Should I hibernate my new Mazda 3 in winter?

[sip]

Should I hibernate my new Mazda 3 in winter and use my old Dodge Caravan (which I hardly use except for summer camping trips) as a winter beater?

Pros:
1) No need to get winter tires as Caravan has Nokian WRs
2) Reduced insurance, as Caravan has only 3rd party
3) Protects Mazda 3 from elements

Cons:
My main concern is Caravan's breaking on ice and snow. The Caravan takes a long time to stop, as it is heavy compared to Mazda 3. In emergency braking situations, the wheels get locked (as it doesn't have ABS) and the van slides on ice.

Will it be more safe to drive a ABS equipped Mazda 3 than a Caravan with no ABS in winter? Does ABS make a huge difference in ice/snow breaking? Should I disconnect the battery, if I choose to hibernate the Mazda?

[Zoom Zoom Boy]

Cons:
My main concern is Caravan's breaking on ice and snow. The Caravan takes a long time to stop, as it is heavy compared to Mazda 3. In emergency braking situations, the wheels get locked (as it doesn't have ABS) and the van slides on ice.

Will it be more safe to drive a ABS equipped Mazda 3 than a Caravan with no ABS in winter? Does ABS make a huge difference in ice/snow breaking? Should I disconnect the battery, if I choose to hibernate the Mazda?

As you said, the Caravan is heavier, so it will always lack the overall nimble handling and braking ability of the Mazda. However, if things were equal, which obviously they are not in this case, a vehicle without ABS brakes, actually stops faster in the snow than a vehicle with ABS brakes. However, the ability to keep steering is diminished in a vehicle without ABS in full brake lock.

[Default User]

I would drive the 3
OR
buy new winters for the van and stop locking the brakes (pump 'em)

[aris]

If the van is just siting their then drive it..but if you going to be down a car then drive the mazda

[philipfreire]

drive the van. sit your 3. you will save quite a bit of KM's over the winter season and u will protect it from rusting.

my 3 wont see salt this winter.

[cwp_sedan]

I would drive the van. Though I would make sure you have the tools and emergency items just in case it brakes down. Just adjust your driving habits for the van and give that much more space and drive a little slower. If I could park my 3 for the winter I would, no questions.

[Mazda3X2]

I don't know how old your Caravan is but I would just drive the 3. It's not some sports car or classic that you need to save from the elements and delicately put away. These are everyday cars. Even if you did, you still need to keep comp insurance on it anyways. Treat it well, wash it regularly and have it rust proofed. They work well in the winter with some decent winter tires and I am assuming it would be more reliable and possibly safer than an older Caravan.

Just my $0.02

If you do store it take the battery out and put it in a warm, dry place, not directly on a cement floor.

[DeadB2000]

If somebody veered off center an hit you head on or slid out of a side street and T-boned you, which vehicle would you rather be in? I'm guessing the minivan. I would rather see a Dodge smashed up 100 times over my Mazda. Have your Mazda taken off the insurance policy for the months you are not using it, throw in some fuel stabilizer and drive the Dodge. I have a buddy who bought an RX-7 new in about 81. He's had it up on blocks every winter since and man, it's a peach. Still has about 70,000 original miles. You might thank yourself later and hey, the Dodge is going to fall apart anyway. Not to be mean but I was in the wrecker many times over the last 5 years for the B 2000 and the place was half full of Dodge minivans, some of them with remarkably good looking interiors and bodies.

[silverstar32]

This a good question and one that I have been thinking about as well.

I have a 2010 Mazda 3 GT Sedan and I also am thinking about parking it as I don't want it subjected to the elements or idiots on the road who don't know how to drive in the snow.

Question is how do you hibernate a car?? Do you actually take out the battery or park it in the garage and start it every week or so to keep the fluids flowing??

[Flagrum_3]

If somebody veered off center an hit you head on or slid out of a side street and T-boned you, which vehicle would you rather be in? I'm guessing the minivan. I would rather see a Dodge smashed up 100 times over my Mazda. Have your Mazda taken off the insurance policy for the months you are not using it, throw in some fuel stabilizer and drive the Dodge. I have a buddy who bought an RX-7 new in about 81. He's had it up on blocks every winter since and man, it's a peach. Still has about 70,000 original miles. You might thank yourself later and hey, the Dodge is going to fall apart anyway. Not to be mean but I was in the wrecker many times over the last 5 years for the B 2000 and the place was half full of Dodge minivans, some of them with remarkably good looking interiors and bodies.

You don't want to be doing that!! Just drop 'most' of the Insurance, you can keep Fire and theft and it'll keep the policy active and protect the vehicle....and cost only a few dollars!!


