My car is sitting in my garage for winter but should I start my car once or twice a month or leave it sitting w/o starting the car...? Someone told me to start the car and others say it's not a good idea to just idle the car...I'm confused now. Also, someone told me that I don't have to change the oil now but to change it in spring b4 I start driving again...

 

I'd change the oil before storage. I just disconnect the battery and don't start the car the whole time in storage. This year, my car is not on blocks like last year and the battery is connected because I'm going to change it in the spring anyway. If you leave the battery connected, I think you should let it run every couple of weeks. Maybe ten minutes at a time or so.

 

You should start it up at least once a month and let the engine warm up to temp .... this will help prevent any moisture build up

 

Well, are you even more confused yet?

The starting of the car is not for battery maintence, or for moisture prevention.

There are two basic theories on this. However, both generally agree to store the car with fresh oil and a full tank of gas. Condensation can form in a gas tank, and the smaller the volume of air, the smaller ammount of condensation is possible.

Put a tender on the battery or charge it every two weeks or so wether you leave it connected or not.

One theory is to start the car every month or so to re-coat the engine parts (particulary the top end) in oil. You should run the engine long enough to get it COMPLETELY up to operating temperature. This prevents condensation in the exhaust system which could rust it from the inside out and also makes sure that the top end gets completely coated as cold and more viscous oil will not flow as well.

The downside to this is that as the car sits all the oil runs down into the pan making starts under these conditions the most harsh starts the car will ever see. Also, the idea of the freshest oil possible starts to go out the window depending on how long you store the car (read: the more times you start the car and let it run.)

Personally, I don't start or run the car in the winter. I change the oil right before storage, wash the car, condition the interior and seals. I top off the gas tank and add Sta-Bil. I disconnect the battery and put it on a charger. I leave the top latches unlatched and the top retracted EVERY so slightly. I leave the windows cracked slightly also. I also leave the car out of gear, and the emergency brake released and a block of wood to chock the wheels.

 

Most engine wear takes place during a cold-start, why put your car through that multiple times during the winter when once in the spring will do? I believe that the car is best off just stored away and not touched again until its ready to come out for the season.

 

ok fine maybe I just start my S every couple weeks just hear it purr again

What can I say it's tuff seeing the car everyday and not being able to drive it

And my S is kept in a heated garage so it's not as tuff on it

 

I'm just going to drive it when it's nice. Next couple of days are suppose to be nice so I'll be driving my s. Thanks.

 

Mine is tucked away in a storage warehouse underneath its cover. I won't be seeing it again until April

 

Do whatever you want, nothing will happen to it. I know this sounds stupid but alot of the stuff like this is not that big of a deal and people overreact. Starting your car once a month in cold weather won't hurt it.

 

You have a point. It may reduce the lifespan by 2-3 days over a service life of 30-40 years. Go nuts.