The Toyota is in his winter hibernation, advice needed.

"Pabuuu, JDM car enthusiast & Italian parts hoarder" (pabuuu4)
12/05/2014 at 11:54 • Filed to: Celica, Toyota, Oldtimer, At160

Took it for a last drive sunday, and put it in his place.

All oldtimers from 26 - 40 years have to be off the road in December, Januari and Februari. This is the first year this law is in place, so we'll see how it goes.

This is his place untill the garage is emty.

Does oppo have any tips on how to maintain an oldtimer during the winter? do I need a cover? do I need to start it regularly?

What work can I do now that the car isn't allowed on the road anyway?

Thanks

DISCUSSION (13)

Roadster Man > Pabuuu, JDM car enthusiast & Italian parts hoarder
12/05/2014 at 11:59

That's a hell of a law.

Only use a cover if you're worried about the paintwork. Start it up for 10 minutes once a week, move it around so the tires don't get flatspotted, and pour in some gasoline preservative. Maybe change over to winter anti-freeze instead of coolant just as a precaution.

HammerheadFistpunch > Pabuuu, JDM car enthusiast & Italian parts hoarder
12/05/2014 at 11:59

what kind of law is that? man alive.

T5Killer > Pabuuu, JDM car enthusiast & Italian parts hoarder
12/05/2014 at 12:03

That law is insanity! Most of my state would be off the road LOL

duurtlang > T5Killer
12/05/2014 at 12:13

He doesn't have to get his car off the road. You only have to get your older car off the road in the winter months if you want to be eligible for the semi-oldtimer 75% road tax break. If he keeps it on the road he'll just pay 100%, just like those of us without a classic.

T5Killer > duurtlang
12/05/2014 at 12:14

Tax break? like Registration fees? Sorry I am a confused American.

duurtlang > T5Killer
12/05/2014 at 12:17

You pay road tax here if you own a car. You only have to pay 25% of that tax if the car is between 26 and 40 years old (hence the 75% tax break), however to be eligible you have to have the car off the road in December, January and February. 40+ year old is tax exempt.

This basically means that someone who uses an old car as a DD pays the full amount, while someone who doesn't drive it in winter (and thus has another car) uses it as a non-DD classic. Road tax(/registration) on a Celica like that is, if I'm not mistaken, roughly €400 a year when driven year round, so he saves about €300.

KnowsAboutCars > Pabuuu, JDM car enthusiast & Italian parts hoarder
12/05/2014 at 12:19

Buy moisture eater to keep the interior mold free.

Fill her up to avoid condensated water.

RazoE > Pabuuu, JDM car enthusiast & Italian parts hoarder
12/05/2014 at 12:25

Disconnect the battery. Also if you want, put it up on jack-stands and remove the wheels.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Pabuuu, JDM car enthusiast & Italian parts hoarder
12/05/2014 at 12:30

My car sits for a couple weeks at a time often. I roll it slightly to avoid tire flatspots, run it once a week and chock it so I can leave the handbrake off.

Pabuuu, JDM car enthusiast & Italian parts hoarder > RazoE
12/05/2014 at 12:30

Is that so the wheels won't get flatspotted?

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Pabuuu, JDM car enthusiast & Italian parts hoarder
12/05/2014 at 12:35

what i do every year here in Michigan for the winter with my car

1. Fill up gas tank

2. Put old wheels and tires on (if no extra wheels/tires just inflate tires 5psi under their max)

3. Put fuel stabilizer in and idle for a few mins

4. Park in barn

5. Disconnect battery

6. Put cover on

7. Hold back the tears as you close the door

8. Drown sorrows with beer (step is optional, but very helpful)

Rock Bottom > Pabuuu, JDM car enthusiast & Italian parts hoarder
12/05/2014 at 12:35

If you can, park it on some carpet. I have scraps under each of my Corvette tires. Extended periods of time in contact with cold concrete isn't great for them...

And as was mentioned, some gas stabilizer is a good idea (make sure the tank is completely full) and a fresh oil change will reduce the chance of condensation forming on the oil surface.

RazoE > Pabuuu, JDM car enthusiast & Italian parts hoarder
12/05/2014 at 12:42

Yeah. Takes load off the suspension, too. If it's in a more secure area, I've heard of leaving the hood unlatched so it doesn't freeze in place.