Here's my situation. I'm buying an 04' F-150 now to get the tax benefits from the new accelerated depreciation rules, but will be storing the vehicle until my summer business kicks in and I sell my other truck.

I'm wondering if I should just let it sit in the garage (Minnesota) or if I should occasionaly run the engine and let it warm up when the real cold temps hit or not?

I won't be paying Insurance for this vehicle until my spring business picks up and I already have a 97' F-250 to drive, so I won't be able to drive the truck to warm it up or to break-in.

Can you guys tell me how you would handl this situation.

Thanks

 

I would definitely start it and let it run for at least 5 minutes a week. I dont' know about up there, but with how humid Florida is, when your truck cools, the muffler "draws" in humidity and wetness. When that air-moisture cools, it turns back into water, and you have water sitting in your muffler. Granted a muffler isn't a big problem, but it was funny when we sold my Grandmother's 2000 Nissan Maxima with 4,000 miles on it, no blemishes what-so-ever, but a rusted hole in the muffler because she never drove more than 2 miles at a time, so it never "heated up" enough to get that vapor out of there.

I would try to wait to buy it, but if the deals are really that good, definitely run it a minimum of 5-10 minutes a week, more if you can. Then again, I would also say actually drive it not just let it sit there, but I'm no in whatever your situation is.

 

I would never start the stored truck when it was very cold. Most of the engine wear occurs on extreme cold start ups. If it got up to 50 degrees I would start and let run for 15 minutes. If it was me, I would fill the gas tank, add Stabil to the gas, run for 15 minutes, park, and start it when I was ready to use it.

 

Do what he said, put in the fuel stabilizer and let it sit until spring, but also, don't forget to disconnect the battery and charge the battery on occasion. Also, it wouldn't hurt to cover up the truck to keep the dust off it!

 

The above suggestions are good. I put my truck up on jackstands with the springs loaded to prevent the tires from getting flat spots. If you leave the gas in for many months then double the dose of Stabil. I remove my battery as well; if it loses charge it can freeze and leak acid underneath the hood on the paint, etc. I stored my F-150 for a full year and after battery install, it fired right up.

 

Jmorri, spring is just around the corner. I would drive it for an hour the first day, fill the tank with gas, park it and forget about it. If you start it now and then, you need to drive it until it reaches full operating temp. That's a good 15 minute drive in winter, and you have to drive it, not idle it. If you don't want to dive it then you don't have to.

The worst thing you can do is start the engine and not get it fully warmed up, then park it for a long time. Water and and unburned fuel will get into your oil and stay there until you warm it up enough to evaporate it off. Acids will work with the water to become corrosive. Also, since water is a by-product of burning fuel you will have water sitting in your exaust if you don't get it heated up.

On the other hand, if it were my truck, I would take it out for a spin once a month on the warmest day. You are likely insured in any vehicle you drive, and your vehicles are insurred for any person who drives them.

You can break it in any time. The first hour is the most critical, so you can drive it around for the first day and then park it until spring. Stop and Go driving is best for break-in. Lots of firm acceleration on a warm engine will seat the rings best.