Of course it's better to drive it--for you and the car. If you take it out, you should gently let it warm up, and then drive it 'spiritedly' for at least half an hour. 40 min or an hour are better.
You will realize that these cars feel much better (i.e. tighter and responsive) in cold weather. Make sure oil level is up to snuff.

Thanx for the help. Further details: What is the longest that I should let a car sit without driving it? I noticed that when I started it after it sat for 2-3 weeks that I had white smoke for about a minute while it warmed up. Is this just condensation or is there another problem?

Wow....
 

I didn't think I would start such a long thread with this. I guess I will leave it alone until I can drive it, now I am a bit worried that I didn't really do anything to it before putting it in the garage. It never gets below freezing in there, so I don't think I have much to worry about. I did not put it on blocks, I hope my new tires don't get ruined. Maybe I should jack it and spin the tires by hand so they don't sit in the same spot?

I agree with the guys who say don't start it. I used to start it every few weeks and let it warm up but I found that helped oil find it's way out my oil return tubes and other areas. I replaced the return tubes and now it sits quietly until spring.

TN!?!? Man, drive that thing! I'm about 20 miles from the TN state line (in Alabama) and drive my 911 to work nearly every day.

Where in TN? I grew up in Kingsport...

Mike

No- do not start it, you just induce condensation into the oil which turns acidic. You won't get the engine up to a good temp anyway for changing the oil (draining it out when hot). Also, at-idle is one of the hardest regions on the valve train, every turn of the cam runs the rocker/valve through the whole stroke (in other words never any rpm acceleration to help float the valve through its cycle). Change oil right before you put it away for the year, Stabil in the tank, bring the battery inside and let it be.

Tires?
 

But what about the tires, if its not javked, so it be lifted from time to time and the tires spun?

If the weather gets warm in the next few weeks, I'm taking it for a ride!

Frank,

Inflate the tires to 55 or so PSI. That should help with the flat-spotting. Don't forget to adjust the pressure to normal when you fire up in March.

Gee, I just try to keep my tank full and drive it 20-60 minutes a week when it is not raining. My car seems happier, as do I. Sometimes I have to wait a week or two for an ok day.

I keep the car up on jack stands to prevent flat spots. I actually bring the tires inside and store them in my finished basement, along with the targa top.

When I stored mine in Michigan I would never start it until late in the spring when I could take it out and run it a bit. I have heard many say it is not wise to let it partially warm up and then freeze back down. I would disconnect the battery and put on a trickle charger. Let the 911 sleep don't wake it up in the middle of winter. Also i used to pump up the tires to 45 psi while it was sitting so long and keep the doors poped open to keep the seals from stickng and the interior from getingdamp.I sure don't miss that having drove my C2 to work today...

THANKS!
 

You guys and this board rules! Everyone is so helpful...just another great reason to be a Porsche owner!

Exactly right! I increase the tire pressure and you can roll the car a few feet every so often if you are afraid of flat spots.

If you don't start it, how do you drive it anywhere?

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1075433613.jpg

Wimps. :D

Tom

For me: Unheated garage. Full tank with stabil, remove fuel pump relay, disconnect coil wire, turn the engine over until pressure shows every 2-3 weeks. Battery on trickle. Tires at 40-45 PSI rolling back & forth periodically. Inside: A 150 watt light bulb. In trunk: A 100 watt light bulb. Cover: Large comforter to retain heat. (NOT a tarp because of moisture retention) The bulbs are on a special stand to prevent fire. Wait for warm spring day. 8 more weeks?

Er...Gunter... what's with the light bulbs. I presume you have them "on":D ? Is it to keep the inside just a slight bit warm, or to avoid mildew?

Popology und lochkunde...must be a gyneacologist then (or am I totally perverted? - could be...)

Hi Paul: Yes, the bulbs are "on" to keep the moisture out, especially the trunk because I leave the fuse box cover open and direct the bulb close to the fuses to prevent oxidation/corrosion. I double up with comforters over the top and trunk and find that it stays a very nice 10 deg Celsius inside. I mention Celsius because USA, eccept for military, is still stumbling along with Fahrenheit. Is the UK and Australia on Celsius now? Anyway, you are right about my honorary doctorates. I remember Spa Francorchamps quite well when Porsche had their 1.3 liters running there. Cheers.

The bulbs are not working for me. Any other advice that may help?

http://lib.nmsu.edu/~clandt/914parts/frozen911.jpg

Sorry, Could not help myself...

Frankie,

I'm in Huntington and work in Glen Cove.

I drive mine every day, regardless of temperature.

The only days off it gets is if it snows.

Not worried about the salt or sand either.

Scott

Started it and DROVE it!!!!!!!
 

Well, it hit the mid 40's today and I started it up and took it for a ride. Started immediately, idle was fine, checked oil and drove it for about 45 minutes. When I brought it home it was fine, but started it an hour later to put in in the garage and I noticed the idle is very low and hunting. Usually mine idles smoothly between 750 - 1000rpm, but it was struggling around 500. Slowly started to get better after it ran a few minutes. Could this be from sitting for 3 months?