Poll: Winter storage to start or not to start

I start my Ferrari in the winter and if the roads are clear of snow, ice, or salt, then I'll take it for a short drive to get the flat spots off the tires.

However, I do NOT start my Ferrari with the engine freezing cold. My garage is partially heated so it isn't being started in ice cold conditions.

Winter is about 3 months long here in Northern Virginia, so I only do this about 4 or 5 times throughout the winter.
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If you have a good battery tender, there is no reason to start it. If you're worried about the tires, inflate them to 45 psi and roll the car a few inches every couple weeks.

Now on the other hand, if you start it to drive it, that's great!

 

No reason to start the car. And truthfully starting has no real benifit . Now if you started it and drove it around the block getting all systems worked up that would be different.
Just put fuel stabilizer in it.. hook up battery tender and it will be fine for 6 months.it does does not hurt to add air to the tires but not really necessary

 

I always start and run my cars in winter. If there is a lot of snow on the streets I will not drive. I always run every electrical system also. Wipers, lights, horn, antenna, etc.

 

I used to be of the mindset: if I start it, I'm driving it.

However, my mechanic has advised me to run the cars every few weeks. Even if they have to stay in place. This doesn't help the differential, though you could probably move it slightly inside the garage. But it does help the motor. It seems to me the worst thing would be to let it sit for too long. Fuel lines, engine parts, everything just subjected to gravity and fluids and lubrication settling/ going away. Just don't go bananas revving the motor.

And I think its also helpful to operate the various systems like lights and HVAC etc.

I should add my garage is heated. I think the issue is when the car is warm to hot and the outside temps are super cold and the temperature differential allows for condensation... So I usually try to coordinate running the cars on more mild winter days....

 

it makes no sense only to get the engine warm about 20 minutes. the gearbox not getting warm to avoid condensation

so not starting, and if then also driving

 

As was mentioned, fuel drying up gets gummy, oiled components and seals dry up. Engines are designed to run and are happiest when running. The more you keep an engine in regular use the longer the life span in hours of run time it will have. Everything ages whether it's used or not. Use it, repair what gets worn, use it. Best way to form a bond with your vehicle. If I'm scared to start an engine, it's because the thing is probably a mechanical POS to begin with!

 

I'm with you.

Not that we really have a winter where I'm from.

 

I don't start mine unless I'm driving it.

 

100 points

 

despite what people say my intuition for whatever its worth tells me not to start unless I'm going to drive. ive owned many garage queens for 20 years and this has served me well. Letting a car idle for 20 mins with the fuel just sitting there cant be good in my opinion.

 

When I bought My 348 two years ago from an independent Ferrari specialist, they advised Me to run the engine up at least once a week until the oil was up to normal operating temperature in the winter if the car wasn't being driven, to keep the oil circulated all around the engine, and to help prevent the seals from drying out.

They said that whilst the car was sat doing nothing for months on end, the oil was only going one way - Downwards. (Yes a thin film of oil should remain on the parts, but they said it's not ideal for the engine).

As for worries about the gearbox getting condensation: If you were that concerned, how hard would it be to make a secure frame to attach to the rear end of the car, take the rear wheels off, and run the car through the gears with the rear end off the ground? - It wouldn't take that much engineering to make!

 

I definitely do not start unless I am going to drive.

Would rather it sit for a few months than add a ton of cold starts to the equation.

Even in warmer months, I have to drive for at least 15 minutes before oil is fully up to temp, couldn't imagine how long it must take to reach full oil temp idling in the winter, especially if the garage isn't heated.

 

18 yrs in and i always start during the winter. I pick a decent warmest day possible , not a -10 of course.

Fire it up, pump the brakes, use the heater and a/c , run the pop up lights, etc .... A good 35 minutes in the driveway, even up and down to use the clutch sit a bit.

These are mechanical, and a full warm up to help make sure things don't get seized, or dried out I think is important. Even the belts and bearings, good to keep things lunricated during the down season....

 

I've ceased the practice of winter starts that aren't necessary, after having Had the oil tested before returning the vehicle to service in the spring and finding a 3% fuel dilution of the oil.

 

Most engine wear occurs on a cold start. So why do that?

 

So wait 6 months and lose most of the cylinder lubrication and maximize the wear at start, or start every month and maximize lubrication on the cylinders and minimize wear. My theory anyway.

 

After nearly 30 years of owning various classic cars, I've come to the conclusion that anyone debating this is, by virtue of the fact that you consider this at all, doing a much better job than the typical prior owner of what becomes the next generation's "barn find".

Also, I, personally, have not held on to any one vehicle for longer than 7 years (and that one was the Gallo 328 GTS I sold at the bottom of the market in 2013). I suspect we all, in one way or another, do as Jim Glickenhaus warns against, and keep our girlfriends pure for the next boyfriend.

 

I suspect that IF it mattered there wouldn't be any debate.
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A part from the fuel stabiliser that is exactly what I do. If I need to get to something in the garage rear cupboard (car up against it) I push it back a foot or so as I did this weekend to get my leaf blower out. However if I have to start it then I take it out on the drive and warm it and take it for a jaunt around the block. This has been debated over and over and it seems there may well be pros and cons to both.
My garage is attached to the house and heated. Not as warm as inside the house (about 7°C less) and dehumidified to about 50%. I have never bothered over inflating the tyres.
One year when it was at my parents house I put it on axle stands and mainly because I had the wheels refurbished and it made it easy. When I took it off the stands I neglected to apply the handbrake straight away (forgot). Went in the house for a coffee and 15 minutes later on my return saw it (yes indeed after I opened the house door) roll all by itself down and out of the garage into my mother's car. That was an expensive winter .

That is indeed another debate. Do you use it over winter and if so what are the pros and cons (in the UK we annually use salt on the road)?

 

If your engine sits for a month, it has already "died up" as much as it can.

If you start it at least once a week and let it idle for 20 mins, well you keep it oiled, but you foul your valves and plugs. That being said, many wet cold starts are still worse than one dry. The engine is not completely dry after all.

If you can, drive your car once or twice over the winter months, otherwise, leave it alone.

It's a shame our cars don't come with a pre-oiler.

 

That is indeed another debate. Do you use it over winter and if so what are the pros and cons (in the UK we annually use salt on the road)?[/QUOTE]

Yeah in New York they put down a mountain of salt at the very hint of snow. No winter driving here.

 

Leave it alone. Full tank, Battery tender, don't start it if leaving it for 3-6 months (or more). 50PSI in tires if you are anal (and leave sticky note on your steering wheel reminding yourself to properly adjust the pressure) if 3-6 month storage.

Been doing this for over 25 years, no problems. Sometimes a slight tire noise, that goes away the first few mins when the tires warm up during the first drive if the car sat for 3-4 months until spring.