keeping the motor running for short periods of time.

[JJ.]

My S4 is in storage for the winter, until the next season starts.
Due to lack of space and 2 other cars that share the storage unit. We have to move the cars from there spots from time to time to work on it.

So the car is running for maybe 5 minutes till it is shut off again. This happens maybe 3 or 4 times a month over a period of 6/7 months.

How bad is this for the car/engine. I can't take it for a spin every now and then because I've put the cars registration on hold, doing it would be illegal.

[mikeb17]

I do this with my car during the winter. I go across the state for school and leave it with my grandfather. He would start it once a week for five minutes to circulate oil and such. I come back when the weather is nice and swap out my cars. The only problem I've ever had was a rat building a nest under the intake manifold.

[JJ.]

So you actually start it on purpose, so I've got nothing to worry about?
I'm afraid that starting it without it getting the chance to properly warm up would be bad.

[MacDaddy]

That's the worst thing for oil, it's the warm up cool down and fuel contamination during cold start that break down oil. That's why lemans race cars can go balls to the wall redline for 24hours with the same oil.

[a4kamila6]

A 5 minute idle is fine. Some say its too long, but truth be told, if you arent idling the car everyday for extended periods of time, you will be okay. Plus its better to start her at least once a week. So you are fine


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[MacDaddy]

If you don't need to start it, don't, it provides no benefit to start it for shits and giggles. as I said you just end up contaminating the oil with fuel from the cars fuel-rich warm up cycle.

Besides, what's someone who doesn't own an s4 doing in the s4 section?

[a4kamila6]

You have a point about fuel contamination in the oil, but last time i checked, no one has ruined their motor or damaged it by just starting it in the winter for a few minutes. People change their oil you know.

and if you were speaking of me when you mentioned not having an s4, i own a b5 2.8 and a c5 2.7t 6 speed. I had no reason to buy an identical car because it has a different motor and tranny. Sure its not a s4, not as nibble or light, but has the same apb motor with the same 01e tranny from factory and with the same hp2's up front. Virtually identical parts.

you are right that starting and shutting the car off so quick without taking it on a spin isnt the best thing to do, but it wont hurt.

dont got to be rude. its not like your opinion is backed up by cold hard evidence anyway.




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[a4kamila6]

and to clarify it for you, i am in the s4 subforum because many topics apply to my c5. thats all


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[bigblue]

Watch out, those b5s4 guys think their cars are special. Youve entered their area lol. But on a serious note its not going to kill it and im sure you chanhe your oil here than there. I wouldnt worry too much about it man.

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[gmdiluca]

I store my car in the winter and have searched the topic. I got the sense that it's best to not start the vehicle. I never do, park it on blocks, fuel stabilizer with a full tank, battery tender, and car cover. Forget about it until spring. But if you have to move it to get at a another car then it's not the end of the world.


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[JJ.]

Thanks guys, I feel a little bit better about it now. I'll change the oil before going on the road again ofc.

[audacity]

both my wifes and my cars are stored pretty much all year, only put 600 and 300 miles on them last year. granted a lot of the time is warmer weather. but i start them and let them warm up to temp every other week. something i do with almost all things i own with an internal combustion. even my lawn mowers. i never have good luck with things being winterized always needs new gas or oil of spark plugs or something, so instead i let them run a bit ends up not costing me anything in the spring time. and as for the car i do it so i don't need to use a tender no need to run up an electric bill to keep a car you are not driving charged.

[MacDaddy]

I store my car in the winter and have searched the topic. I got the sense that it's best to not start the vehicle. I never do, park it on blocks, fuel stabilizer with a full tank, battery tender, and car cover. Forget about it until spring. But if you have to move it to get at a another car then it's not the end of the world.


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This is what I was getting at, couldn't have said it better myself. And yeah it is kind of annoying non s4 guys coming into the s4 forum, I browse the a4 sections but I don't tell some guy how to build his 1.8

[a4kamila6]

Im not telling someone how to build his 2.7. First and foremost, i dont need your permission to post here. Secondly, you must have trouble reading cause you clearly dont understand i have a vehicle that is basically an s4 in a c5 chassis. If i have information that can help someone, or if i need to ask a question, than i will. Regardless of whether its a c5 or not. There are many in depth threads started here that are relevant to my car.

And for the record its way more difficult to find a early year c5 with apb motor and 01e from factory than it is to find a manual s4.


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[aysix]

i like cats

[gmdiluca]

i like cats

Meow


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[redline380]

If you are really worried, have the oil tested during the winter. It would at least give facts to go off of instead of anecdotal evidence. The oil will also have some moisture in it. If you are going to run it, I would do it enough to heat the oil up a good amount.

I don't own an s4, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

[MacDaddy]

Im not telling someone how to build his 2.7. First and foremost, i dont need your permission to post here. Secondly, you must have trouble reading cause you clearly dont understand i have a vehicle that is basically an s4 in a c5 chassis. If i have information that can help someone, or if i need to ask a question, than i will. Regardless of whether its a c5 or not. There are many in depth threads started here that are relevant to my car.

