Leave top up or down

[austspider]

I am the first time owner of a convertible. I only get to drive my Spider on a weekly basis and was wondering is it ok to park it in the garage with the top down or will this effect the top if it is kept folded down for long periods.
Any advice is appreciated.

[ventura ace]

You would probably do it more harm by putting it up and down all the time than leaving it folded down. If your preference for driving is having it down, I'd leave it down. If you need to raise it now and then, just avoid raising it when the temperature is really cold. If you know that you want to drive it tomorrow morning, and you think it will be too chilly starting out with the top down, then go ahead and put it up the afternoon before, when the temperature is much warmer.

Alvon

[mdrburchette]

I'm with Alvon on this. In fact, it's possible the top on my 72 is still down in the shop although I haven't seen the car in several weeks due to yucky weather. The only problem is the interior gets dusty when you leave the top down.

[courtenay]

I leave my top down (car's in the garage) and put a soft cover over the car to keep the dust off/out.

[mbouse]

up and down up and down, yeah... wear it out, wear it out.

course, you dunn say where you live and what season it is right now for you. also, ambient temperature.

if it's like REALLY cold outside, putting your vinly top up or down could overly stress an already weak area and cause a crack, leading to a leak. Plan ahead, and put the top up if you are gonna store the car for a long period of time.

[So Cal Mark]

they do shrink when down, so it can be difficult to get it latched if left down for long periods. If the car will sit for over a week at a time, I'd put it up.

[armchairmechanic]

Several years ago when I still had cable I saw a show (sponsored by Eastwood) on car restoration and preservation and this expert recommended leaving the top up while the car was in storage. He claimed there would be less stress on the moving parts. Also, on the Fiat, it seems like it would less wear and tear on the rear window with the top up.
George

[Mathew26]

I second what Mark says about the tops. As a rule I have always put my car up with the top up. Now I put mine up but don't latch it. This keeps my top from shrinking too much and keeps it from also stretching too much. Lastly the window lasts longer this way.

[azygoustoyou]

You know, I never even thought about this stuff. Good point to bring up.
Mathew26, Can you show a pic of your avatar The exhaust looks pretty cool.

[Mathew26]

Sure thats our Nickel plated X1/9 header. http://www.vickauto.com/cgi-bin/store/2 ... mv_pc=1882

[Nick]

I leave mine down most of the time unless it's in storage for a long time. Only problem I've noticed is with the rear window, it's sort of wavy and parts of it are blurry. It's a brand new top though so it worries me. My top has always had a lot of trouble latching so I can't really tell if that has been affected or not.

[mdrburchette]

One trick we would all benefit from is inserting a soft towel in the folds where the clear rear window is when the top is down. This should keep the rear window from getting distorted due to hot weather and partially melting, as well as keeping it from rubbing together. If I ever get a new top, I'll make sure I do this. Too late for the one I have now. I'm just patiently waiting for the sucker to wear out. 13 years and counting.

[perthling]

I normally pull my top up when the car is put away, but just leave the roof 'on the latch' - I hook one of the latches to the windscreen frame but don't overcentre it. This keeps the dust out (pretty much) and doesn't stretch the roof but ensures the folds in the rear window don't become permanent. But The temperature in my shed ranges from around 10 deg C to 40 deg C through the course of the year.

[joelbert2k]

Nick,
I have the same issue with my rear window. Top was installed last winter and was left down most of the summer. I now have a wavy and blurred area. I haven't investigated this too much but the bad spots seem to coincide with the pattern on the rear seatback. looks like some sort of interaction between the vinyl on the seat and the window. The heat didn't help much either.

Joel

[htchevyii]

I think up but not latched is best for long term storage, (although I latch mt cloth top 'cause it's still too tight and I ope it'll stretch)