So I was reading the owners manual to my 1997 Mustang (first time ever) and I came accross a chapter entitled "Storing Your Vehicle". Perfect timing I thought. Lots of good advice, BUT, one section in the chapter (page 269) said "Start engine every 15 days. Run at fast idle until it reaches normal operating temperature."

I have never done this before. I NEVER start the car periodically while its in winter storage. Am I wrong on this? Should I follow Fords recommendation?

 

Well..

I think they are assuming you'll leave the battery in..I don't...but then again by doing what they suggest keeps the engine oiled as well..so....

 

There is always a great debate on this topic.Who knows what is the right way....to start it every so often,or not to start it. I don't.

 

I don't store a vehicle, but a buddy of mine says the important part of starting and running the car in storage over the winter is letting it get to the "normal operating temperature" part. You're wasting your time if you just start it, run it for a bit and then shut it down - getting it up to temp is key. Or so I've heard - if it was in the owner's manual and the owners manual is what the warranty (when you have it) is based on, I don't think you'd be wrong to do it.

 

I used to start mine weekly/bi-weekly years ago but it would seem as though more people than not do not start theirs so now I do not as well (partially due to laziness). Like 1Low stated it's a toss up so knock yourself out-not literally of coarse tehehehe

 

I have friends who have stored theirs for many more years than I have, and they do not start them. I have not started mine in 6 winters of storage with no problems at all.

The problem with starting them, even if you run them to operating temperature, which is hard to do with the car not moving under load is you build up condensation in the exhaust system that is never properly dissipated which sits there all winter. You also run the risk of condensation in your oil pan from warm oil on cool surfaces without giving a chance to dry out. NOPE, no running my engine all winter. Just a good highway run in the fall and tuck her away full of gas, fuel stabilizer, moth ***** and steel wool in the exhaust pipe. Battery fully charged either out or at least disconnected.

 

^^^great points of coarse but I wonder if this applies to a car in a garage at 72F like mine?

 

I still wouldn't start it. You're still going to get condensation within the exhaust system just do to the operating temps of an engine.

As for the original poster - The first time I winter stored mine I started it (and thought it was at operating temp) and wished I hadn't. I was getting water all over the place from my exhaust and I know all it did was freeze back up. In the spring I had a funny smell and didn't go away for a while. I think my cats were clogged a bit.

Just make sure to wash and wax it, change the oil, remove the battery and tuck her in with a nice car cover for the winter

 

Does anybody else leave a trickle charger on their battery for the winter? I just left the leads on the battery and set the trickle charger to float mode - only charges when the battery needs it.

I've never pulled the battery. Last battery lasted 13 years so I think I've got an ok system at least.

Thoughts? Lets discuss.

 

I use one,but i don't leave it plugged.I usually will put it on mid winter for the hours required,then maybe again when spring nears.Worked so far as i am still using the stock battery that came with my GT.