreme and Tesco Momentum that are both 99 RON - our Shell V-Power is E5 and only 97 RON.
But hopefully next Spring will make up for it!
Strange that Shell is E0 in Canada though. In the UK the only E0 we get is Esso Synergy Supreme and Tesco Momentum that are both 99 RON - our Shell V-Power is E5 and only 97 RON.
well, the last thing to do was to put the 997 to bed. I lives at my office condo, no power outlet available, so I just take the battery leads off. It is a very warm garage so the car is toasty till Spring. The 996 Turbo S beside it is not my car- belongs to a neighbour:
Little bit of expanded polystyrene to keep the bootlid from fully closing so I can get in to reconnect:
(The signatures on the car are Vic Elford and Hurley Haywood.)
So, off to the winter sleep:
The winter cars are ready- am looking forward to the Arizona trip in a couple of weeks- first chance to try the Cayenne GTS on a transcontinental trip and it is properly ready for winter. As usual when we get there I have to have the Jeep serviced and there is an electrical problem on the SL. Old cars are like that.
Little bit of expanded polystyrene to keep the bootlid from fully closing so I can get in to reconnect:
(The signatures on the car are Vic Elford and Hurley Haywood.)
So, off to the winter sleep:
The winter cars are ready- am looking forward to the Arizona trip in a couple of weeks- first chance to try the Cayenne GTS on a transcontinental trip and it is properly ready for winter. As usual when we get there I have to have the Jeep serviced and there is an electrical problem on the SL. Old cars are like that.
d_a_n1979 said:
Great cars and it looks lovely there!
As already said; that's a big drop in temps!
It can get quite cold here and -20 is common in January, or even colder. - its CanadaAs already said; that's a big drop in temps!
- I expect we will hit weather on the Arizona trip..as we are going through the snowmelt to the high plains. Even when we get to within a couple of hours of Scottsdale there will be snow as we are over 7000 ft up. We then drop like a stone from Flagstaff to Phoenix and we are finally in the desert sunshine.Opposite Day for me, high of 31degC today and cooling, means the summer has gone and it’s playtime. Took the Elise to work today, will give the Ducati the same courtesy tomorrow!
Always like to read your threads OP. Nice to see someone who seems to genuinely enjoy the fruits of their success whilst being down to earth about it.
Looks like there’s ample space for extending that garage!
Always like to read your threads OP. Nice to see someone who seems to genuinely enjoy the fruits of their success whilst being down to earth about it.
Looks like there’s ample space for extending that garage!
shirt said:
Opposite Day for me, high of 31degC today and cooling, means the summer has gone and it’s playtime. Took the Elise to work today, will give the Ducati the same courtesy tomorrow!
Always like to read your threads OP. Nice to see someone who seems to genuinely enjoy the fruits of their success whilst being down to earth about it.
Looks like there’s ample space for extending that garage!
Old Victorian area so they do not look kindly on extensions. I have five spaces at the office, mostly rented but I own a couple so I really only need one enclosed space at the house - also have two street parking permits for the working cars. Wish I had you weatherAlways like to read your threads OP. Nice to see someone who seems to genuinely enjoy the fruits of their success whilst being down to earth about it.
Looks like there’s ample space for extending that garage!
marky911 said:
Absolutely impeccable timing RD. Brilliant. 
I’m forever jealous of your collection and it looks like you’re in a stunning part of the world too. Canada is high up on my list of places to visit.
Enjoy your winter anyway.
It looks better than it well in winter here- dirty roads., salt every where, and filthy cars.I’m forever jealous of your collection and it looks like you’re in a stunning part of the world too. Canada is high up on my list of places to visit.
Enjoy your winter anyway.
Looking out the kitchen window looks like a big fall
However., I will be outa here soon to drive to Arizona and enjoy more civilized weather, maybe a bit of off roading or a winter cruise when I am there for a few days.. The Mercedes needs some work so that will be an immediate priority but the Jeep is a simple old thing:
Jonmx said:
You win the first world problems prize. Gorgeous cars and what looks like a gorgeous part of the world. I loved the write up on the green one. As has been said, would love to hear about the planned road trip.
I usually do a road update. First proper trip for the new Cayenne. We usually run faulty rapidly on the way West as we have the dog. Coupe of days R&R and then a slower trip back. Want to run up to Tulsa because they have done huge amount of Rte 66 restoration which I have not seen, plus a big new Bob Dylan museum. More to come in December!
Dog HATES snow and is giving me the eye to get on he road to the sun....
Edited by RDMcG on Wednesday 16th November 14:57
Hereward said:
Utterly perfect storage conditions - mild, stable temperature and plenty of air circulation / ventilation so no condensation / corrosion issues.
The only possible concern (as with any type of storage facility) is a rodent munching on wires.
Yes,I have known of a number of these. Apparently Porsche in later cars was doing more environmentally compliant materials and the wiring is quite attractive to rodents. However, this is a fairly busy garage and each floor is swept daily so there is a reasonable chance of being OK.The only possible concern (as with any type of storage facility) is a rodent munching on wires.
In Arizona I have the opposite problem..cars sit in very hot conditions from March to September so the garage gets to 120 or so.
Certainly no corrosion but the wiring dries out and gets brittle. I had to replace the wiring harness in the Mercedes, and also a number of plastid trim pieces around the seats as they broke like eggshells, and had flat spots on the tires (now use tire cradles).
Not a lot of car damaging critters...lots of little lizards and scorpions that get caught in the glue traps but nothing more.
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