Winter question

D

david 1

Joined
May 19, 2024
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103,208
MH
Etrusco
Any suggestions on how frequently I should start up the engine during the winter months when it's not used much? The engine battery isn't great so once started how long should I take it for a drive to recharge it a bit.
Also, any recommendations for a better battery for a Fiat Ducato?

Really grateful for your thoughts!

As an FYI the leads on a Noco Boost X 12V 1250A Jump Starter (GBX45) aren't long enough to reach both the positive charging point & the negative engine block point under the bonnet on the Ducato.
The next one up in the Noco range is: NOCO Boost X 12V 1750A Jump Starter (GBX55)
 
If I start my engine I leave it running long enough so the exhaust get hot, ideally take for a spin. I don’t want any corrosive gases condensing and remaining in the exhaust system.
 
Do you have a dpf ?

They seriously dislike being started and left to idle.
Either take it for a decent drive or leave it along until you can

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I remember reading it takes at least 20 mins drive to put back into the battery what you have taken out starting it ! How true that is I don’t know but we usually give it a good half hour run anyway.
Like PPJ says use your jump pack on poss and on any place for the earth lead 👍
 
Thanks for the responses - really helpful.
Have to confess I had to google dpf & I think it does have it
 
Without reaching operating temperature, which it won't do idling, the dpf clogs up and you get sensor errors which can mean main dealer workshop intervention and a hit on your credit card :mad:
 
I seriously doubt 10 miles is quite far enough to thoroughly warm thru a diesel engine in winter temperatures. I take ours for a 30 mile run every 3 or 4 weeks. (Ours is a Transit...so the last thing I want to do is upset the belt, injectors or any other delicate ford bits....)

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I treated myself to one of these. Very sceptical at first but thought I’ll give it a try and if it’s rubbish, it’ll be going back.

Well so far it’s been used on my car a few times and I fitted a new engine battery today, my neighbours car that wouldn’t start, not even on a slave from her boyfriends car, but this had it started at a flick of the key and on the motorhome. It’s small enough to sit on the engine with the clamps across the battery and it really spins the motors quite nicely.

Liked it so much, I kept it. Another handy tool in my arsenal of man’s stuff 👍🏻

IMG_4091.webp



 
DandJ said:
I seriously doubt 10 miles is quite far enough to thoroughly warm thru a diesel engine in winter temperatures. I take ours for a 30 mile run every 3 or 4 weeks. (Ours is a Transit...so the last thing I want to do is upset the belt, injectors or any other delicate ford bits....)
Click to expand...
If mine isn't being used for a month in winter I take it for a 60 mile drive, 30 miles there and 30 miles back.
This is not to charge batteries as my solar and Battery Master keeps my leisure and starter battery charged fine but to give all the mechanicals a work out.
 
I often wonder about all those vehicles sitting in dealers forecourt for months on end. During lockdown my vans starter battery went flat, so as soon as lockdown ended I booked into Vanbitz and had them fit a Battery master. Now during winter I put the van on hookup overnight every 2-3 weeks.
The van is SORNed so I have the van raised on its E&P self leveling to prevent flat spots and cracking of the tyres. On a regular basis I operate the handbrake to prevent it sticking on. This seems to work for me. During lockdown, here in Wales you couldn't go more than 5 miles from home and my car ended up braking down because the dpf valve got clogged up. If only I had solar panels and a battery master in the car 😄
 
tonyidle said:
I parked mine up for 18 months during and after lock down & just took care of the batteries via home EHU. I really don't understand the need to intermittently start or run a parked up vehicle.
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I agree. My van is laid up over winter and I use a two channel battery maintainer to keep the starter and leisure batteries topped up. I leave this on permanently during lay up.

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I don't run mine for 5 or 6 months in winter, I have 2 optimate maintainers on the batteries. Been like this from new, 10 years old now.

I fitted a new starter battery last summer just because it was 10 years old, it was still working perfectly.

