Winter running?

[Pastry]

well the car has sat in the drive since saturday, got snowed and rained on. Its currently fairly dry but I can see theres a fair bit of salt on the roads, am tempted to go for a spin. Whats the consensus in these conditions?

a)go drive it
b)let it idle in the drive until it warms up
c)b then a
d) leave it alone until the weather improves
e) buy a cover and (d)

its forecast dry tomorrow and saturday but im interested to know other views for winter weather with no garage, is running the engine for a while during periods of non-use a good or bad idea?

 

[James_G]

I've been running mine for the last three days as the other car was still snowed in as of this morning. I am impressed with the traction available, probably due to that 50/50 weight distribution. Funnily enough there's a 944 Lux in the work car park too, but that's somebody's daily driver as I see it all the time.

Long term damage I am not sure, but I would have thought that running up an engine without going for a drive was probably not going to do a great deal, as all you're doing is warming the engine through, and not the whole car.

How about going for a drive, and then given it a wash each time to rinse the salt off?

 

[Elliot]

Okay

i would do the following

b followed by
a then go to a cover shop and
e then
a to home and then
d

Hope this helps

Elliot

 

[pauljmcnulty]

As everyone will be treating their sills, cleaning and checking the underseal, fuel lines and petrol-tank straps, and removing the liners to clean and treat the wheel arches once the salt is off the roads, I'd just get on and enjoy it! []

 

[georgethackray]

ORIGINAL: pauljmcnulty
I'd just get on and enjoy it! []

Me too - but I normally hose it down afterwards (both bodywork and underneath) if it is salty on the roads.

 

[zcacogp]

Well mine is a daily driver, and does around 45 miles a day. Rain, snow or shine.

Admittedly, it went nowhere on Tuesday 'cos when I came back after work on Monday I didn't so much park it as slither it into a snowdrift by the side of the road. Then, on Wednesday, everything had frozen around it so I spent a LOT of time trying to get it moving.

Starts no problems, no matter what the weather. Gearbox is a bit sulky until the oil has warmed up. Traction is great. Tail-out fun is great. Guys, these are cars not garage ornaments - get out there and drive the things!


Oli.

 

[Black_JPN]

Mine is tucked away in the garage and will be staying there until the weather is bit better. I agree with Oli though. They are for driving. I just can't bring myself to go out in it when I don't have to, especially as it's nice and clean at present. We have a RAV4 family wagon now and that needs a thorough testing during this inclement weather.

 

[Alpine]

Mine stays in the garage, but I am conscious that leaving it stood idle is probably doing it more harm than good.

I wouldn't just run the engine while leaving the car stood still. I don't think you will dry out all of the condensation that might still be in the exhaust etc. It need a good run to get the entire car warmed up.

 

[georgethackray]

I keep mine in the garage mst of the time - it's not our main car as such - but I do take it out for decent runs whenever the weather is good.

I took it for a good run on Saturday to our regional annual dinner - it ran noticeably better the next day.