gerry100

Last winter( my first with my '86 3.2) I was able to get out for a drive at least once every 10 days due to favorable weather/road conditions.

This winter we've had 2 20in snow storms, numerous smaller drops and below freezing temps. The roads are both salt and ice encrusted, not conditions for my Pcar.

I've been starting the car(weekly) and running it until the oil temp gets past the 1st hash (20-25min)before shutting off. This in the hopes of keeping the battery charged and the cylinders clean and lubricated.

My question is whether it is better to do this, subjecting the motor to otherwise pointless cold starts, or to leave it sit and charge the battery when conditions are right for a drive.(could be weeks)

Ideas/opinions appreciated.

Bill Gregory

Gerry,

Before the snow, notice we had a real bumper crop of acorns this year too?

Most recommend not starting it. I put gasoline preservative in the tank before I filled it for the last time, changed the oil, increased the air in the tires towards the max, and took the battery out. Put the battery in the basement on a 2x6, so it's off the concrete floor, and put a charger on it at the first of each month. Been doing this for years, everything works fine each spring.

Dean

I personally wouldn't do that. I think it puts more moisture in the oil.
Dean

Jay H

Gerry:

I'd agree with Bill and Dean. Disconnect the negative terminal on the battery, pump the tires up and let 'er sit.

Idling the car won't charge the battery much or at all even if it idles for a very long time. The alternator is just not spinning enough to produce enough juice to charge the battery sufficiently.

Idling for an extended period of time is one of the worst things you can do to a motor.

Good luck
Jay
90 964
(Zero snow in Wisconsin!)

zzopit

I am in NY as well. As long as there is little/no visable salt on the roads I try to take it out for a warm-up run every weekend, 20-30 mts to keep the juices flowing (my own as well).

I was told NOT to let it idle in the driveway, just fire-up and drive on, wash as needed.

This advice came from the original owner who put 200K miles on the car, works for us...

John Adams

I've been starting mine once a month and let it warm up then drive it up and down the driveway a few times with the AC on. I cant't see how this is worse than getting stuck in bumper to bumper traffic when it 90 degrees outside. Plus I want to keep the seals in the engine and in the AC circuit lubricated. I have a leak free engine and want to keep it that way.

Our neighborhood looks like a beach with all that sand that was dumped. It will be "JULEMBER" before I can leave the neighborhood without my car getting sandblasted to death.

Perkins

Gerry,
It states very clearly in my 1980 SC owner's manual not to let the car idle for an extended period of time. It says to start the engine and get moving.

Regardless of the road conditions, I try and drive my car once every 10 to 14 days. Fortunately, for us here in DC - the snow and salt are not that prevalent.

I think Bill G.'s advice above is great.

best of luck,
Maurice
1980 SC Coupe

Bryan Moore

On an Audi A4 web forum I saw a post from someone asking "I live .5 mi from work - is it bad for me to drive my car to work each day?" Think how he'd get flamed on this forum for such a dumb question.

gerry100

Thanks for the inputs, I think I'll quit the warmups and jump start the battery when the weather breaks and the roads get a little cleaner.

ZZOPit- I like your approach but you have to realize that all cars are white up here now and I think our salt residue is deeper than your snow pack on the Island. It was -16 this morning and I think the carwashes are forzen shut.

Spring is coming.

Alan G.

If you strore the car outside, it is more important to take the battery out or keep it charged. An uncharged battery has a much lower freezing point and can be ruined.