For those who store their cars for the winter, how many of you guys use your car cover? I don't use mine because I like to start my car every few days and it just seems like a hassle to take the the cover off every time.

 

I use mine in the summer sometimes, not in the winter. After it's clean I don't want it to get too hot and dusty.

 

I use it and love it. My blond (Rio Yellow) is nice and toasty under there.

BTW...it is actually somewhat harmful to start the car just to run it for a while during winter (without actually driving it for a while). The friction at start up is detrimental. If you're worried about battery life, get a trickle charger.

 

Unless you use synthetic oil. Does it not form a film between the pistion and the cylnder wall, thereby eliminating startup friction?

 

I keep the car covered all the time.
What are we talking here 1 minute to take it on/off?
Even while sitting in the garage it would collect dust - I'd rather take 2 minutes to cover/uncover it when I want to drive it, than have to clean it.

 

i use it all the time.

 

are you guys using Honda OEM covers or have you purchased aftermarket covers? if aftermarket please provide reccomendations...

sorry for the hijack? I'm beyond self control today!

 

I don't understand that...what difference is there in one starting their car in the winter for 5-10 minutes, leaving it idle and then shutting down vs. starting their car in the winter, driving it to the store, coming home and then shutting it down?

Only difference I see are the wheels and gearbox are moving in the latter.

Friction, I would imagine, would be there anytime you start the car.

I start my S every week to get her blood moving, warm her heart, let her purr and then return her to her tight-fitted wool sweater (car cover)

 

You're right...in both instances you are starting the car. However, in one instance you are starting the car for a purpose (going to the store, etc), in the other scenario you are starting the car for no reason other than to "warm it up." Why start the car if you are not going to drive it? Is it better to have a 20 starts in a cold winter or 80 unwarranted starts just for giggles? Metal does not like friction.

The fact that the oil is synthetic is irrelevant. The viscosity ratings are the same for dino or man-made.

 

Now that I have a garage I only use the OEM.
When I bought the car last winter I purchased an outdoor cover from AutoAnything. I used this cover for a while and then realized when the wind buffeted the car it was chafing the car and scratched it. So I picked up the OEM cover (which is very soft) and put that on and then the outdoor cover over that.