How to get your Malibu ready for winter
When the days get noticeably shorter, the wind fresher and the temperatures cooler, it’s time to get your Malibu ready for winter.
Whether you are going winter camping or mothballing your Malibu over the winter months. There are a few things to bear in mind! In our article, we give you the most important tips for mothballing. In our checklist you will also find the most important tips for getting started with winter camping.
The checklist for mothballing over the winter.
- Inspect your motorhome/van all round and look out for pockets of dirt from leaves or soil (especially on the frame and underbody). There is a risk of rust forming there due to the moisture that may develop.
- Clean the drains of doors and thresholds.
- Wash your motorhome/van, polish it and seal it with wax.
- Maintain the windows and door seals with solvent-free rubber care product (Vaseline).
- Always fill up your vehicle with petrol before you park it (diesel). Top up with AdBlue.
- Clean and disinfect the fresh and waste water tanks. Empty the tanks completely.
- Always check the antifreeze for the coolant and windscreen wiper system.
- Charge the starter and supply battery.
- Put the Li batteries into sleep mode.
- Seal all openings (windows, doors and pipes, etc.) to prevent animals from entering.
- When your vehicle is stationary, put it into gear and release the handbrake. This will prevent the handbrake from sticking during the winter.
- It is best to park your vehicle dry and jacked up to reduce the load on the tyres.
- Inflate the tyres to around 0.5 bar above the normal operating pressure. Recommended: use tyre wells – this will prevent damage from standing.
Interior
- Close the gas cylinders, disconnect them and put the protective caps on the cylinders.
- Leave the refrigerator slightly open in the ventilation position.
- Where possible, put the cushions up so that air can circulate all round.
- To avoid excessive humidity in the motorhome/van, it is best to use dehumidifier granules (usually effective for 2-3 months).
Ready for winter camping
- Check the heating, boiler and fan in good time before setting off.
- Check that the lights are working properly, including the parking lights.
- Care for door and window rubbers with solvent-free rubber care products (Vaseline).
- Check that all technical inspection stickers (TÜV, AU, gas) are still valid.
- Check the fill levels in the engine compartment.
- Use windscreen antifreeze, which should be suitable down to at least minus 25 degrees.
- Lubricate the jack-up supports with salt water-resistant winch grease.
- Seal the wheel arches and parts of the frame with underbody wax.
- Wash your vehicle, seal it and allow it to dry thoroughly.
- Replace the windscreen wiper rubbers.
- Check the starter and on-board battery. If there is a white layer on the terminals, clean the terminals and coat them with terminal grease. Check the screw contacts for tightness. Even with maintenance-free wet batteries, you should always check the fluid level and top up with distilled water if necessary.
You are welcome to download and print out the checklist:
