SLK 350 2006 Hibernation process

[james2747]

My 'other half' has a SLK 350 that is her pride and joy (purchased 8 years ago) but it only comes out to play in the summer months. I would say it is in excellent condition.
Its a 2006 year and done 36,000 miles and only does about 1,500 miles a year. (Her everyday car is an old Mini!)
Its getting near the time its put away for winter …. till the sun comes out again next year.
For the last 8 years of 'hibernation' I put it in garage, inflate tyres to 45 p.s.i. (to minimise any flat spots setting in) and connected it to a CTEK trickle charger, cover it with a proper car dust cover and that is it for about 6 months.
I'm just concerned that this isn't very thorough …. should I be taking plugs out and squirting oil in the bores … or jacking it up completely to take weight off tyres.
Oil gets changed every 2 years even though its doing about 3,000 miles during changes.
Brake fluid changed 3 years ago, so probably due another change when it comes out of hibernation next year.
Any suggestions welcomed on any 'extras' I should be doing.

 

[LostKiwi]

If you have potential rodent issues spray everything liberally with WD-40.
If you can start the engine every month that's better than squirting oil in the bores.

 

[00slk]

I had a friend who had many many cars in his collection, including a '20's Silver Ghost and a Type 35 Bugatti, he lifted every car off the ground and supported with wooden blocks to clear the tyres off if they were on long storage.

 

[Capra]

I know this is not what the post is about but, a friend used to own kit cars, and he felt the same about the summer/winter thing, they were his pride and joy. But rather than hibernate as such he would drive every 1-2 months when the weather was ok, clean off and then put away, he used to say it was better than leaving for up to 9 months.

 

[LostKiwi]

I regularly hibernate three of our vehicles.
The 129 and Smart Roadster both hibernate in France in winter and our 210 estate hibernates in summer. Aside from basic work like tyre pressures, disconnect batteries (prevents alarm going off when left unattended) and trickle charge them and a liberal dose of WD40 nothing is done other than a periodic start and run if the weather is acceptable.

 

[Capra]

I regularly hibernate three of our vehicles.
The 129 and Smart Roadster both hibernate in France in winter and our 210 estate hibernates in summer. Aside from basic work like tyre pressures, disconnect batteries (prevents alarm going off when left unattended) and trickle charge them and a liberal dose of WD40 nothing is done other than a periodic start and run if the weather is acceptable.

So the key bit is to disconnect the batteries and leave them on trickle charge. When you reconnect do you have to reset anything?

 

[LostKiwi]

Not on the 129 or Smart. The 210 needs windows and steering reset.

Probably don't need to disconnect batteries but we did have one instance of the 129 setting it's alarm off Inthe middle of the night and waking the neighbours. We didn't hear s thing but then we were 500 miles away!

 

[Ricardo_e220]

I hibernate my Lotus Elise and the SLK - connected to battery conditioner - tyres topped up, that’s about it if I remember...

Been told turning them over and not driving wears the engine more than just leaving them till spring..

This year (I’ve said for last 3 years) id like to use the time to do some preventative maintenance on them both.... suspect the cold will drive me out of the garage!

 

[star]

Personally wouldn’t start unless you can allow everything to get up to temp.

 

[grahamcol]

When I had my 190 I simply pumped up the tyres a little, topped up the battery every couple of weeks with my CTEK, left the handbrake off and occasionally rolled the car back & forth without starting the engine. It was absolutely fine after 6 months.
With my SLK I've considered declaring it SORN and doing similar, but last year I didn't and instead gave it a run out occasionally when conditions permitted and exercised the roof mechanism i.e. dry day, no salt on roads. I haven't yet decided what I'll do this year.
With the SLK I would definately exercise the roof every 6 weeks or so. I've heard of them (the roofs) developing faults through lack of use.

 

[Blobcat]

For vehicles I don't use that often I connect them to optimates with the handbrake off, I've just bought winter wheels and tyres for mine and I'll be using it all year

 

[LostKiwi]

Personally wouldn’t start unless you can allow everything to get up to temp.

Absolutely agree. Even if it can't go outside I'm reasonably happy to let it warm up in the barn (good ventilation).

 

[Capra]

Absolutely agree. Even if it can't go outside I'm reasonably happy to let it warm up in the barn (good ventilation).

Are there any issues with warming up without moving. Read before somewhere that this is not great for the engine, but I have no idea why.

 

[grahamcol]

I think that's just because the engine takes longer to warm up if not under load.

 

[00slk]

I've given up putting cars in hibernation, best thing is to use it over the winter periods, unless you are going away for a long time.
I have a car that's been in hibernation sich 1987, not been driven any further than 100 metres, it was still on its old tyres though totally perished. Dread the day I take it for a drive

 

[Wighty]

My 'other half' has a SLK 350 that is her pride and joy (purchased 8 years ago) but it only comes out to play in the summer months. I would say it is in excellent condition.
Its a 2006 year and done 36,000 miles and only does about 1,500 miles a year. (Her everyday car is an old Mini!)
Its getting near the time its put away for winter …. till the sun comes out again next year.
For the last 8 years of 'hibernation' I put it in garage, inflate tyres to 45 p.s.i. (to minimise any flat spots setting in) and connected it to a CTEK trickle charger, cover it with a proper car dust cover and that is it for about 6 months.
I'm just concerned that this isn't very thorough …. should I be taking plugs out and squirting oil in the bores … or jacking it up completely to take weight off tyres.
Oil gets changed every 2 years even though its doing about 3,000 miles during changes.
Brake fluid changed 3 years ago, so probably due another change when it comes out of hibernation next year.
Any suggestions welcomed on any 'extras' I should be doing.

Looks like next year the old girl will be due an ATF and filter change at the magic 37500 miles .