Its in storage until april. I usually start it once a month. Now I read this off a local automotive forum.......... "DO NOT START THE CAR PERIODICALLY!! This will save your battery, but hurt your engine alot! Ive done alot of research on this point, and by starting a car once in awhile, it allows so much carbon buildup in your engine to occur. The only way you should ever start your car after a long period is when you plan on getting it to full operating temperature for about 20 minutes, and full operating temperature will never occur by just idling (no matter what the temp gauge says). If you take it for a thruway cruise fine, otherwise just let it sit. If the battery dies, jump it, no big deal." Thanks :hail:

Sounds like a bunch of sh*t to me. I dont understand his logic. Just start your car once/twice a month and it should be fine

some of it is true, if you're gonna start it, make suer you let it reach full operating temperature before you shut it off but otherwise it'll be ok.

Yeah, give it a few good revs too once it's warmed up, so carbon won't build up.

Thanks dudes :hail:

My practice is pretty much hand in hand with that article. I agree with not starting it. I can't see any reason to start your car while it's put away for winter storage. Whenever I put my car away, I put sta-bil in the gas tank, then top it off with fuel, make sure the tires are inflated to about 40 psi, remove the battery, put a moisture absorber in the interior, and of course have fresh oil and filter. My car sits for about 5 months or so and never gets started once put away, and she fires right up come spring.

i think it would also depend on where the car is stored. if the car is stored outside then i think driving the car maybe once or twice a month would be a good idea so that moisture can't sit on the car too long, preventing rust from forming prematurely. At least thats the way i was told, any thoughts on that?

Mine are stored in a heated garage (as always). On the at least one good day a month during the winter, I start them, back them out, and let them warm up until the thermostats are open. Then I play with the throttle to make sure they get warm enough for closed-loop mode, blip the throttle a few times, let them cool at idel, then tuck them away again.

I used to just let them sit for four-five months (with Sta-Bil) and after having to remove and clean injectors twice within five years, I have been starting them regularly ever since. So far, no problems with injectors, carbon, oil contamination, etc.

It might not make a big difference, and the battery is not a concern in a heated garage, but if you do start your stored vehicle, make sure you get it plenty warm before putting it back in the toybox.

plus, if you let the car sit all winter without starting it, don't you run the possibility of your valve seals drying out?

Very good point by both of you. If you allow a fuel injected car to sit too long with out starting it, you creat a chance that the injectors will dry up on you and will require you to remove them for a cleaning. I don't mean to be a jerk here, but....I don't care what anyone says really about not starting your car. Everyone I know here in my area that stores a car for the winter runs the car, we let it get good and hot rev the engine some and on a good day when the roads are cleared up, we'll we take them for a good little ride. Everyone that I know personally that leaves the car sit the whole time , always has trouble getting the car to start up agian, Just my .02.