Limited winter useage question?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,703
Likes: 1
From: Don't taze me 'Bro! VA
Limited winter useage question?
I don't want to put my car completely "away" for the winter since we get warm spells here in VA from time to time. But I won't be driving it much at all. I am going to be keeping it in my friends race car shop near my house. Is it better to just crank her up every couple weeks or put a trickle charger on the battery? What's the longest I dare go without starting the car?
I found out the other day what 300+ horsepower(+) cold tires(+) cold pavement gives you...........
Just about went for a wild ride! Now I know why you don't see many Vettes on the road in the winter.
Thanks in advance for any advice and Happy Holidays!!!!!!!!! May all your Vette wishes come true.
I found out the other day what 300+ horsepower(+) cold tires(+) cold pavement gives you...........
Just about went for a wild ride! Now I know why you don't see many Vettes on the road in the winter. Thanks in advance for any advice and Happy Holidays!!!!!!!!! May all your Vette wishes come true.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,737
Likes: 349
From: Layton Utah
I think if your going to leave it more than 6 ot 7 weeks, you may want to consider a battery tender. Sears has one for 30 dollars and there are others that would do a good job. Here in Utah when we have a few warm days, I take mine out and run it on the interstate until I can get the oil temp up close to 200 deg. That way I think I'm keeping the oil from getting condensation and the parts in the engine are better off. Also the tires get a little workout. Plus it gives you spring fever.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 625
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From: Fairfax, VA and Springfield, IL
St. Jude Donor '06
I do the same exact thing living in central Illinois. I found my battery dead after about 3 weeks awhile back and had to use a trickle charger to get it back up to full power.
Now, I have a battery tender or "float" charger. They are a very simple device with little jumper cable ends that you hook up to the battery while it is still connected to the car. The other end gets plugged into a wall outlet. There is some sort of device in the middle that converts the power usage (I'm not an electrical person so I don't know what it is or how it works but it does!). I bought mine new off of ebay for like 15 bucks. It was like half of what local stores charge for the same thing. Now when I want to drive the Vette, I just unhook it from my battery, close the hood and go. When I am done for the day, I hook it back up. Real simple. Good luck.
Now, I have a battery tender or "float" charger. They are a very simple device with little jumper cable ends that you hook up to the battery while it is still connected to the car. The other end gets plugged into a wall outlet. There is some sort of device in the middle that converts the power usage (I'm not an electrical person so I don't know what it is or how it works but it does!). I bought mine new off of ebay for like 15 bucks. It was like half of what local stores charge for the same thing. Now when I want to drive the Vette, I just unhook it from my battery, close the hood and go. When I am done for the day, I hook it back up. Real simple. Good luck.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
It is worse to start it and let it run for a few minutes than it would be to disconnect the battery and leave it alone. If you get a run of warm weather, take her out for a few hours! The tires will not grip like they do in summer, sooo take it easy.
I would charge the battery every 3-4 weeks!
Bill
I would charge the battery every 3-4 weeks!
Bill
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Team Owner
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From: Queens, New York Life begins at 183 mph....
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Originally Posted by INTRUBL
I try to get mine out once evey two weeks, if I can get it to the highways the conditions are not that bad.
Me too. So far, there's been no need to put her into full hibernation but here in NYC, if we get a snow storm, its usually followed by rain within a week or two. January is usually the worst where we might get a storm back to back for a couple of weeks. I can't wait till the spring!!!
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 850
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Your best bet is if you can put the car on the highway for about 30 minutes of driving each week.
After 3-4 weeks, the battery may not start the car. If it sits longer, use a battery maintainer, as mentioned above. I wouldn't just start the car, and let it idle. If you crank it, drive it. Idling is tough on an engine, and you aren't helping any of the other moving parts with the car sitting there running.
After 3-4 weeks, the battery may not start the car. If it sits longer, use a battery maintainer, as mentioned above. I wouldn't just start the car, and let it idle. If you crank it, drive it. Idling is tough on an engine, and you aren't helping any of the other moving parts with the car sitting there running.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 24,333
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From: VA
St. Jude Donor '03-'11
I live just north of you in MD, and i've found there are enough nice days that i generally drive the car at least once every 2 weeks in the winter at a minimum, so I haven't bothered with a battery tender...
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Schaumburg IL
CI 7-8-9-11 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
mine does not go into full hibernation either during the winter, well almost, I take it out at least once a month, start it and drive it for an hour on the expressway or open road.(as long as there is no salt)
I am planning on getting an Optima Red Top soon, but for now, I am experimenting with my Delco (gelmat) battery...right now it is not hooked up to anything, (tender or charger etc,) and I did the same thing last winter, I found as long as I started it and drove it 1 time a month it was fine. Even though it's in a non-heated garage, just keeping out of the wind and elements I think helps out a great deal
I am planning on getting an Optima Red Top soon, but for now, I am experimenting with my Delco (gelmat) battery...right now it is not hooked up to anything, (tender or charger etc,) and I did the same thing last winter, I found as long as I started it and drove it 1 time a month it was fine. Even though it's in a non-heated garage, just keeping out of the wind and elements I think helps out a great deal
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Get the battery tender and leave it hooked up. It will keep your battery at a full charge and ready for those days you can get the car out. I take mine out every now and then, if nothing else to get it up to temp and lubricate all the seals again.
Race Director
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From: Schaumburg IL
CI 7-8-9-11 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
Originally Posted by JDs00PewterCoupe
I take mine out every now and then, if nothing else to get it up to temp and lubricate all the seals again.
I have even been told to run the AC a little for the same reason.
