Irish Mini Owners Club

With the quick change in weather,
I thought it might be a good idea to start a thread where we can all post up tips and ideas
on keeping our minis safe and rust free during the bad weather.

I keep my mini garaged, start it everyday and check the water for any signs of freezing.
Its my daily driver but since the cold hit i haven't drove, rather walk or get a lift than risk damaging it.

i rotate the two minis, week on, week off, as daily drivers. during the "resting" week the saloon is under a breathable cover.
having said that i tend to favour the clubman estate during the wetter months as its fully waxoiled, unlike the cooper which is rusting like the import that it is! also i dont have a cover for the estate and tying up a tarp every week is a pain!
keeping the car clean, waxed and ventilated: the best thing for keeping it in good shape is the monthly run, IMHO.
If I could i would park it in the dry, in a well ventilated place.

When your not driving put a bowl of salt in your car, it absorbs any moisture in the air.
When it goes hard lash it in the microwave to dry it out, then its ready to use again.

Will that work instead of a demister?

yeah it really helps, my windows never steam up

Happy days, I may make something up for it now!

seanos wrote:When your not driving put a bowl of salt in your car, it absorbs any moisture in the air.
When it goes hard lash it in the microwave to dry it out, then its ready to use again.

Thanks for this , must give it a go !

might also be a good idea for anyone driving their mini in this weather to give
it a wash down after driving, especially your arches, with the salt on the roads,
and the freezing temperatures, rust will become a bit problem.

seanos wrote:might also be a good idea for anyone driving their mini in this weather to give
it a wash down after driving, especially your arches, with the salt on the roads,
and the freezing temperatures, rust will become a bit problem.

yes i second that advice, the red or grey deposit you see on the car is quite likely to be the salt. although i have it on good authority that salt on the roads will cease to be a problem soon.

keith wrote:

seanos wrote:might also be a good idea for anyone driving their mini in this weather to give
it a wash down after driving, especially your arches, with the salt on the roads,
and the freezing temperatures, rust will become a bit problem.

yes i second that advice, the red or grey deposit you see on the car is quite likely to be the salt. although i have it on good authority that salt on the roads will cease to be a problem soon.

I heard the salt was a bit runny, oops it's just run out (to steal someone else's line)

seanos wrote:When your not driving put a bowl of salt in your car, it absorbs any moisture in the air.
When it goes hard lash it in the microwave to dry it out, then its ready to use again.

Cat litter works as well.......

Lower the tyre pressures by about 10psi for better traction but remember to pump them up again once the roads clear.

have many people left their mini's outdoors in the weather over the past 2 nights?

two of mine are in the parents garden, let all the water outta them, i've still to collect a 79 i bought last week thats outside,engine inside a garage wit no water, the type m is in a garage, the water in the engine still froze in it so i took off the rad yesterday and heated the garage let all the water run out.

Mines always outdoors unfortunatley. Been looking at getting an underground parking space to keep it. Starting it up every 4 days or so and no problems with it. Fair bit of anti-freeze in it (despite being told I shouldnt put any in it, just use water!). No problems with it so far. My other car however....!

antodeco wrote:- snip - Fair bit of anti-freeze in it (despite being told I shouldnt put any in it, just use water!).

Hmmm... antifreeze also has anti-corrosive properties, slowing corrosion in things like the radiator, alloy thermostat housing, water cooled manifold (if you have one) and heater matrix, as well as the head and block. its good stuff!

antodeco wrote: No problems with it so far.

i rest my case!

seanos wrote:have many people left their mini's outdoors in the weather over the past 2 nights?

Not a chance. My baby is in a warm garage and wont be out on the roads until someone cleans the salt off them

mine's been out in the cold since the cold started, i covered it and will find out tomorrow when i get back if it will start

mines out driving every dayin this weather with no problems so far

mines out the whole time, not driven it since i drove home from college on the 18th and only started it thursday and absolutly no problems what so ever, yay!!

mines frozen solid so a hot bath will have to follow tmg idea of a warm bath and a fan heater for the block hopefully all will be ok

Deadly Dave wrote:

seanos wrote:have many people left their mini's outdoors in the weather over the past 2 nights?

Not a chance. My baby is in a warm garage and wont be out on the roads until someone cleans the salt off them

same with me, not taking any risks.
my garage ain't heated but its warmer than outside

Mine is sitting in the garage with no water in it, daily is outside with antifreeze, but if it fecks up thankfully i have an aircooled to fall back on. Fingers crossed its not an expensive few weeks for all of us.

I last drove the estate on new years eve. Its sat uncovered on the drive since then. Just started and moved her there this afternoon with no trouble at all. Shes a great little car!

Mine is outside to drive it nearly everyday. Just clean the salt and Sh1t off it every day after i get back. Only take 15 mins but worth it in long run, if saves from replacing ruts.