Fluids question. How often should you start during the winter months?

[TAXIMAN1]

My procedure during the winter months is:

Sta-Bil and Battery Tender.

My questions is this: Is it better to start the car every couple of weeks or so. Or just let it sit for a few months? Until you can actually get it on the road, and up to operating temperature? I realize there is wear that occurs during start-up, especially in a car that has sit for a while.. So.... what is the best way to handle this, during the down months?

I know a local dealer who specializes in very low mileage vettes. He told me 3-4 months is not a big deal to let a car sit without being started(assuming a bettery tender is on), and further claimed, starting it every week may do more harm than good.(unless you can bring it all the way up to temp.)
Not saying he is right.. Asking for opinions from others.....

 

[RayC]

I have always started my vipers every 3-4 weeks during the storage months in Michigan. When I do so I let them idle for at least 30 min. I also only do this on a day that I can pull them out of the garage so I can turn the diff. and tires. I change oil before storage and shortly after they come out for the spring. I don't know if this a good or bad storage technique, but I have never had any problems.

------------------------------------------------------------
1997 B/W GTS
2004 SRT 10 White Mamba
2006 SRT 10 VCA Coupe

 

[Copernicus]

Question is discussed here:

http://www4.forum.viperclub.org/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=793750&an=0&page=0#Post793750

 

[IEATVETS]

0 times, let her sit. Once my cars are put away for the winter I am done with them until spring. No stabil or battery tender for me either. Gas shouldn't go bad in 4 months and have never used a battery tender either. Starts right up every spring.

 

[TAXIMAN1]

0 times, let her sit. Once my cars are put away for the winter I am done with them until spring. No stabil or battery tender for me either. Gas shouldn't go bad in 4 months and have never used a battery tender either. Starts right up every spring.

yeah, thats my thought as well. If it were more than 6 months, I would be more concerned. I do use Sta-Bil though.. piece of mind at least..

 

[FE 065]

Merci beaucoup Taximan. Reading your post, I was jolted out of my mid-winter funk and realized these mild temps called for a start up!

Such a symphony (!) to hear that cold start idle's no cat/no resonators cackling again..it's been too long.



I think I can survive until June now.