Winterizing Questions
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Winterizing Questions
I recently read that you don't need to run your car once a month while it's layed up for the winter. I've always been under the impression that it was good for it to be ran one a month to circulate fluids. What are your thoughts on this?
#2
Supreme Member
iTrader: (2)
Re: Winterizing Questions
I live in northern Wi. The car and Harley, lawn mower stay covered for 6 months. I keep the battery charged, and that's it. It's actually harder on vehicles to start them in cold weather and not run them to operating temps. They condensate in the motor. and the exhaust system collects water.
#3
Re: Winterizing Questions
I start my stored vehicles and move them around a few times over the winter. They get up to full temperature and moved around, at least in the driveway and in/out of the garage. I've been doing that for over 20 years so far without problems.
Short runs could be a problem, as was mentioned.
Short runs could be a problem, as was mentioned.
#5
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Re: Winterizing Questions
Thanks for the advice and it looks like I will just need a trickle charger and some steel wool for the tail pipes. It's a shame that the new kid at my apartment complex will have to wait til spring to hear a real car. He sits there and revs up his Ford Focus with exhaust tip.... Even my dog hates it.
#6
On Probation
Re: Winterizing Questions
[QUOTE=Ragin;6183836] It's a shame that the new kid at my apartment complex will have to wait til spring to hear a real car. He sits there and revs up his Ford Focus with exhaust tip.... Even my dog hates it.
LOL!
LOL!
#7
Supreme Member
iTrader: (2)
Re: Winterizing Questions
Thanks for the advice and it looks like I will just need a trickle charger and some steel wool for the tail pipes. It's a shame that the new kid at my apartment complex will have to wait til spring to hear a real car. He sits there and revs up his Ford Focus with exhaust tip.... Even my dog hates it.
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#10
Moderator
Re: Winterizing Questions
I put Stabil in the tank. Park it, disconnect battery, and let it sit for 6 months. Absolutely no problems in over 16 years. No flat spots on tires...etc
#11
Re: Winterizing Questions
Sta-Bil is preferable to SeaFoam. SeaFoam contains water, whereas Sta-Bil suppresses the vapor point of the distillates. I also use Sta-Bil and add a pint of 2-cycle oil in the last tank of fuel for the season. Prior to doing this I had pulled injectors a few times for cleaning in early spring, and never had to again after doing this.
Is this being stored indoors or out?
Is this being stored indoors or out?
#13
Member
Re: Winterizing Questions
This is the second year that I have stored it in a Car Bag with desiccant. I have a remote humidity meter in the bag and the humidity never goes over 55. Its in a garage. Highly recommend one.
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Louis
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Louis
#14
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Car: 1989 GTA
Engine: SuperRam 350
Transmission: Pro Built S/S TH700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.27
Re: Winterizing Questions
Did this for many a years back in my Canada days.
Fill the gas tank full. Disconnect battery. Leave inside garage.....That was it. Come spring, re-hook up battery, charge the battery. Start up and go driving. The tires would feel a little lumpy for about 5 minutes (getting back to round). After that, the tires stayed in their normal round position all summer long. I went 19 years on the original Gatorbacks. Replaced the battery twice in 15 years.
Basically batteries hate heat more than they do cold. Acid sulfation occurs more in hot climates. As for starting it up once a month vs letting it stay off for the whole winter. I see no reason to start it up. Cold starts are the hardest thing on an engine. And unless you're actually driving it somewhere, the transmission and rear end will never heat up their oils. Nothing is wearing out by letting it sit there.
Now if you're talking about letting it sit for 5 years unstarted, then yeah you might run into some problems with oils hardening, gasoline turning to shoe polish etc. But for one winter? No problem.
Fill the gas tank full. Disconnect battery. Leave inside garage.....That was it. Come spring, re-hook up battery, charge the battery. Start up and go driving. The tires would feel a little lumpy for about 5 minutes (getting back to round). After that, the tires stayed in their normal round position all summer long. I went 19 years on the original Gatorbacks. Replaced the battery twice in 15 years.
Basically batteries hate heat more than they do cold. Acid sulfation occurs more in hot climates. As for starting it up once a month vs letting it stay off for the whole winter. I see no reason to start it up. Cold starts are the hardest thing on an engine. And unless you're actually driving it somewhere, the transmission and rear end will never heat up their oils. Nothing is wearing out by letting it sit there.
Now if you're talking about letting it sit for 5 years unstarted, then yeah you might run into some problems with oils hardening, gasoline turning to shoe polish etc. But for one winter? No problem.