RFI using car covers outside

[87WoodCab]

1st I'd like to thank all the great folks on these forums for all the great responses I've gotten to questions over the past 3-4 years. What an asset Pelican Forums is to us semi-skilled Porsche guys. Now to the point of my post.

I live in Northwest Arkansas where the winter temps can get quite cold ( teens fairly often). Getting married soon has caused what I am sure is a common problem for many of us: 3 car family with a two car garage. I had a carport installed this past weekend, and would like to keep my '06 Carrera S Cab in it throughout the winter since I don't drive it in winter conditions. Here's a list of questions I would really appreciate hearing learned opinions on:

1. weather proof vs. dust cover car covers ( the carport covers the car really good)
2. affects of cold outside climate on the car
3. how often should the car be exercised during the winter months, and for how long
4. idling vs. short drives
5. pre "storage" maintenance tips
6. anything else someone may have to offer other than let your wife park her car in the carport

Again, thanks in advance for sharing!!! Woody in Fayetteville, AR

[KNS]

1. weather proof will protect more (put on a clean car!). You're way ahead under the carport.
2. Battery may go flat if it sits for a while. Unavoidable if parked outside but rodents will use it for a home.
3. One a month if possible. Drive long enough to get the engine up to temperature and then for at least 20 more minutes. The longer the better. An occasional hour long drive on the highway is very good for any car.
4. Avoid doing either. If you must do a short drive on one day that's fine just try and do a longer drive soon after. Idling - Simply letting a car sit and idle is not very good for any car - hot weather or cold.
5. If you're going to store rather than drive occasionally, search in the 911 forum for storage tips.
6. Rodents, rodents, rodents. Do what you can to keep them out of your car. I have a car in a storage unit. I've spread non-scented glue traps all over the place. I found one dead mouse years ago but none since.

I had my first 911 before I got married and made it clear to my wife that the car was coming with me into the marriage. She was cool with that.

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by 87WoodCab

1st I'd like to thank all the great folks on these forums for all the great responses I've gotten to questions over the past 3-4 years. What an asset Pelican Forums is to us semi-skilled Porsche guys. Now to the point of my post.

I live in Northwest Arkansas where the winter temps can get quite cold ( teens fairly often). Getting married soon has caused what I am sure is a common problem for many of us: 3 car family with a two car garage. I had a carport installed this past weekend, and would like to keep my '06 Carrera S Cab in it throughout the winter since I don't drive it in winter conditions. Here's a list of questions I would really appreciate hearing learned opinions on:

1. weather proof vs. dust cover car covers ( the carport covers the car really good)
2. affects of cold outside climate on the car
3. how often should the car be exercised during the winter months, and for how long
4. idling vs. short drives
5. pre "storage" maintenance tips
6. anything else someone may have to offer other than let your wife park her car in the carport

Again, thanks in advance for sharing!!! Woody in Fayetteville, AR

Addressing 2, 3, and 4; starting and running the car without driving it for at least 20 min. at speed is terrible for the car. Don't do it, it is one of the worst things you can do to a car.

Item 5: Clean the car and wax it, air up the tires, fill the tank (after adding the correct dose of StaBil fuel stabilizer) and drive the car for at least 10 min. to circulate the stabilized fuel, change the oil and filter, connect the car to a quality battery maintainer, cover it up, and let it sit until the conditions for use return.

In the northeast, we have many customers that follow this regimen and store their cars, often a sub zero temperatures, from early Nov. until late March, and have done so for many years. And every spring they light off on the first turn of the key, ready for the summer.