Winter Storage
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Winter Storage
Not going to store our 2006 S2K for the winter here in upstate SC, but will probably drive it less. Are there any recommendations on how often the car should be driven to keep all the various parts healthy? Any precautions to take if it sits for a couple of weeks at a time?
Thanks,
Kevin
Thanks,
Kevin
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I would not worry about a couple of weeks at a time. If it is cooler and it is going to sit that long or longer then a battery tender is not a bad idea but maybe not completely necessary. Starting up every now and then just to do it really just adds more cold starts with not really any benefit.
Joined: Aug 2012
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What he said. Starting just to warm it up is a really bad idea. Leave or drive it.
Engine wear highest when cold. Idling with no load is slowest way to warm it up. So the whole time you're running it during storage warm up its seeing highest wear rate of its life.
Not to mention all the combustion byproducts and moisture you're contaminating into your oil, and moisture into exhaust system.
Service manual says to warm it up during storage, but its only because they don't want liability of telling people to use a battery tender and getting sued by idiots that misuse a charger (battery blowing up in someones face, etc.) Safer for idiots to keep battery charged by running engine.
If you're not an idiot, use a battery tender, and don't start during storage.
If storing for any real length of time (more than a couple months), fill tank, add fuel stabilizer, remove fuel pump fuse and let run into it dies. Overinflate tires a bit to prevent flat spots, or place onto jack stands if feasible.
Leave top up, but unlatched. Windows cracked open an inch or so. Heater controls on recirculate (keep mice out). Rags or something between wiper and glass.
Moisture absorbing bags (amazon) in interior. Rags up exhaust and intake (mice).
There are other steps if storing for more than several months.
But for storing over a short winter, just top off fuel, top up unlatched, windows cracked, and the mice stuff is all you'll need to do.
Engine wear highest when cold. Idling with no load is slowest way to warm it up. So the whole time you're running it during storage warm up its seeing highest wear rate of its life.
Not to mention all the combustion byproducts and moisture you're contaminating into your oil, and moisture into exhaust system.
Service manual says to warm it up during storage, but its only because they don't want liability of telling people to use a battery tender and getting sued by idiots that misuse a charger (battery blowing up in someones face, etc.) Safer for idiots to keep battery charged by running engine.
If you're not an idiot, use a battery tender, and don't start during storage.
If storing for any real length of time (more than a couple months), fill tank, add fuel stabilizer, remove fuel pump fuse and let run into it dies. Overinflate tires a bit to prevent flat spots, or place onto jack stands if feasible.
Leave top up, but unlatched. Windows cracked open an inch or so. Heater controls on recirculate (keep mice out). Rags or something between wiper and glass.
Moisture absorbing bags (amazon) in interior. Rags up exhaust and intake (mice).
There are other steps if storing for more than several months.
But for storing over a short winter, just top off fuel, top up unlatched, windows cracked, and the mice stuff is all you'll need to do.
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