Leaving car out in cold for extended time (advice requested) - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

ironchef82 · 11-10-2003, 05:35 AM

Hello,

I have a 02 Volvo S40 with 14K miles on it. I'm making my travel plans to go home for winter vacation soon and I would like to know what to do about my car. I go to school in Ithaca (upstate New York) and home is Atlanta, so I'm flyin.

Basically, I have two options. I can leave my car here at my apartment and fly out here or I can drive to NYC and leave it with a friend and fly out there. It will be pretty darn cold, but if it's in NYC, my friend would drive it around occasionally. If I leave it here, it's essentially leaving the car exposed outside for a month in the harsh Ithaca winter.

So my question is how risky is it to leave my car here for a month exposed to cold temperatures and probably covered in snow? Is this a good idea and will it affect my car if idle for such a long time in the cold? Friends here have said that if I left it here, to see if someone could come by to start it up every once in a while... not really sure if I can arrange that though.

The motivation behind my question is that if I fly out of NYC, I'll have to pay $100 more to change the plane ticket plus it'll be 4 hours driving each way. Common sense tells me not to leave my car out here exposed for this long, but I just wanted to ask for everyone's opinion.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated and thanks in advance for replying.

Cynthetiq · 11-10-2003, 06:23 AM

First, most car manufacturers test their vehicles in extreme temperatures from the cold of Scandanavia to the heat to Death Valley/Arizona. That said, take note of where your Volvo is from, Scandanavia.

You just need to make sure that you winterize meaning change the fluids for winter, making sure that you have winterized wiper fluid, different oil, different coolant, and such. Take it to any good dealer or mechanic and let them know that you need it winterized.

soccerchamp76 · 11-10-2003, 07:08 AM

Find out what temperature your coolant is rated at.
Change your oil.
Find out what temperature your wiper fluid is rated at.

Sion · 11-10-2003, 08:29 AM

eliminate the problem entirely. drive it home. or see if the airport you are flying out of has a service whereby they take care of your car while you are gone. some will start the vehicle daily for you and keep the snow and ice cleaned off. dunno about the cost for that though.

other than that, I'd take it to your friend in NYC. not only will it get driven semi-regularly, but also it should (assuming you trust his/her judgement) be safe from getting stolen.

if you decide to leave it at school, take out the battery and put it in your apartment while you are gone. this serves two functions. first, when you return, it will not be ice-cold and therefore resistant to starting the vehicle. second, it makes the car MUCH harder to steal (unless they use a tow truck, that is).

another good suggestion is to put some dry-gas treatment in your tank a couple days before you leave, being sure to drive the car some to allow it to get all the way through your fuel system. this will help prevent fuel line freeze-up.

Averett · 11-10-2003, 09:39 AM

Do you have a friend who could at least start it up once a week or so?

It really should be fine though...

Scorps · 11-10-2003, 09:47 AM

I got a 1982 Chevy van that is an Ontario van its whole life......if anything a Canadian Winter would kill a car faster...It will be fine.

shakran · 11-10-2003, 01:24 PM

I'd be tempted to drive it to NYC and have your buddy drive it once a week. Cars that sit for a long time w/o being driven develop problems. I've seen brake calipers stick, tires go bad, doors freeze shut, batteries drain. . you name it. I'm in north Minnesota so my weather is fairly similar to yours.

dimbulb · 11-10-2003, 02:06 PM

Cool. I'm in school in Ithaca as well. I've left my car here in the cold and snow for about 2-3 winters.

My car is about 7 years old now, and it has never failed to start after winter.

Some things to take note of:
1) Alarms. If your car has an alarm, it will most probably have a flat battery.
2) If your battery has ever gone flat before, it'll probably go flat after winter.
3) DO NOT leave your parking brake on. After a summer or winter of just sitting there, there's a good chance the brakes will rust and stick.
4) Fill your gas tank up before you leave. Water might condense inside your tank if you don't.
5) Take out the main fuse or the battery if you don't feel safe. I find that the fuse is easier than the battery, though i usually don't do either.

