I live in Massachusetts, and driving my 05 is getting to be very limited. As long as there is no snow or salt on the road I will be driving it, but like I said I expect that to be very limited and maybe at times my car may sit for 3 weeks or so. Should I at leat start it up once a week and rev the motor a few times after the motor warms up a bit. Is there anything I should do add to the gas etc. Any feed back would be appreciated.


Thanks

 

[QUOTE=SNOWBALL1,Nov 23 2005, 11:30 AM] Should I at leat start it up

 

Thanks. So If I start it up I should drive it some ? Where would you pick up one of these smart chargers. I know this is a dumb question but what is the ECU ? Something control unit

 

If you expect to keep the same tank of gas for the few winter months or more I think you might want to look into a gas additive which removes water from the tank. Heet is one and STP has one as well I think. I would definately start off with the tank full of gas.

xviper, What do you think about the gas adder?

 

The ECU is your car's brain. It doesn't mind adequate voltage or no voltage but it doesn't like diminishing voltage.
Starting a car once a week and not subjecting it to the normal loads of driving and getting it up to operating temps is putting the engine through cold start wear and tear for no reason. It's a waste and is unnecessary.
A "smart" charger is one that samples your battery's voltage constantly and keeps it topped up when necessary. It turns itself on and off automatically. A very popular brand is "Battery Tender". Call some of your auto parts stores, motorcycle shops or RV shops. Many of these will carry smart chargers.
Here's the one I use from time to time:

 

Not sure about Austin, but most gas stations around here convert to "winter" gas that has gasline antifreeze added to it. This also keeps the water from separating out. During the few months that you have the same gas in the tank, it won't "go bad", if that is one of your concerns. Modern day gas have enough additives in it to be stabile for months. If you are worried about condensation, just keep the gas tank topped up (above 1/2) or just throw in a bottle of gasline antifreeze and be done with it.

 

Don't park it, drive it.

 

The owner's manual recommends leaving the car in Reverse gear with the emergency brake disengaged.

There were a few other pointers in there too. Such as putting the convertible top up and cracking a window for ventilation.

 

This thread started out with "ocassional" driving of the car. Then we progressed into "storing" the car. These are two different issues. If you are going to "store" the car, I would recommend you read this for full details:

https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=247621

 

I drive mine through the winter but "limitedly" like you mention. There are a lot of good driving days and opportunities for road trips that I don't want to miss. I usually park it for heavy snow, but venture out when roads have been plowed.

For winter driving in Wisconsin I have installed a hardtop and a block heater. I have a set of Dunlop SP5000 all season radials and use a "battery tender" when parked. I try to wash the car to get the salt dust off whenever it is above freezing and I slide an oscillating garden sprinkler under the car for an under body wash on occasion. A good coat of wax before cold weather is recommended as well as some attention to the rubber boots underneath as mentioned in one of xvipers DIY posts. Go easy when you first start out and let all fluids get up to working temps ... yes, I have LE607 in the differential year round.

I stored it during the first winter I owned it and it drove me nuts not to be able to drive it on nice sunny winter days. I am too old not to get as much out of this car while I can ... why save it for the next owner?

I found the "battery tender" at the local Harley Davidson dealer for about $25 ... the one with the Harley emblem was $45. Just plug it in whenever you park it since you don't know how long it might sit before your next opportunity to take it out.

Top down driving in the cold gets some great looks, but with a plastic rear window it is not recommended ...