starting a car in storage.
Discussion
An old topic: to run up to temperature every few weeks or not....
i have a modern car in a carcoon for 4 winter months.
So, on the one hand modern cars can be best just left alone, on the other hand i feel an occasional warm up is beneficial, not least to the AC system.
Having read many threads on this topic i've decided on the following plan:
- start the car every 5 weeks
- warm up the carcoon first, mostly to ensure that the AC will work
- after initial start, rev at near 2k
- after 5 mins increase to 2-3k
- keep the car running for at least 40 mins to ensure fully warm. switching between idle and medium revs
- use all the pedals (i roll tyres every 2 weeks anyway)
Any comments???
I presume AC seals would dry out less in winter anyway? But to fix a dried out broken AC system is often v.expensive.
i have a modern car in a carcoon for 4 winter months.
So, on the one hand modern cars can be best just left alone, on the other hand i feel an occasional warm up is beneficial, not least to the AC system.
Having read many threads on this topic i've decided on the following plan:
- start the car every 5 weeks
- warm up the carcoon first, mostly to ensure that the AC will work
- after initial start, rev at near 2k
- after 5 mins increase to 2-3k
- keep the car running for at least 40 mins to ensure fully warm. switching between idle and medium revs
- use all the pedals (i roll tyres every 2 weeks anyway)
Any comments???
I presume AC seals would dry out less in winter anyway? But to fix a dried out broken AC system is often v.expensive.
PositronicRay said:
Unless you drive it and warm it up properly I think it's pretty pointless IMO. It may even do more harm than good, condensation in the exhaust and revving the engine with no load.
I wouldn't even rotate the tyres, just over inflate them. (don't do what I did though and forget to reset the pressure, first drive after hibernation and I thought the handling a bit skittish)
rotating the tyres is easy enough for me, i just roll a few inches back then a few inches forward next time. They're also over inflated and on mats.I wouldn't even rotate the tyres, just over inflate them. (don't do what I did though and forget to reset the pressure, first drive after hibernation and I thought the handling a bit skittish)
The temp reached 80 deg after 20 mins, so i hope the exhaust was warming up nicely for the next 20mins, the exhaust tip was hot after 25 mins (rear engine).
The whole issue is a compromise as some components love use and others will suffer with cold starts or no load warming. At 5 weeks i'm seeking a balance as that's just 2 starts all winter. Garage is snowed in for winter, so this car's going nowhere!
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