I've got a '98 S70. It's been frigid here (minus #s for several days--today -10 and -20 tomorrow), lots of snow & ice on the ground, so I've not been driving anywhere much. Car lives in an unheated garage.

My questions: Should I be starting the car, warming it up everyday--even if I'm not driving anywhere? Have a new battery, went for a short drive yesterday--10 minutes--and it started/ran fine.

Is it harmful to just start it and warm it up w/o actually driving it? If not, how short a drive would work to maintain it?

If it's okay and effective to just warm it in the garage, is just letting it run 5 minutes enough?

thank you!

 

You can do that if you like, but it is best if you start it to get it up to operating temperature by going for a short drive. Heating it up to operating temperature allows any collected moisture in the exhaust system to evaporate and any small condensed water that may have formed in the oil to boil off. Plus it ensures the battery gets a good charge from the alternator.

 

Most engine wear and tear is within the first few minutes of starting. Extreme cold weather makes it worse.
Just had a cold snap here in dallas, I leave my truck outside, just left it alone for 6 days, started it today and drove it 15 minutes on the freeway. When my garage started to drop below freezing I actually put a space heater in there. With the power outages and all I only had electricity 6 to 8 hours a day but that kept it over 32 degrees, not necessary but when I ran out for groceries it was nice not having it so cold.
If I remember, I'll get some sort of engine heater next year, dipstick heater, electric over the top of the engine blanket, or something.

My dad hated cold cars but hated cleaning out his garage more so always had cold cars in the Colorado mountain winter. He ended up with three engine heaters and a small electric heater for the passenger compartment. Swore that he'd walk out the morning after a blizzard and not only was his car warm and started insrantly but was clear of snow as well.