Hello Guys, I decided to drive my car in the winter as long as there is now snow or salt in the ground. Anyways I am located in Manheim, PA where temperatures are already in the 30s (average). My garage is not heated and it is only about 10 degrees over the outside temperature. I plan to start the car every week or two during the winter and if weather is reasonable take it for a drive on the weekends. I will be out of the country for two weeks the end of this month and I am wondering if I should do anything like dicconecting the battery or leave the trickle charger connected, etc? some of you guys are in colder temperatures any issues with starting the car after it sits for a couple weeks? Thanks, Francisco
I would disconnect the battery if sitting for long periods of time. I would not start the car unless you plan to let the oil get to full temperature. Starting it often in extremely cold weather and not allowing oil to reach full temperature will just end up wearing the engine more and building up condensation.
+1 on starting the car without allowing the oil to reach full operating temperature. In addition, you also cause condensation in other engine and even body parts, increasing the risk of corrosion. Purchase a good quality, microprocessor-controlled battery charger. I own the model from Griot's Garage and have had very good luck with it. If you allow the battery to completely discharge you will shorten its life and risk having the case crack from the electrolyte freezing (if it's a non-glass mat type battery like Optima). If the battery does discharge fully, remember, you need to allow the Motronic ECU to re-learn its parameters by allowing the car to idle for approximately 10 min with ALL electrical equipment off.
How long does it take tipically for oil to reach full temperature? is this a good practice (every weekend) in winter or is better to let the car sit with battery disconnected for 3 months?
+1....I would get a trickle charger, but if you are going to disconnect I would bring the battery inside and let it sit in room temperature all winter as opposed to sitting in your garage.
About 20-25 minutes at idle. Just use a Battery Tender or other trickle charger. Keep it plugged in! Many folks keep these cars plugged in every night.
Have you considered getting some type of block heater that could be turned on for several hours prior to starting? That way it would take less time for the oil to reach operating temps.
+1. I live in a cold environment from about November to March, when I park it I plug in the tender and leave it on, with the exception of turning it off for a day or two every few weeks.
