Snow is on the ground and my GT3 has not been driven for 2-3 weeks now. Being they put a ton of salt down in my area the car will remain parked until we get rain to wash the roads down which most likely won't happen till spring.

Is it wise to start the car and let the engine idle up to operating temperature and give the car a few revs etc... or is it best to let it be till I can actually drive it?

 

Don't start till spring. Keep on battery maintainer. Stabilize fuel. Over inflate tires to about 55 psi.

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I wait for a good rain to wash the salt off the highway and temp in the 40's. Take it out for a drive being sure to get the engine up to operating temperature.

 

I am planning to drive it in my neighborhood. I don't think our roads are salted. Which battery maintainer should I use from Porsche?

 

How long do you think the battery lasts in the cold without being started?

 

The best is to start the car every month when sitting.
You MUST let it warm to operating temperatures. This burns off any condensation. The whole engine heat cycles and cools properly.
Condensation in the oil is evaporated by the oil temp heating up.
The oil also lubricates the moving parts in the engine and gives a fresh film in the cylinder bores.
As for driving, it would be good for transmission and bearings but the bad is the road salt/brines/calcium chloride etc.
I would not drive til you are able to with clean roads.
Although the car can handle salt for the time frame that most people own the car.

 

yes, the issue as I understand it...just starting up the car and letting it warm without driving it under load allows water condensation buildup in the oil that does not have time to evaporate. That is how I understand it anyway.

 

How cold?

I'd say more than a month, less than 3 months.

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Porsche or C-Tek. Use cigarette lighter. Close door on cord.

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Do you think you need fuel stabilizer for a few months? I was thinking that's more for 6+ month stretches

 

Yes. Easy enough to do. 2.5 ounces per gallon of fuel. My cars sit from mid October till mid March/April. Depending when the salts gone.

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Agreed. Although, I always used a trickle charger, stabilized and filled the tank, changed the oil, filled tires to 58 psi and parked on carpeted runners, I'd still start the engine every few weeks, about once a month and let it idle until the temps were up. I'd also move the car about a foot or so with each start up. If my driveway was free of ice and salt, I'd back out of the garage repeatedly and apply some brake pressure to clear the rotors. I used to think less cold starts were better, however, after more research and talking to some Porsche techs, I believe lubing the cylinders, heads, seals, etc. is a better choice. Now I live in warm climate so it's moot.

 

I use the Ctek but through the direct connect to the battery. I leave the front hood just slightly open. I've never been a fan of closing the seals on the cables long term.

I also start the car every few weeks and bring it up to temp. Today may be warm enough though for a little spin!

 

Like chicago over last 3 weeks...

 

I use a Porsche battery maintainer year round. More to protect and extend the health of the battery than concern about starting/not starting. I can easily get 6-8 years out of a factory Porsche battery.

It's plugged in the entire +5 months of winter hibernation.

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