The only time I've ever stored a car for the winter was a while ago.
It wasn't inside a garage unfortunately, but from what I can remember....
1) Battery. I left mine in the car and ran a cable from out underneath the bonnet, under the garage door to a trickle charger. If you don't have the facility to do this, then the only option is to take the battery out and keep it charged indoors. Don't let the battery fully discharge.
2) Engine; change oil and filter prior to storing, and then again when you start using it. I also stopped ignition to the motor when I went to use it again just to turn the engine over and make sure all the oil was distributed around before actually starting. I'd also recommend you get your cooling system flushed and replace all fluid; make sure that the anti-freeze/water mix is correct and that there are no leaks etc. If possible, leave the car in neutral (not in park if an auto).
3) Wheels / Tyres; try and keep the wheels/tyres off the ground if you can. If you can't, then check pressures weekly and top up as required. I've never heard of modern tyre's flat spotting from a few months of storage, but if this worries you, then try and rotate the wheels occasionally.
4) Fuel; there seems to be some conflicting info out there about whether to store with a full tank or an empty tank. I don't really have an opinion either way, but this is what I did. I ran the car I stored down to nearly empty, and I got a jerry can for a few fresh litres when I put it back on the road. I didn't have any problems with doing it this way, but it's up to you which way you want to go.
5) Brakes; if you can, store with the handbrake off. Pads have a habit of sticking to the calipers/discs when they're not used for a while. Also, if you can, back the pads away from the discs. I flushed the braking system and replaced the fluid prior to storage.
6) Bodywork / Interior; plastic and tarpaulin type covers don't work. You need to get a purpose designed soft car cover of the type that 'breathes'. They can be expensive, but they're worth it. Fully clean and polish all the bodywork prior to storage. Fully clean and valet the interior. If you've got leather, then some leather feed or such like to keep it soft so that it doesn't crack etc.
7) Other stuff you might want to consider; block up the exhaust so that moisture vapour doesn't get in; this also stops small rodents from making your exhaust pipe their winter home... use some water/moisture repelling lube to smear over all rubber seals. Lube the door hinges, boot hinges etc. Remove any CD's, DVD's and USB drives. Remove anything from inside and the boot that's likely to leak, go off or cause a smell. Get a new air freshner and put this inside.
That's about it.
Cheers.
My A4 means the world to me . 2004 was the Birth of the S-LINE.. The A4 wore TheS-LINE Badge first on the A4 B6 190T it ran for only 1 YEAR Now day's every Audi that roll's out of the Factory has a S-Line Badge.. So for me The A4 B6 190T was the beginning of it all .
Thank You.
the beginning of what ? a few badges is hardly the beginning of something, like has been said the 2004 sport looks just as good apart from a few badges.
the quattro was the real beginning, im not sure what the point of buying a audi 2wd is and then storing it in winter, you might aswel of bought a bmw which have better engines and better handling.
the whole point in buying a audi is for their quattro !
Nice and Dry In Storage, whilst working on it sadly only get to use this place a few times a year
Storage Location 2.. (winter months)
You dont seem to understand there is nothing that special about a sline apart from a few badges over the sport model wow!
You missed the importance of what quattro was to audi and went for a perforated steering wheel.
you had a oppertunity to buy a real audi quattro as a winter car and you bought a golf that will be useless in the snow and ice compared to quattro.
Why not get a quattro?
I can understand wanting to keep your street queen immaculate and at its best any buy a cheap car to get around in over the winter but why you opted for a front wheel drive when you could of had 4wd for the snowy,icy roads is beyond me.
4wd is better in them conditions than 2wd thats a simple fact.
Not a turning point, they just capitalised on the sales and made it common.The S-line Brand must of been a turning point for Audi as everything Audi roll out is wearing the S-Line emblem there number 1 seller
Car Enthusiast's and car dealers are world's apart ..
I was not talking about you it was a generalisation! And you cant say everyone has the same outlook as you so whats your point?as mentioned above about people sticking s line stuff onto there cars, ill admit ive turned my tdi sport into an s line wannabe all the s line parts are on there, door sill gaurds, steering wheel, side badges, exhaust/rear bumper, rs6 style wheels (all though polished finished) but all genuine parts, the only part inside the car that isnt s line is the gear knob, but this is due to me fitting an aftermarket one,
as regards to people not wanting to spend a little extra on a sport / s line model i would disagree, when i was looking for an A4 it had to be a sport model with all the extras, its all down to personal taste.