WarWagon · 11-10-2003, 02:25 PM

I'd definitely pull the batt, fill with gas, put the car up on blocks and keep the wheels/tires indoors, and make sure you have all fresh fluids. Also, cover it with a car cover. Bringing the wheels/tires inside will keep them away from light, and can keep them from going out of round. I've stored cars outdoors for just as long if not longer in CT, and even my cars with high compression carb'd motors would start no problem with fresh gas, and no problems with brakes and such either.

merkerguitars · 11-10-2003, 03:29 PM

When I have went on vacation and had the fear of my car being messed up I just had my friend come over and start it up every week and drive it a few miles and back....

wakelagger · 11-10-2003, 03:34 PM

Quote:

if you decide to leave it at school, take out the battery and put it in your apartment while you are gone. this serves two functions. first, when you return, it will not be ice-cold and therefore resistant to starting the vehicle. second, it makes the car MUCH harder to steal (unless they use a tow truck, that is).

Yeah, and also, taking out the battery will prevent parasitic drain from occuring on the battery. Even the dash clock can and will eventually drain a battery over a few weeks without the alternator topping up the battery charge by letting the car run.

empu · 11-10-2003, 11:02 PM

Just leave it running.

Sion · 11-11-2003, 07:05 AM

"Bringing the wheels/tires inside will keep them away from light, and can keep them from going out of round."

????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

Scorps · 11-11-2003, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by empu
Just leave it running.

ROFL

ironchef82 · 11-11-2003, 04:46 PM

Hey everyone,

Thank you for all of your opinions and advice. It seems to be roughly 50/50, but I'm just going to err on the side of caution and leave my car with my friend in NYC. I'll probably have more peace of mind that way as well.

To everyone that replied, thanks again!

11-10-2003, 05:35 AM	#1 (permalink)
ironchef82 Banned Location: Tucson	Leaving car out in cold for extended time (advice requested) Hello, I have a 02 Volvo S40 with 14K miles on it. I'm making my travel plans to go home for winter vacation soon and I would like to know what to do about my car. I go to school in Ithaca (upstate New York) and home is Atlanta, so I'm flyin. Basically, I have two options. I can leave my car here at my apartment and fly out here or I can drive to NYC and leave it with a friend and fly out there. It will be pretty darn cold, but if it's in NYC, my friend would drive it around occasionally. If I leave it here, it's essentially leaving the car exposed outside for a month in the harsh Ithaca winter. So my question is how risky is it to leave my car here for a month exposed to cold temperatures and probably covered in snow? Is this a good idea and will it affect my car if idle for such a long time in the cold? Friends here have said that if I left it here, to see if someone could come by to start it up every once in a while... not really sure if I can arrange that though. The motivation behind my question is that if I fly out of NYC, I'll have to pay $100 more to change the plane ticket plus it'll be 4 hours driving each way. Common sense tells me not to leave my car out here exposed for this long, but I just wanted to ask for everyone's opinion. Any advice would be greatly appreciated and thanks in advance for replying.

11-10-2003, 06:23 AM	#2 (permalink)
Cynthetiq Tilted Cat Head Administrator Location: Manhattan, NY	First, most car manufacturers test their vehicles in extreme temperatures from the cold of Scandanavia to the heat to Death Valley/Arizona. That said, take note of where your Volvo is from, Scandanavia. You just need to make sure that you winterize meaning change the fluids for winter, making sure that you have winterized wiper fluid, different oil, different coolant, and such. Take it to any good dealer or mechanic and let them know that you need it winterized. __________________ I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not. What's the best nation in the world? DO-NATION!

11-10-2003, 07:08 AM	#3 (permalink)
soccerchamp76 Go Cardinals Location: St. Louis/Cincinnati	Find out what temperature your coolant is rated at. Change your oil. Find out what temperature your wiper fluid is rated at. __________________ Brian Griffin: Ah, if my memory serves me, this is the physics department. Chris Griffin: That would explain all the gravity.

