Do I start it?

[papashelby]

Looking for opinions on whether or not to start my car while in storage. Last year (my first winter with the car) I would start it and let it run for 15-20 minutes, mostly just to hear it run, LOL. I kept a battery tender on it as well. This year, I have not started the car. It's been parked for about 8 weeks already. I decided to not start it after reading (on the forums), that I would need to run the engine more often because the oil drains off critical areas fairly fast. I did fill the gas tank and added STA-BIL and the battery tender is connected. The car is in my unheated garage.
Thanks for the help,
Rick

[Birdman]

Don't think it's necessary to run it as long as the battery is maintained. I find that most battery tenders have to be 'cycled' that is turned off occasionally then reset by turning them on again or they won't keep a charge. I would also say you should check the electrolyte level in the battery. I have also found that it is common for the level to go very low after 3 or 4 years. (about a small Poland spring water bottle amount low):shades:

[Joe G]

IMO... unless you run it long enough so that it gets up to full temp, you're doing more bad than good b/c the oil then gets diluted with the moisture that isn't burned off.

[68fastback]

agree ...and if concerned about oil drain-down for initial start-up in the spring, maybe pull the fuel pump power lead off the pumps under the rear seat and then crank it for 15 seconds straight to get the oil pressure up, then re-attach pump power and fire it up ...should do the trick.

I have a Battery Minder on the Ranger over the winter since I don't use it that often (zero traction except in 4WD) and garage is unheated. Works well.

[mustang loco]

agree with what's been said,I'd leave it,never started mine all I do is disconnect the battery and when spring comes along just start her and leave running till it reaches ope. temps!!

[Tommy Gun]

IMO... unless you run it long enough so that it gets up to full temp, you're doing more bad than good b/c the oil then gets diluted with the moisture that isn't burned off.


:goodpost:

[papashelby]

Thanks guys. Appreciate the help.

[Joe G]

:goodpost::uwelcome:

[Tommy Gun]

:grin:

[HSURB]

I started mine yesterday. My daughters friend had never heard it before.

HSURB®

[Joe G]

I started mine yesterday. My daughters friend had never heard it before.

HSURB®You take it for a spirited drive up and down the driveway? :chirp:

[Shlbylvr]

You take it for a spirited drive up and down the driveway? :chirp:

At 5 miles an hour she was burning rubber..

[Joe G]

At 5 miles an hour she was burning rubber..I think that's about top speed for those slow RED cars. :look:

[Tommy Gun]

Top speed this > :gun:

[papashelby]

I think that's about top speed for those slow RED cars. :look:

:horsepoop:

[Joe G]

:rofl3: