Having the engine idle
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Joined: Oct 2004
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I don't think a little surface rust inside the cylinders, if in fact it does happen, makes any difference. You don't see brake rotors rusting unless they are put away wet, and even then the surface rust is gone with a few brushes of the brake pads. They are far more exposed to the elements than a relatively sealed engine.
I don't know what "subtle degradation" you might be referring to here for a car that sits for a few months. Sure, an engine that sits for several years may well need some attention before trying to restart, but even those are routinely brought back to life with a little internal lubrication before trying to start them.
I don't know what "subtle degradation" you might be referring to here for a car that sits for a few months. Sure, an engine that sits for several years may well need some attention before trying to restart, but even those are routinely brought back to life with a little internal lubrication before trying to start them.
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Joined: Apr 2013
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From: Chirper Island
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
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^
That's also true.
My question was what "preventative maintenance" benefit do folks think they gain by doing so? It seems some actually think it's a good thing to do that.
I get it that a kid or perhaps even you are bored and might want to hear the engine, back up and down your driveway a few times because you're going stir-crazy, and that's a good reason to do it. But, if you're doing it because you think it's helping the engine, I don't get that.
That's also true.
My question was what "preventative maintenance" benefit do folks think they gain by doing so? It seems some actually think it's a good thing to do that.
I get it that a kid or perhaps even you are bored and might want to hear the engine, back up and down your driveway a few times because you're going stir-crazy, and that's a good reason to do it. But, if you're doing it because you think it's helping the engine, I don't get that.
Last edited by Foosh; Apr 15, 2018 at 11:50 PM.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 436
Likes: 204
From: Wentzville MO & Port Charlotte, FL
I start my cars up over winter. It's to move them because I don't put anything under the tires, I let them warm up to normal temps and shut them down. Usually I'm out getting the mail, pulling the trash/recycle cans, walking around the house to make sure nothing is messed up etc. while it's all going on. Lubrication, bearings, etc, etc, all this stuff is so advanced that everything is more than well coated. I've stated in another thread, I've never heard of anyone say their engine crapped out on them because they started it up over winter a few times, or that their engine crapped out on them because they didn't start it up over winter. It's such an insignificant thing as to whether which ways is good/bad, better/worse that it wont matter either way. As someone else said you may get 200,000 miles instead of 202,000 miles.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 25,583
Likes: 16,942
I start my cars up over winter. It's to move them because I don't put anything under the tires, I let them warm up to normal temps and shut them down. Usually I'm out getting the mail, pulling the trash/recycle cans, walking around the house to make sure nothing is messed up etc. while it's all going on. Lubrication, bearings, etc, etc, all this stuff is so advanced that everything is more than well coated. I've stated in another thread, I've never heard of anyone say their engine crapped out on them because they started it up over winter a few times, or that their engine crapped out on them because they didn't start it up over winter. It's such an insignificant thing as to whether which ways is good/bad, better/worse that it wont matter either way. As someone else said you may get 200,000 miles instead of 202,000 miles.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 436
Likes: 204
From: Wentzville MO & Port Charlotte, FL
I don't care, I'm still doing it. Do it on all my cars that sit over winter regardless of what the tires are, regardless of what people say is good/bad for the engine. When I have or hear of issues from doing it then I'll stop but I'm pretty sure that I'll never have/hear of any issues. And my C7 I don't do it because mine is a daily driver and get's driven over winter except when ice/snow is on the ground then I take my truck.
Last edited by blb078; Apr 16, 2018 at 12:33 AM.
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Racer
Joined: Nov 2017
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From: Wentzville MO & Port Charlotte, FL
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From: Best Island in the U.S.
St. Jude Donor '12 thru '17
I don't care, I'm still doing it. Do it on all my cars that sit over winter regardless of what the tires are, regardless of what people say is good/bad for the engine. When I have or hear of issues from doing it then I'll stop but I'm pretty sure that I'll never have/hear of any issues. And my C7 I don't do it because mine is a daily driver and get's driven over winter except when ice/snow is on the ground then I take my truck.
I live in western Colorado and my C7 is also driven year round unless there is snow or ice on the roads. I feel a bit sorry for those who let them sit for months and depreciate while they’re not enjoying them. 