And for the record its way more difficult to find a early year c5 with apb motor and 01e from factory than it is to find a manual s4.


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Your a know it all with a soccer mom station wagon who purposely said the exact opposite thing I did and now is retroactively defending their position and trying to play victim. Anyone worth their salt will see my join date and see yours and knows your another Audi newb who thinks they know everything because we've all seen it a million times before.

Have a nice day.

[bigblue]

Oh god join date arguements now.... In the end no one cares. Im gonna start posting shit about my 450whp gti in the s4 section.

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[Yesmar]

why dont you just push the cars out of the way. Starting an engine and not getting it up to full operating temperature is worse then not starting it at all.

[a4kamila6]

Your a know it all with a soccer mom station wagon who purposely said the exact opposite thing I did and now is retroactively defending their position and trying to play victim. Anyone worth their salt will see my join date and see yours and knows your another Audi newb who thinks they know everything because we've all seen it a million times before.

Have a nice day.

Lol whatever makes you sleep better at night. Cant lower myself to your level.


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[mikeb17]

Quit being so pretentious macdaddy, it's immature. I believe in starting it so the seals don't dry out and crack. That's my personal preference. I also change the oil as soon as I swap cars. I've always done it this way and have never had any problems. I suppose it comes down to personal preference.

[audacity]

why dont you just push the cars out of the way. Starting an engine and not getting it up to full operating temperature is worse then not starting it at all.

this always idle to full temp.

oh yeah and were all here for the same thing, advice on the cars we drive. who cares if its not an s4. the s4 section is the only one with any real traffic on it anyway.

[Yesmar]

I mean it takes a long time to idle to full temp. If your not goi g to drive it and get the oil sloshing around and get the engine oil up to temp don't start the car. You also have to think about the trans and diff. You think they like doing there job for 2min over and over again without any of those fluids are anywhere close to operating temp. Our cars aren't dinosaurs that need to be moved around so you don't get flat spots on tires and need fuck with everything once a month so the choke doesn't gets screwed up. Your doing more harm starting a car and ideling it then you would just to leave it sit even for years at a time. If you have to move it and aren't actually driving it throw it in neutral and move it. Maybe get some dollies.
It's not "guess it's personal preference" are you going to kill the car? No. are you doing more harm then good Yes! just think about it, it's common sense.

[S4gasm aka LOTR]

To add: if it sits in one spot, at least roll it forward a few feet every couple weeks to avoid flat spots in the tires.
Also, get a battery maintainer on there, they are like $30 and will save your battery. You will kill batteries very quick with what you're doing.
And a block heater under there to keep the oil warm. I jam a magnetic one under mine with a tin can holding it there (since oil pan is aluminum, magnet won't stick)

[getslideways]

IMO (whatever that is worth lol) you'll be fine OP

These cars were designed to be used by enthusiast and idiot alike, so they can take a few cold starts without kicking a rod out the side. I change my oil every 3k miles or 6 months, whichever comes first. So pulling it out of winter storage would be right about that time anyway. Its like anything, is one "worse" than the other? Sure, but how worse is worse? In theory taking corners wears out diffs more than just driving straight, so should you plan routes with minimal turns because its "better".

These are fun toys, but they are not temperamental, cutting edge technology racecars that need to be treated as if they were made of glass.

Your battery will take a beating in the conditions you described though, so as mentioned a battery tender would be a worth while investment... again, just my worthless opinion.

[mikeb17]

I love how everyone feels so strongly about their own opinions lol. Let's throw up the ring of fire and battle it out to the death! I value your opinion getslideways. It's your opinion that keeps me around audizine haha.

[JJ.]

Thanks all for the wide variety of answers haha.
Still have no idea now
I think i won't kill it, but it can't be good either. I'll just try to take it down to a minimum of start ups as possible.



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[getslideways]

....I value your opinion getslideways. It's your opinion that keeps me around audizine haha.

[Nollywood]

This is what I was getting at, couldn't have said it better myself. And yeah it is kind of annoying non s4 guys coming into the s4 forum, I browse the a4 sections but I don't tell some guy how to build his 1.8

Take a chill pill pal. Anyone can post in any section, regardless of what they drive. I run a 2000 B5 4.2 V8 40V Quattro, a 2000 B5 A4 Quattro 2.5 TDI V6, as well as a 2006 D3 A8 Quattro 4.2 TDI V8. I post pretty much in every sub-forum here, it doesn't really matter.

It's all about sharing in the community. Not every B5 S4 owner will have the answer to a problem you may have, not every poster who DOES have the solutions you crave even drives an Audi, or any other VAG product, they're simply enthusiasts who happen to have a broader knowledge of automobiles in general.

Take it easy.

[zillarob]

[audacity]

i lol'ddd