(T) Winterising an occasional-use Panda 4x4 TA

My first (real) post ... apologies if a bit clueless! I bought a 2013 4x4 Panda TwinAir last Xmas and am thrilled with it. Took it straight to the alps (heaviest snowfall of the past 50 years), packed it with 5 passengers and all our gear, and powered it up the steeps better than a rocket-powered cogwheel train. I'm not a car guy, but I'm in love with this fantastic (and fantastic-looking) jet sled! Now the problem: I used to keep the car at long-term airport parking, but that got pricey. So I've left it parked outside, high up in the pointy peaks, and it will be used only every three months or so. The newish battery seems to hold up well, but starting is iffy: It crank and cranks and cranks as if no gas were getting into the cylinders, before finally, relucantly, catching. It takes a heck of a long time. And that was October, after having been used in August, so it was still warm outside. It'll be used next in February, I'll be with my kids, it will be really cold, and I'm pretty nervous about getting it going. I'd be very grateful for any tips as to what I should be doing with the car when I leave it standing for long periods of time in the cold and/or tricks to make sure she starts. No advice is too obvious! :-) Thank you!

Petrol left in a tank slowly 'degrades' if not used - the more volatile parts can evaporate away leaving a fuel that is stale and hard to run an engine with. One suggestion is to leave the tank as full as possible so that the fuel has no space above it to evaporate into. If it is to sit for very long periods, it is also advisable to leave the handbrake off (to prevent pads sticking to the discs) - but obviously leave in gear.

Having typed that, I then looked on Google and found this: https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/car-ne...ar-over-winter

I was also interested in this post as I use my new (June 2018) 4x4 TA Panda infrequently, having done only 1300 miles since buying. Mine is parked at home on the (sloping ) drive so I can both keep an eye on it and use it/charge it/wash it etc from time to time. Like Martin I am absolutely delighted with the car and can't wait for the snow to go and play.Obviously Hillhopper also meant Chock the wheels as well as leave in gear. If the worst comes to the worst I can clear out the garage of sundry bikes (pedal and motor) and other STUFF and put the Panda in
Incidentally "RED BOX" sell some cheerful "Love Panda" stickers

I should also have mentioned the following. Buy and keep with you one of the small lithium ion battery kits, for emergency boost battery. I bought one very cheaply on ebay, but it is a first rate bit of kit, and started my, long time laid up BMW R100T bike easily

My 2016 TA 4x4 tells me to start in neutral with the clutch down. My 2013 one didn't. Allegedly less strain on starter motor? Often put clutch down when minus a lot. Are you in a position to put battery inside on trickle charge. Maybe high tyre pressures to be safe. Or if use battery booster, unlock driver's door with the key so don't use see what charge left for central locking.

Super unleaded is probably a good idea if available, in the UK super unleaded doesn't contain ethanol (at the moment !) so lasts longer and isn't hygroscopic,if not a decent fuel additive. A solar panel charger should help the battery but will need a cable direct to the battery as cigarette lighter power port is ignition fed. Possibly turning the ignition on, waiting for the fuel pump to stop,then off again a few times would also flush the fuel lines and prime the injectors as well as warming the battery to give max cranking power.

Will it be under cover or left to get covered in snow?
Either way it reccomnded a full tank of fuel probably with a with stabiliser additive and disconnecting the battery

Wow. Thanks for all the great advice! Fuel filled to the max? Check. Lithium-ion battery booster? Check. Hand brake off? Check. Trickle charger? No ... no place to connect it. Covered? No ... standing outside in a friend's garden, and will be covered in snow soon if it isn't already. As for using super-unleaded, turning the key a couple of times to run the fuel pump, and starting in neutral with the clutch down, I will be sure to try all those things and am now much more confident I'll pop my kids into my car than into a cab. And I'll have to have a look at Red Box for the "Love Panda" stickers too :-) Thanks guys!

Shovel?

Hi.
Clutch down is a MAJOR thing..and you restoring FUEL pressure.

Trickle charger?

I have found the sit on the dash solar panels.. from RING for about £15 are great..
Even pulsing charge in relatively low light levels.(screen covered in snow..?)

Putting in roughly what is lost..
Connect straight to battery terminals

(One word of caution)
you have a stop.start system.. with special battery.. all my experience is
with 'lead acid'batteries

Charlie . Oxford