This may prove to be a real mammary of a question, however, I am interested in knowing what the latest school of thought is when it comes to periodically starting a stored vehicle. Essentially, my boxster gets stored indoors for the duration of the winter. Up here in New England, the season can last upwards of six months. In the past, I would start my vehicle almost on a weekly basis and let it run for approximately a half hour. Is there any real benefit to doing this, other than OPEC and the garage mice loving it ? Some have suggested starting it only once a month. Whereas, others have recommended not starting it at all, and simply leaving the battery hooked up to a charger. Any thoughts out there ?

 

I used to leave the battery tender on all winter. I would only start and drive it when the weather is nice enough. Otherwise, I just let it sit. I suppose starting it once a week may not be bad idea (to keep oil coating the surfaces), but i also heard if you don't get the engine hot enough (by driving)... you risk building condensation in the block. There is probably some truth to it, but then again... may not be enough to significantly shorten the life of the engine to where you would notice the difference (1k miles vs. 20k miles).

 

battery tender, and still start it once a month, or start the car 2 to 4 times monthly....

 

my dad and I usually let the cars parked for the winter, remove the batteries and put them in the basement, where it's warm.

The batteries are put on a charger every month and that's enough.

We put the batteries back in the car in the spring and they start on first try

 

Let it sit....no reason to start it up unnecessarily.

 

NOT a good idea to start a stored car unless you can drive it to get it up to operating temps. Just let it sit with the battery tender connected. Simply starting the car will not let it get up to operating temperature and will only produce condensation in the exhaust, combustion chambers, etc......and condensation is not good. The only real way to get it up to operating temps is to drive it. I don't start or take mine out in the winter at all due to salt, crud on the roads, etc.
Like your car, my cars are stored for approximately 6 months out of the year. Here is what I do and have done for years without a single problem:
-change oil/filter before storing
- pump the tires up to around 50 psi, place some thick carpet squares under the tires (some people will put a car up on jack stands...no need if the tires are inflated to 50 psi and are resting on something soft or in tire cradles. If they get a little flat spotted, they will get round again after a few miles of driving in the Spring).
-pour a bottle of Stabil into a full gas tank
-connect the battery tender
-cover the (clean) car and forget about it until Spring

Been doing it this way for many years with no problems. In the Spring they start right up.

Hope that helps.

 

I would use a battery maintainer and in the spring, pull the fuel pump fuse and crank over the motor to get it oiled up. Replace the fuse and away you go.

 

I live in Ontario and it can get as cold as -30C here. My car is stored indoors, but I have it hooked up to the Porsche battery charger. I start the engine every 2 weeks and if there is no dampness or snow outside I drive it around the neighbourhood to get it warm and cycle the transmission. I've had NO problems or ticking in the valves when starting and this way the oil stays in the hydraulic valves as opposed to draining if it sat for longer periods. I would stay away from lifting the car on jack stands for 6 months ... I had a car (Audi) I did this to previously and when I drove it in the Spring the front tires wore out on the inner edge because the suspension had no load all winter. The ride height had not settled because it was unloaded for so long ... $500 later I had new tires

 

This is correct. If not brought up to operating temps then starting is not as good as letting it sit.

 

That would be a real drag. However, it points out that if one is going to use jack stands for storage (again, there's no need if the tires are pumped up to around 50 psi and placed on something soft or in tire cradles) the jack stands should be placed under the suspension so that the weight of the car is still resting on the suspension as intended. DO NOT let the car rest on jack stands for extended periods of time with the stands under the frame/unibody. The suspension is designed to hold the weight of the car. With jack stands under the suspension so that the weight of the car is on the A-arms, springs, etc., it's essentially the same as when the car is sitting on the ground - no harm done.

Cheers.

 

I have a battery tender on mine and drive it about once every month or so and bring it up to operating temperatures, so far, it starts every time I need it to. I plan to get a car cover for it.