de-winterize checklist and questions...

[Oracle]

Hi,
Does any one have any suggestions on how to wakeup the car after the winter sleep ?

This is a summary of what I've read (not in any particular order):
1.- Don't forget to change the insurance to full liability+comprenhensive+collision - In case you switch it to fire & theft only during the winter storage to save a lot $$$$
2.- Remove the fuel pump relay and let the motor crank until the light goes off
3.- Check tire pressure and readjust
4.- Change the oil and filter
5.- Let it idle for 2 minutes then drive the car, easy at first so it builds up some heat.
6.- Recharge battery and reinstall

Questions:
1.- Can I drive the car with 6 month old fuel and stabil or should I drain it ? (I hope not cause gas is expensive and the mower won't use that much)
Oil change has to be done before the car starts or within the first 100 Km ?
2.- Should I take the spark plugs out and spray some SW40 (or whatever is called) in the cylinders holes ?
Should I manually turn the motor a complete cycle ?

3.- If you live in Southern Alberta: will you drive the car this weekend? The weather couldn't be any better..


Thanks
-J

[Purrybonker]

I've been cheating just about all winter long (don't tell my wife) - what with the relatively mild/snowless winter we've enjoyed here in Calgary. A cruise to Banff on hwy 1A feels pretty good in January.

I think the longest stretch I went between drives was about four weeks. So just about every time I got thinking about throwing in fuel stabilizer or rolling the car a bit to avoid flat-spotting the tires, I ended up going for a cruise instead. Driving to avoid road gravel is more of a challenge than avoiding snow these days it seems.

This is my new resolve - drive the car as much as reasonably possible during the winter short of having an extra set of wheels with snow tires. Pump the tires to maximum as indicated on the sidewall (51 PSI on my s-03's) between drives and throw a trickle charger on the battery. I bought one of those little "batteryminders" for 15 bucks on eBay - they're great! If the car must sit for more than a couple of weeks - I move the car enough to put a 90 degree rotation on the tires.

[Zero10]

Hmm.
First, remove the wire from the distributor, not the fuel pump fuse. If you do that, it may still start for a short time.
Don't spray wd-40 in the cylinders. If you want to, you can pour a little oil into them, but it will smoke badly for about 5 minutes.

Remember to charge and install the battery before you drive it (in other order in your list).

Don't worry about the gas. If it starts, just drive it 'till it's empty. That's why you added the stabilizer.

Although, it's really not necessary. I just woke my subaru up from a 7 month slumber (in a back yard, nobody would buy it, and my 944 needed work), and I never stabilized the fuel, had no problems at all.

About the oil change... how old is the oil?
You SHOULD be safe starting it, and driving it somewhere before changing the oil. That's what I would do.

Definately take it easy at first. Remember, it's not just the engine you are waking up, it's the transmission, brakes, suspension, etc.

Is it sitting outside? (please tell me it's not), but if so, check the rotors to see how rusted they are. You may want to have them turned, and give the brake pads a clean before you drive it. It's common for the pads to corrode to the rotors. If they aren't bad, it's probably not necessary.

Don't worry about turning the engine over by hand, just crank it with no spark, same end effect. Crank it in short bursts... 15 seconds of cranking, 30 seconds of off, that way the starter motor doesn't overheat. I don't know if your car is carbuerated, if so, then forget my advice about the coil wire, just pull the fuel pump relay.
After the oil pressure light goes off (and whatever lights may come on) then put the fuse/relay back in, and fire 'er up.

Oh, one last piece of advice. Don't forget to tell the car how much you have missed it, and how you'll never park it again. It will feel better that way.

[Oracle]

Originally posted by Zero10
Oh, one last piece of advice. Don't forget to tell the car how much you have missed it, and how you'll never park it again. It will feel better that way.

Ha, ha!!
That's it! Now I know why it's running rough. I forgot the love words... Now I'll have to talk sweet to Marc B. cause the car will be there in Wednesday... Darn I'll have to pay the consequences...

BTW check you have all the tools before you begin working on the car....

-J