Yes i know this has been beat to death but i want to see how many of you start and dont start your cars over the winter.

thanks

 

I used to be under the impression that starting the car a couple of times a week and letting it run for 15 minutes was good, but I've heard that unless you can get the car out and take it on a drive for at least an hour, you're doing it no good just starting it every so often.

From what I've been told, if you run it for short periods of time, condensation builds up in the exhaust, etc., and leads to rust, etc., but driving it at least an hour gets it hot enough to burn off the condensation.

I'm sure there are lots of opinions/ideas on the subject I've had my SS for alomst 6 years, and it doesn't get taken out much in the winter. So far, (fingers crossed) no problems.

 

I always thought that if you let your car sit without starting it for any period of time, the battery would die. I could be wrong though. But I always go out and start my mom's corvette during the winter just in case .

 

If the car is going to just sit for about 3 or 4 months, don't start it. However, you should put something similar to a Battery Tender on the battery to keep it from harm.

http://www.chaparral-racing.com/Chap...B6B95AF53B036A

 

I say pull the battery and say see ya in the spring. My old man has been storing his 68 vette for 15+ years. I don't think he's ever started it over winter unless for some odd reason he had to move it. I've been storing my T/A for 3 years now and havent started it. Just put it up on blocks for no flat spots in the tires, full gas tank with some stabil, take the battery out, cover it up and not take it out till all the salt and snow is gone.

 

I've been storing my camaro's every winter for only about 5 years now. I start it every month or so. I have a battery conditioner on it to. I let it run for a minimum of 20 mins or so. (Also like to hear it, kinda miss it after awhile )

 

I do the same as PipesTA. Pull the battery out and let her rest till spring. Been doing this to my '95 Z28 for 8 years now and the car has zero problems.

Jeff

 

I have been putting my car away every winter for 6+ months. I use an automatic battery charger to make sure it doesn't dip low. I only start it if I have to move it - which is typically once or twice. When I do start it, I drive it around a bit, I'm a bit fearfull of the brake calipers seizing up......

 

ill only be storing mine for like 3 months. i just put it away yesterday. And usually its ok to drive around mid to end march. thanks guys

 

a dozen cold non-lubricated starts....or one...

which do you think is worse?

i mean basically all the oil drains off the engine components within the first day or 2...so even once a week is still a dry-cold start.

sitting for a week and starting probably does just 95% of the wear on the components as a start after sitting for 3-4 months.

 

yeah thats my logic on it also. Its always such a controversial topic on here too.

 

PipesTA has the right idea for long storage for sure,but if you have to move your car every once in awhile it can be a pain in the butt, Teke184's idea is better for shorter storage. It seens I have to move mine out once or twice a month for one reason or another,so when I do I go for a ride around the neighborhood and get everything lubed up and then repark it and disconect the battery and let it set. Not starting IS deffenitlly better than starting.