Completely misjudged. Now what to do?

[fullthrottle52]

I'm sure I'm not alone with this one. Living in the central part of the country, we have had a much harder winter than the last 10 years. I have never "winterized" my boxster, other than keeping it on a charger. In the past winters we get a few nice days, 40 to 60 degrees, that we can get the car out and go for a cruise or even take a daily trip. Well that changed this year!

It has been snowy and COLD for weeks and it looks like there is no end in sight for at least another few weeks. The car has not been out for a month and may not for another month. I refuse to take it out with slush and salt everywhere.

Is there anything I should do at this point or just leave it alone. Should I put gas preservative, more air in tires, start it and let it warm up. It only has a half a tank of gas.

Any suggestions.

[BoxsterSteve]

At this point, I'd probably just top up the tank with fuel and some fuel stabilizer and pump up the tires a bit.
I don't start mine all winter, it just rests up for the upcoming driving season.

[BYprodriver]

2-3 months is no big deal. Just wait til you can drive it enough to get it fully warmed up to operating temp. Visual check on tire psi is ok, when you start engine verify psi while car is running & add air as needed.

[fullthrottle52]

Thanks guys. I will try to get it out to fill tank soon. I'll park it and wait for a decent day to give it a workout.

[husker boxster]

Originally Posted by fullthrottle52

start it and let it warm up.

DO NOT DO THIS. You'll not get it hot enough to warm up the exhaust and the moisture that is generated when you first start will sit in your exhaust and not evaporate.

As Byprodriver said, 2-3 mo is not enough time to be an issue. Hang in there, it's almost March.

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by husker boxster

DO NOT DO THIS. You'll not get it hot enough to warm up the exhaust and the moisture that is generated when you first start will sit in your exhaust and not evaporate.

As Byprodriver said, 2-3 mo is not enough time to be an issue. Hang in there, it's almost March.

Worse yet, partially warming the car up will help to trap moisture in the oil, forming acids and attacking the metal surfaces while further degrading the oil.

If you cannot warm the car up and drive it at highway speeds for at least 20 min., don't bother to start it at all..............

[fullthrottle52]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

Worse yet, partially warming the car up will help to trap moisture in the oil, forming acids and attacking the metal surfaces while further degrading the oil.

If you cannot warm the car up and drive it at highway speeds for at least 20 min., don't bother to start it at all..............

Thanks JFP. I'll just let it set. Hopefully this brutal winter will calm down within a couple of weeks and I can take it for a long run.

[AP328]

I am sure it is just a matter of using a different word to describe the same thing, but you want a battery tender not a battery charger. The former is computer controlled and keeps the battery in optimum condition. I leave my cars on battery tenders for about 5 months. A full tank with fuel stabilizer is good, as mentioned. As far as tires, I used to inflate them to the level Porsche says and then every two weeks or so push the car (not on the paint work) so that the tires are not resting on the same spot. I have since purchased Tire Cradles for every car we store, don't have to inflate or move the cars and no flat spots after years of using them.

[Timco]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

Worse yet, partially warming the car up will help to trap moisture in the oil, forming acids and attacking the metal surfaces while further degrading the oil.

If you cannot warm the car up and drive it at highway speeds for at least 20 min., don't bother to start it at all..............

Thanks for posting this. Now I know!

[Jamesp]

If you feel like you have to do something for penance, roll the engine over to top dead center to unload the valve springs.

[woodsman]

...and stuff rags in your pipes to keep condensation OUT.

[fullthrottle52]

Originally Posted by AP328

I am sure it is just a matter of using a different word to describe the same thing, but you want a battery tender not a battery charger. The former is computer controlled and keeps the battery in optimum condition. I leave my cars on battery tenders for about 5 months. A full tank with fuel stabilizer is good, as mentioned. As far as tires, I used to inflate them to the level Porsche says and then every two weeks or so push the car (not on the paint work) so that the tires are not resting on the same spot. I have since purchased Tire Cradles for every car we store, don't have to inflate or move the cars and no flat spots after years of using them.

It is on a tender, not a charger. Thanks for the comments.

[opus69]

I feel so bad for all of you guys having to park the Boxster for weeks or months. It is such a thrill driving her everyday. As my daily driver here in Florida I could see having Seasonal Affective Disorder having a different cause. Boxster deprivation.

[Timco]

Originally Posted by opus69

I feel so bad for all of you guys having to park the Boxster for weeks or months. It is such a thrill driving her everyday. As my daily driver here in Florida I could see having Seasonal Affective Disorder having a different cause. Boxster deprivation.

I wrote to a local weatherman and told him because of his stupid wrong forecast, I missed like 2 days of driving time.

(Knew him for years)

[woodsman]

Originally Posted by opus69

I feel so bad for all of you guys having to park the Boxster for weeks or months. It is such a thrill driving her everyday. As my daily driver here in Florida I could see having Seasonal Affective Disorder having a different cause. Boxster deprivation.

...absence makes the heart grow fonder...