Hi all, this is my first Winter for my Carrera S. Given that I'd like to keep the car off of salty roads, would it be better to buy a trickle charger or just start the car every few weeks and let it warm up in the garage or driveway?

Currently it already sits for up to 2 weeks at a time with no problem. I just didn't know if the engine would prefer to sit for a long time or get warmed up at idle.

Of course the option I'm hoping for would be salt-free roads where I can give the car proper exercise.

Many thanks for your thoughts!

 

Remember your summer tires are not meant for temperatures under 40 degrees or so!!

 

Many threads about winter storage, there's what's good for the engine and what the dealer wants you to do. I drive mine whenever it's over freezing outside as I have SO3s and they don't like frigid temp.

 

While I defer to those more knowledgeable on this topic, IMO it's not a good idea to start a cold engine and let idle. The car will not sufficiently warm up and engine will be stressed. I have a trickler, but I try to take the p-car out for at least 10-15 minutes in winter when there's not much salt/snow.

 

I'll drive it on every dry day we get and slide around on the PS2s.

 

I alsop live in NE ohio. I have driven porsches for 10 years in the winter, I put on a set of snow tires (michelin) and use the car unless there is a major storm (the Saab and SUV are then used) I do not worry about salt, realistically, the car will be sold before there is any salt damage (porsche has a 10 year warranty agaist this if I am correct)

My concern is not getting stuck, the car is great in the snow, I worry about being hit by a 5000lb "soccer mom SUV"

the car cost too much and it too much fun not to use!

 

You can bring it down south and I will personally see that it gets driven a couple times a week....

 

The Porsche trickle charger is great for this. Hooks into your cigarette lighter instead. I run the wiring through the sunroof. Warning: Operate the sunroof first and run the charger cable last. Never run the sunroof with the cable through the sunroof for obvious reasons.

During winter storage you should install the trickle charger and drive the P-car when ever possible. If you drive the P-car during the winter or any time for that matter ensure the oil is at the proper operating tempartures, if not, the oil could be harmful to your engine. You can tell if your oil temperture is not frequent at the proper operating temp by observing residual deposit on the filler oil cap.

 

MAL28 nailed it...just drive the damn car!

 

Thanks all for the the advice. "Just driving it" isn't really an option where I live. My service advisor at the dealership agreed that the battery maintainer was the way to go. Of course if that rare day of no ice/salt comes in mid-winter I'll be happy to warm it up properly.

 

Maybe I mis-read your post. Are you really going to put it away for the winter? Why would you do that? My car is not my DD and I don't usually take it out in crappy weather - especially snow/salty roads (no snow tires). However, I don't think your weather is any worse than mine and there are a LOT of beautiful winter days when there is no snow or salt on the roads.

 

I have no idea why anybody would put away a Porsche in the winter. They're not going to melt! The galvanizing and paint on the cars will stand up to years and years of road salt and wet conditions. It's just a waste. Porsche does extensive cold weather testing on these cars for a reason. They're meant to be driven in the snow.

So how do I make it through the winter? The same way I make it through the summer: By driving my car.

 

I said in my original post that I was hoping for some salt-free roads where I can give the car proper exercise. I'm pleased to hear that salt won't melt a Porsche and that others are enjoying their cars through the winter months.

I probably wasn't clear in my post. I was asking for advice between starting the car in the garage versus using a battery maintainer rather than taking a survey of driving habits on salty roads.

 

make sure you put lots of mouse/rat traps around. they love porsche wiring.

 

Winter in New Jersey.