11-10-2003, 08:29 AM	#4 (permalink)
Sion Dumb all over...a little ugly on the side Location: In the room where the giant fire puffer works, and the torture never stops.	eliminate the problem entirely. drive it home. or see if the airport you are flying out of has a service whereby they take care of your car while you are gone. some will start the vehicle daily for you and keep the snow and ice cleaned off. dunno about the cost for that though. other than that, I'd take it to your friend in NYC. not only will it get driven semi-regularly, but also it should (assuming you trust his/her judgement) be safe from getting stolen. if you decide to leave it at school, take out the battery and put it in your apartment while you are gone. this serves two functions. first, when you return, it will not be ice-cold and therefore resistant to starting the vehicle. second, it makes the car MUCH harder to steal (unless they use a tow truck, that is). another good suggestion is to put some dry-gas treatment in your tank a couple days before you leave, being sure to drive the car some to allow it to get all the way through your fuel system. this will help prevent fuel line freeze-up. __________________ He's the best, of course, of all the worst. Some wrong been done, he done it first. -fz I jus' want ta thank you...falettinme...be mice elf...agin...

11-10-2003, 09:39 AM	#5 (permalink)
Averett Is In Love Location: I'm workin' on it	Do you have a friend who could at least start it up once a week or so? It really should be fine though... __________________ Absence is to love what wind is to fire. It extinguishes the small, it enkindles the great.

11-10-2003, 09:47 AM	#6 (permalink)
Scorps Lost!! Location: Kingston, Ontario	I got a 1982 Chevy van that is an Ontario van its whole life......if anything a Canadian Winter would kill a car faster...It will be fine.

11-10-2003, 01:24 PM	#7 (permalink)
shakran Tone.	I'd be tempted to drive it to NYC and have your buddy drive it once a week. Cars that sit for a long time w/o being driven develop problems. I've seen brake calipers stick, tires go bad, doors freeze shut, batteries drain. . you name it. I'm in north Minnesota so my weather is fairly similar to yours.

11-10-2003, 02:06 PM	#8 (permalink)
dimbulb Riiiiight........	Cool. I'm in school in Ithaca as well. I've left my car here in the cold and snow for about 2-3 winters. My car is about 7 years old now, and it has never failed to start after winter. Some things to take note of: 1) Alarms. If your car has an alarm, it will most probably have a flat battery. 2) If your battery has ever gone flat before, it'll probably go flat after winter. 3) DO NOT leave your parking brake on. After a summer or winter of just sitting there, there's a good chance the brakes will rust and stick. 4) Fill your gas tank up before you leave. Water might condense inside your tank if you don't. 5) Take out the main fuse or the battery if you don't feel safe. I find that the fuse is easier than the battery, though i usually don't do either.

11-10-2003, 02:25 PM	#9 (permalink)
WarWagon Loser	I'd definitely pull the batt, fill with gas, put the car up on blocks and keep the wheels/tires indoors, and make sure you have all fresh fluids. Also, cover it with a car cover. Bringing the wheels/tires inside will keep them away from light, and can keep them from going out of round. I've stored cars outdoors for just as long if not longer in CT, and even my cars with high compression carb'd motors would start no problem with fresh gas, and no problems with brakes and such either.

11-10-2003, 03:29 PM	#10 (permalink)
merkerguitars Buffering......... Location: Wisconsin...	When I have went on vacation and had the fear of my car being messed up I just had my friend come over and start it up every week and drive it a few miles and back.... __________________ Donate now! Ask me How! Please use the search function it is your friend. Look at my mustang please feel free to comment! http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/showthread.php?t=26985

11-10-2003, 11:02 PM	#12 (permalink)
empu Crazy	Just leave it running.

11-11-2003, 07:05 AM	#13 (permalink)
Sion Dumb all over...a little ugly on the side Location: In the room where the giant fire puffer works, and the torture never stops.	"Bringing the wheels/tires inside will keep them away from light, and can keep them from going out of round." ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????? __________________ He's the best, of course, of all the worst. Some wrong been done, he done it first. -fz I jus' want ta thank you...falettinme...be mice elf...agin...

11-11-2003, 04:46 PM	#15 (permalink)
ironchef82 Banned Location: Tucson	Hey everyone, Thank you for all of your opinions and advice. It seems to be roughly 50/50, but I'm just going to err on the side of caution and leave my car with my friend in NYC. I'll probably have more peace of mind that way as well. To everyone that replied, thanks again!