Soft Top Storage

[vwbill]

Hi there,

New member, and I tried the search button first.

My question is that I have a 996 Cabrio and have teh optional hardtop. Should I be storing the car for the winter with the soft top up or the hardtop on?

I just want to figure out where I am storing the hardtop. Where I live the driving season for this sort of a car is only May-October so it will be stored under a cover, in a heated garage, on a 4 post lift for the winter.

The hadtop is cool, but I doubt I will ever use it unless I use it for winter storage.

Bill

[dmfconsult]

While my 996 is not convertible, I do have other convertibles, and everything I've come across says the top should be stored up. Which makes sense, as it stays taught over the frame and not folded.

[vwbill]

Thanks for the response, I seem to be hearing conflicting stories. A dealer locally said put the top up but don't buckle it down. The tension stretches the top?

Any other comments? Experiences?

Bill

[rusty1]

When i had the top replaced on my old SL500, the shop that did it for me made it a constant point to never leave the top down in the winter. It can cause the top to shrink a little and more importantly, leaving it closed (i.e. up) will keep the seal tighter. He actually preferred that even during the summer months when the car was parked in the garage, that i shoudl leave the top up and not down so that it woudl maintain its shape better. Also, i'm not sure what year 996 you have but if its pre-2002 (i.e. has the plastic rear window), than you definitely want to leave it up otherwsie if its down for an extended period, you could create a line or crease in the rear windown and worst case, if its ever cold while its down for an extended period, cause it to start to crack.

[dmfconsult]

One of the main reasons for not latching the top would be if you were going to put the car on a hoist or on jackstands to do some work under. I always unlatch convertible tops before raising the car to get underneath, as any body flex that occurs could damage/twist the top if it's latched down to the windshield frame.