I was not talking about you it was a generalisation! And you cant say everyone has the same outlook as you so whats your point?as mentioned above about people sticking s line stuff onto there cars, ill admit ive turned my tdi sport into an s line wannabe all the s line parts are on there, door sill gaurds, steering wheel, side badges, exhaust/rear bumper, rs6 style wheels (all though polished finished) but all genuine parts, the only part inside the car that isnt s line is the gear knob, but this is due to me fitting an aftermarket one,
as regards to people not wanting to spend a little extra on a sport / s line model i would disagree, when i was looking for an A4 it had to be a sport model with all the extras, its all down to personal taste.
You missed out:The only time I've ever stored a car for the winter was a while ago.
It wasn't inside a garage unfortunately, but from what I can remember....
1) Battery. I left mine in the car and ran a cable from out underneath the bonnet, under the garage door to a trickle charger. If you don't have the facility to do this, then the only option is to take the battery out and keep it charged indoors. Don't let the battery fully discharge.
2) Engine; change oil and filter prior to storing, and then again when you start using it. I also stopped ignition to the motor when I went to use it again just to turn the engine over and make sure all the oil was distributed around before actually starting. I'd also recommend you get your cooling system flushed and replace all fluid; make sure that the anti-freeze/water mix is correct and that there are no leaks etc. If possible, leave the car in neutral (not in park if an auto).
3) Wheels / Tyres; try and keep the wheels/tyres off the ground if you can. If you can't, then check pressures weekly and top up as required. I've never heard of modern tyre's flat spotting from a few months of storage, but if this worries you, then try and rotate the wheels occasionally.
4) Fuel; there seems to be some conflicting info out there about whether to store with a full tank or an empty tank. I don't really have an opinion either way, but this is what I did. I ran the car I stored down to nearly empty, and I got a jerry can for a few fresh litres when I put it back on the road. I didn't have any problems with doing it this way, but it's up to you which way you want to go.
5) Brakes; if you can, store with the handbrake off. Pads have a habit of sticking to the calipers/discs when they're not used for a while. Also, if you can, back the pads away from the discs. I flushed the braking system and replaced the fluid prior to storage.
6) Bodywork / Interior; plastic and tarpaulin type covers don't work. You need to get a purpose designed soft car cover of the type that 'breathes'. They can be expensive, but they're worth it. Fully clean and polish all the bodywork prior to storage. Fully clean and valet the interior. If you've got leather, then some leather feed or such like to keep it soft so that it doesn't crack etc.
7) Other stuff you might want to consider; block up the exhaust so that moisture vapour doesn't get in; this also stops small rodents from making your exhaust pipe their winter home... use some water/moisture repelling lube to smear over all rubber seals. Lube the door hinges, boot hinges etc. Remove any CD's, DVD's and USB drives. Remove anything from inside and the boot that's likely to leak, go off or cause a smell. Get a new air freshner and put this inside.
That's about it.
Cheers.
Not a turning point, they just capitalised on the sales and made it common.
You missed out:
8) Cover up to exhaust pipes in duvet, but leave them free to breathe;
9) Leave a warm hot water bottle on the driver's seat to prevent chills;
10) Leave a TV/DVD on in the corner to prevent your pride and joy getting bored (something like Ronin would be good for an Audi);
11) Use a 2 way baby monitor to constantly keep in contact and just to let it know you care;
12) Prior to leaving your pride and joy, ensure you read it a bedtime story - this is most important as an upset car left for winter is likely to slit it's brake lines.....
Alternatively, stick it in a friggin garage and pick it up when it gets over it's fear of rain/snow!!!
I think you'll find my ironic response was toward the wire.And yet they still keep coming.. My A4 is not a show Pony.. I Follow the Club event, Meets, RR Days, Shows and everythign VAG . Rain Or Shine.. There are to many Forum Now All's but Now Nothing about being a Car enthusiast.
CMD, the_wire has it all comprehensively covered there!
If I can just step over the argument about whether it's worth storing your car, all I will say is that it's your car, and you can do what you want with it. It's special to you, so fair play to you for wanting to look after it over the winter. It's clearly not just a commodity to you, and I don't understand why some are trying to say that it should be...
And, I have to say, yours is one of the finest B6's I've ever seen on here. In fact, you've just inspired me to de-chrome my grill too, as all my other trim is already black, and yours looks fab!
Looking super clean there col! that polo is a right little minter too! what engines in that again..?