Winter.....

I'm not too sure what this "Winter" thing that you mentioned is...but if I were you I would start the car once a every couple of weeks and let it idle a bit to come to temp. I've never been a fan of revving the engine of a car that hasnt been driven.

 

I never start my cars after the start of winter storage. I am concerned about the moisture build up in the car, not only the exhaust and oil that drains off the cylinder walls. I just do not think you can burn off the moisture idling in a garage, the same as if you are driving it. I would also be concerned about all of those starts on possibly dry cylinder walls I've been following this process for my three Summer-only cars for decades with no problem. They always start right up on the Spring. The cars are always on a battery tender and Sta-Bil in the fuel tank. I treat the rubber gaskets to prevent them from drying out and cracking, condition the leather in the interior, fill the tires to 50lbs and use cradles. It really is such a short period of downtime. I would not start the car.

 

Don't start it ..don't touch it ..keep in charger and you should overinflate the tires ..put 40 45 psi in them or whatever the tire side wall says is the max

Add a few boxes of Arm and hammer flow thru boxes on floor



I assume rodents are not an issue



Then come back in spring ..check pressure ..look to make no visible leaks ..start it up ..warm up a little(2 to 3 mins).listen for anything strange ..then drive nice and easy for 7 miles then open her up

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Unfortunately idling will probably never bring oil to the temp to burn off moisture ..hence the recommendation of leaving it alone.. our crankcases are pretty air tight ..so even the oil will not get any moisture from the surrounding air if left untouched ..once you start it fuel and water get into the oil and if you don't run it to at least boiling point (which is a struggle even when you push the cars ) that will remain in the oil and do more damage

I have a number of cars that go to sleep sometimes more than i care to mention ..

The next biggest issue is gas ..once you go beyond 6 months or a year ..best to throw a good additive in there like bg44 or Seafoam and at least 5 gallons or fresh gas .. and run gently until empty then fill with fresh gas

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Ethanol in the gas is a real issue to worry about. If you can’t run ethanol free gas for a few days before storage, you will want a stabilizer specifically made for gas with ethanol.

 

Good information. Shows you what a socal boy like me knows about winter storage lol.

 

Leave it alone. 40 lbs. (not max). Clean, detail and cover. Full tank. Stabilizer if you feel like it (short term). Say good night.

 

For me, full detail, car cover, battery tender attached but no car start until spring.

 

Agree with this. Living in Michigan the weather from Dec -March is problematic at best. I have never in my 30 yr of Ferrari ownership started my cars during their 'hibernation' period. The car just wont have an opportunity to get good and warm. You risk more problems with condensation. Hook up the battery tender, fill the gas tank, add some air to the tires and be done with it. March will be here soon enough.

 

You could also stick a note on the steering wheel to remind the tires are over inflated.

IF you are going to start the car then make sure you get the oil up to temp- you can hold lowish RPMs but dont sit there “free revving” the engine.


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I have followed the same winter storage procedure you do on many different cars and have yet to have a problem with a car starting up and running properly come spring.

 

My 488 is sitting on flat stoppers, the tires are at 50 PSI, on a tender of course and the garage is 55. I will not start it until it’s time to take it in for spring service. I don’t see any benefit to dry starting the engine periodically throughout the winter.

 

It is currently 11 degrees in NY. Roads are clear and dry, but obviously cold. My car has been sitting for the last couple of months. I understand not starting it if you are only going to let it idle. But what is the general feeling about taking it out occasionally and bringing it up to temperature rather than just letting it sit, even in the cold? Better or worse than just letting it sit until the spring.

 

Better .. as long as you see oil temp over 175 ..Do a spirited drive ....you might hear a few more creaks until it gets warm. Most cars if not all love cold brisk air once warmed up

Cold day like today will take 15;or mile miles to get up to temp at least .

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I took the 458 out yesterday and im in NYC like you. Went for a nice ride to Short Hills to grab a few things before Miami at the end of the week. Don't get me wrong I get not taking this thing out in the snow and whatnot, but the car wont melt in the winter LOL. Since my car was delivered one month ago I knew I couldn't go months without driving it. I threw a set of Pirelli Sottozerro 3's on the car and now don't have to worry about the roads as much. Even in this extremely cold weather the oil got up to temp within 5 minutes, the tires however never really got over 100 although considering they actually have tread patterns and are made for cold climates, im nowhere near as worries as if I was running on the summers

 

I'm also in NY, and try to use it all winter long, as long as the streets are dry and salt free.
However, I run on summer tires, so I drive like a little old lady in the winter (<45 degrees). Summer tires can feel like they are riding on ice when very cold! (Especially if they are older, or Pirellis)