Stored in several bends is different than being stretched tight and hard to spec on the car just sitting in place.
As long as you run it for a reasonable time I think running it is a good thing, as is operating all the motors etc. I've never heard of an exotic car storage place that doesn't do this. Bit over the top, perhaps, but a really nice facility I've seen over here not only runs your engine, they put your car in an elevator to take it to the floor with the rolling road on it. We're not talking rolling road as in rollers in the ground, we're talking an actual surface - think tread mill for cars. Overall, I'd say do what the really expensive car storage places do and you can't go far wrong. That includes running, electrics, etc. regarding running, I'm not really doing it just for the belt, more to move all the mechanical bits around to prevent them getting too stiff. Besides, you've got to tinker with your car a little over the winter.
When storing a car, any car, if you are going to run it then it needs to be driven for a good 20 miles to get everything up to temp and work the suspension, brakes properly etc.Don't just start it and let it sit there idling, this does more harm than good.Basically, start it and drive or just leave it.
Can someone explain to me why starting and running the car for say maybe 15 min would hurt it in any way? Sure maybe the wheels and rubber bushings wouldn't get a work out but why would it harm the car? If anything I would think it would be beneficial. If it's started and brought up to temperature and then shut off why is that bad? I start my Honda many times each winter for periods of around 15 mins. Sure it gets a short drive to the grocery store or someplace close but really what is the difference other than the obvious? I'm not trying to argue anything, I really don't understand...
Good point. I know for sure the car cannot be taken out at all. All I can do is idle/rev for as long as I want. Seems logical that the engine gets the same workout and fluids going by doing this, doesn't it?
Just drive it 15 miles on a light snowy day, big deal. Or you can always ship it to me here in Sunny So Cal, I'll take care of it Image Unavailable, Please Login
I was just going to say that She can park right next to her evil sister in my shop and I will have my detailer take great care of it for you Image Unavailable, Please Login
I wouldn't mind taking her out for a spin on a day without snow except winter tires are mandatory in Quebec between dec.15 and March 15. so I cannot do that!
The issue is with anything that is stone cold Start up causes the most amount of damage on every engine some believe that letting it sit is better. My experience and conversations with engineers tell me otherwise. It's what you prefer....it's like the chicken and the egg debate,
running it for 15 minutes just creates a lot of condensation. its a great way to destroy your exhaust system and probably some other expensive stuff
Over 13 yrs running , and not necessarily true...15 is at the very least run time. common sense has to be used....your winter start up should not be at -15C .... One should wait when weather breaks at 0 degrees Celsius ....sorry don't know what it is in farenhiet. Also, a heated garage of sorts is key, that is not damp. Nobody should be starting any cold stone car sitting in storage for the winter when it's super cold out. Nobody ever mentions this, but its important to address. Yes,I suggest starting.
Well Bernie, I guess you were right after all. I will ask Ralph what he thinks but not starting it is actually gonna be much easier I think. I have an Alfa 75 in Italy that goes 11 months not used every year and, everytime we start it it starts immediately, never had a leak or any issues and we've been doing that for a long time. When I purchased the car, it seemed to be sitting outside neglected for a really long time. It never had a major since its purchase 16 years before. Car had 13600 miles and had zero leaks and zero engine issues. After I did my major last year, the car sat in the bodyshop over 4 months without ever starting it. When April came and we finally started it, it ran fine and has been running fine since then. Even if it is better to start, there is no clear evidence or clear cut logical reason to do so it seems. On the oher hand, not starting it seems not to do any harm at all as far as I've experienced so I suppose Not starting is the way to go...
I'm trying to understand this so let me ask a couple of questions. If I start (any car) in a cold environment and let it run for only 15 min rather I drive it or let it idle I would then be destroying it... Is this right? So what happens if it's let to run longer say 30 min... Does this then get rid of all the condensation in the exhaust? Is condensation in the exhaust the major concern with starting the car in the winter?
I also must point out that starting the car, at least for me, will require that I back it out of the garage to prevent exhaust fumes from going in the house of course. So the heated garage will suddenly get cold (could be about minus 15 celsius, sorry I don't know Farheneit) and the back end of the car will also be in a very cold environment for about 20 minutes while I warm up the car and once it's done it will go forward into the garage where the room will gradually get warmer as the engine compartment gets cooler. These are all ideal condensation conditions so more and more I guess it's best not to start it.
That's the key I mentioned fab, a stored car in a heated garage should not be turned over at - 15 degrees celcuis ....should wait for a day or two in row where it hovers around 0.
Yes, it's the condensation in the exhaust , and the carbon build up in the engine....depending on where you live, we are only talking about starting the car up maybe 4 times over the winter...from say December - April .... A good 30 minutes is enough, pull it out of the garage, pump your brakes Abit, run the heater /ac .... Just keeps the clutch and calibar a from sticking... And other moving parts... Also, leave your windows rolled down just a touch before storage so the glass is not pushed up so hard up against the rubber. Just wait for decent winter weather once a month or on the 5 week or so when it's sunny. It's also good to check to see is any mice have found there way as well into compartments.
The car looks nice, whose the guy in the picture that forgot to clean his mouth after drinking chocholate milk ?
So what was the end result to this? I just purchased a 355,I live in mtl, what's the best way to store it in your experience? Sent from my SM-G981W using Tapatalk
