i've never liked my driving my 54 in winter... and this summer we had in sydney it hasn't be used "properly" in about 8months now - not knowing much, i run it in my garage every week for about 20 mins to "warm it over" and take it locally to the shops - [ 2mins each way - never gets above25k's an hour ] - needs a big run i know - but what can i be doing to keep it sweet till the sun comes again... ?

thanks in advance

hate to sound like a smart arse but drive it , just sitting and short runs is worse then just sitting there sometimes

If it's in a dry garage, then sitting for six months won't really do it any harm. I certainly wouldn't bother starting it up every week in the garage. The engine wear from the cold start is probably worse for the engine than letting it sit all winter.

Just take it for a decent drive (20 minutes at least) as often as you can. Taking it down to the shops for two minutes is doing it more harm than good, as it doesn't get time to warm up to full temperature. As it runs from cold, moisture can build up in the exhaust, which then evaporates out as it gets hotter.

Put a coat on, cold won't hurt you.

south

try living way in the south like vic or tas then you know what cold is.

negative temps from 7 pm til 9 am some days and nice sunny day wont reach above 10oC



Just drive the dam thing at least 30 - 40 min once every 1- 2 weeks or more frequently.

A spoonful of cement to be administered daily?

It's called rug up, wear gloves, scarf and drive with a little blanket over your lap. Cold weather has never stopped me from driving my dubs. I've never owned a beetle with a working heater! I drive my split in the pouring rain with rain leaking through the safari's and down my leg and the wind blowing through the quarter window that doesn't close properly. Who cares, I wouldn't have it any other way. Cold Perth and Victorian Bass Coast weather never stopped me.

Perhaps a new car might suit you better?

oh jeeze harden up
just drive it
I have a 54 too
driving it hasn't hurt it
so spend the extra 11cents on petrol and wear some warm clothes n hop to it

oops wrong way should of said north sunnyer

give it to me I'll drive it

Depends what you've done to your engine bay whether you have the heater boxes removed, and no, not just a beetle thing.

I lived in Armidale for 3 years with no heat in the bug; a hot water bottle becomes your friend!!

If you go for a longer trip in the cold you jsut have to stop in at servo's or cafes and ask for some hot water after a few hours!

Cheers

Shaun

Cold never stopped this bloke!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUnEbNgHFco 

I certainly have my heater connected - I love them.

At the moment I drive past Armidale on Friday & Sunday nights on my way between Port Macquarie & Inverell - would be a miserable trip (or a lot of mucking around trying to keep warm) without my heaters.

move to cairns.

SOFT!!!

The word I would use is sensible. VW designed & fitted heaters for the cars, I can't see any reason unless you are too stupid/lazy/poor/ignorant/pig headed, why you would not use them unless you have engine mods that won't allow it (can be fitted to most modded VW engines though) - all this said with a sense of bewilderment in my voice.

Certainly a shit load easier than moving home & job.

So it's also overkill if I move to Broken hill cos I don't like fixing rust?

How do I reinstall them in the wench?

Mmmmm the heater in our Bug is nice and warm. You smell a bit like oil, but that is part of the fun.

Hahaha! Better get those heaters in the buggy Don, I would hate for you to feel cold.

It's called clothing, perhaps you should try it Jeff. Any one would think we live in Europe where it snows and they drive around in minus temperatures. Port Macquarie doesn't even get cold.

Time to move Joel!

I hate being held down by too much clothing - especially shoes (ask anyone who knows me) - I would much rather just turn on the heaters. :-)

I did mention that I am working in Inverell and go over the range twice a weekend - was -10 degrees in Glen Innes up the road twice last week, so a bit nippy. I am not working out here for the weather - us peasants have to do what we have to do.

a jumper and a cup of warm soup! mmm...

Thats what i'd do... haven't yet.
Need a cup holder though

I am agree ... rug up .. go hard or stay home!

I'm with jeff..... Heaters are sweet if you have em

Being nice and toasty when arriving at work for early starts, can't beat it!

On the original post.... I think you're doing the right thing getting it warmed right up once a month and a drive to the shops to keep the brakes from seizing, battery charged, fuel tuning over through the carb and pump etc etc is a good thing. There are warmer days to go for a decent run too tho....