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Wee Bold Davy said:
I often wonder about all those vehicles sitting in dealers forecourt for months on end. During lockdown my vans starter battery went flat, so as soon as lockdown ended I booked into Vanbitz and had them fit a Battery master. Now during winter I put the van on hookup overnight every 2-3 weeks.
The van is SORNed so I have the van raised on its E&P self leveling to prevent flat spots and cracking of the tyres. On a regular basis I operate the handbrake to prevent it sticking on. This seems to work for me. During lockdown, here in Wales you couldn't go more than 5 miles from home and my car ended up braking down because the dpf valve got clogged up. If only I had solar panels and a battery master in the car 😄
Click to expand...
If you are up on levellers you could just release the hand brake and remember to put it on before lowering the levellers🤔 that’s what I do without problems😊
 
Terry said:
I remember reading it takes at least 20 mins drive to put back into the battery what you have taken out starting it ! How true that is I don’t know but we usually give it a good half hour run anyway.
Like PPJ says use your jump pack on poss and on any place for the earth lead 👍
Click to expand...

An Off Duty AA Patrolman gave me similar information on 20 minutes BUT my experience with my mum's old motor car is, that is not enough.

I would rather invest more time, and money, to help protect my motorhome.

Being retired does mean that time is available,, otherwise I like to think I'd still make the time, and call it a dayout. After all it is a motorhome, so on the designated day which is perfect if it is sunny and dry so that I can drive with windows and vents open so as to blow fresh air throught the van.

Depart Cardiff in the AM. Drive North, up the A470 via Merthyr Tydfil to Brecon. Beautiful views and a comfortable drive.

Turn East, along the A40, either eating at a booked table in the Old Ford Inn, https://www.theoldfordinn.com/,
then on to Abergavenny. If I've not eaten then a pit stop at the Costa out of town near Waitrose.

Take the A465 back to Dowlais Top where I turn south back to Cardiff on the A470.

Often I take my own lunch with me and just park up in any one of the many laybys and picnic, itis a Motorhome. :)

It's probably 50-60 miles, most cruising in high gear but plenty of gear changes, so everything, Tyres, Brakes, Engine, and Fluids of the Fiat get exercised and depending on the day much of the Habitation gets an airing.

It can take two hours or all day, mayby £20 of fuel but it certainly keeps the van in tip top condition.
 
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Speve said:
If you are up on levellers you could just release the hand brake and remember to put it on before lowering the levellers🤔 that’s what I do without problems😊
Click to expand...
I would do this if my drive was flat, but it's got quite a slope. I've got 4 inch high wooden blocks under the front levellers and 1 inch wooden blocks on the rear and don't have the tyres off the ground but up just enough to take the bulk of the weight off the tyres. I don't want to have the levellers extended too high for so long. It's worked for 5 years so I'm happy with that. (y)
 
Wee Bold Davy said:
I would do this if my drive was flat, but it's got quite a slope. I've got 4 inch high wooden blocks under the front levellers and 1 inch wooden blocks on the rear and don't have the tyres off the ground but up just enough to take the bulk of the weight off the tyres. I don't want to have the levellers extended too high for so long. It's worked for 5 years so I'm happy with that. (y)
Click to expand...
I built my ramp out of railway sleepers.

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The Old Man said:
An Off Duty AA Patrolman gave me similar information on 20 minutes BUT my experience with my mum's old motor car is, that is not enough.

I would rather invest more time, and money, to help protect my motorhome.

Being retired does mean that time is available,, otherwise I like to think I'd still make the time, and call it a dayout. After all it is a motorhome, so on the designated day which is perfect if it is sunny and dry so that I can drive with windows and vents open so as to blow fresh air throught the van.

Depart Cardiff in the AM. Drive North, up the A470 via Merthyr Tydfil to Brecon. Beautiful views and a comfortable drive.

Turn East, along the A40, either eating at a booked table in the Old Ford Inn, https://www.theoldfordinn.com/,
then on to Abergavenny. If I've not eaten then a pit stop at the Costa out of town near Waitrose.

Take the A465 back to Dowlais Top where I turn south back to Cardiff on the A470.

Often I take my own lunch with me and just park up in any one of the many laybys and picnic, itis a Motorhome. :)

It's probably 50-60 miles, most cruising in high gear but plenty of gear changes, so everything, Tyres, Brakes, Engine, and Fluids of the Fiat get exercised and depending on the day much of the Habitation gets an airing.

It can take two hours or all day, mayby £20 of fuel but it certainly keeps the van in tip top condition.
Click to expand...
I do similar either from the storage in Cardiff up the Brecon Beacons and back or the storage to Porthcawl and back.
We tend to make a day out of it.
 

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