Hiebernating; there are many trains of thought on that one!...When I did it the first year, I just pumped some extra air in the tires (a few Ibs) put fresh oil in her, waxed her twice and started her up every week.Once a month I drove her around a bit in my underground just to keep things from seizing.


_3

[shu5892001]

i don't think it's necessary to hibernate the 3..... i don't mean to bash mazda 3s but they are really just economical cars just like civic and corollas

[mazda_gurl]

^x2

Its just a Mazda lol..... drive it and if you get tboned, have their insurance fix it???
Seems like more work then its worth to hibernate a car if you have to continue with yucky maintenance IMO.

[Flagrum_3]

i don't think it's necessary to hibernate the 3..... i don't mean to bash mazda 3s but they are really just economical cars just like civic and corollas


^x2

Its just a Mazda lol..... drive it and if you get tboned, have their insurance fix it???
Seems like more work then its worth to hibernate a car if you have to continue with yucky maintenance IMO.

Well to each their own, I guess....Some people may just appreciate what they have more then others."Economy car", "just a 3"...doesn't sound like car enthusiasts to me though, that's just my opinion.But I, like others here take alot of pride in ownership of our lowely Madza 3's and I, like I'm sure others here prefer to treat our cars like their something more!.....I don't see anything wrong in that!...Maybe I'm different but I don't envy other's or dream of having that BMW or Porsche or whatever, but I can take alot of pride in knowing I can keep this car for years to come and in another ten years, I'll probably still love it as much as I do today.So all the power to whomever decides to store their 3's for winter.


_3

[pacmann33]

Since you have the caravan drive it. When it blows up use the Mazda3 everyday, all day, all winter!

[crono06]

Well to each their own, I guess....Some people may just appreciate what they have more then others."Economy car", "just a 3"...doesn't sound like car enthusiasts to me though, that's just my opinion.But I, like others here take alot of pride in ownership of our lowely Madza 3's and I, like I'm sure others here prefer to treat our cars like their something more!.....I don't see anything wrong in that!...Maybe I'm different but I don't envy other's or dream of having that BMW or Porsche or whatever, but I can take alot of pride in knowing I can keep this car for years to come and in another ten years, I'll probably still love it as much as I do today.So all the power to whomever decides to store their 3's for winter.


_3

I couldn't agree more with this. This Mz3 is my first personal car, and I love it. Sure, it's just an 'economy car', but I love it, and I hope to own it for years to come. I find that most people that strut around town in their Bimmers and Benz don't even care much for their cars. They are status symbols more than anything.

If I had the money to keep my dad's 97 Camry and my Mz3, I would def do that, and park the 3 for the winter.


Since you have the caravan drive it. When it blows up use the Mazda3 everyday, all day, all winter!

^^ This made me lol.

[Iceman_F1]

Well to each their own, I guess....Some people may just appreciate what they have more then others."Economy car", "just a 3"...doesn't sound like car enthusiasts to me though, that's just my opinion.But I, like others here take alot of pride in ownership of our lowely Madza 3's and I, like I'm sure others here prefer to treat our cars like their something more!.....I don't see anything wrong in that!...Maybe I'm different but I don't envy other's or dream of having that BMW or Porsche or whatever, but I can take alot of pride in knowing I can keep this car for years to come and in another ten years, I'll probably still love it as much as I do today.So all the power to whomever decides to store their 3's for winter.


_3

+1

Then again, I WOULD want a Porsche or some other "fun car" as well :chuckle

[Speedy2008]

Drive your Mazda for sure. During the first year of ownership, everyone handles their new car with extreme care. 1 year down the road, you'll be asking yourself, "why did I even bother storing it during the winter?" The Mazda 3 wants to be driven.

[crono06]

+1

Then again, I WOULD want a Porsche or some other "fun car" as well :chuckle

I think I must be one of the very few ppl that don't like Euro cars. I'd much rather have a 370Z/GTR/Evo/STi over any Euro luxo car. Dare I say, I'd even prefer a GTR over an exotic.

[Iceman_F1]

I think I must be one of the very few ppl that don't like Euro cars. I'd much rather have a 370Z/GTR/Evo/STi over any Euro luxo car. Dare I say, I'd even prefer a GTR over an exotic.

lol...my definition of "fun car" is always changing. Just stating that while I love my 3, that doesn't mean I wouldn't like a different one as a "fun car" that I would drive on the rare occasion :chuckle

[ricohman]

Should I hibernate my new Mazda 3 in winter and use my old Dodge Caravan (which I hardly use except for summer camping trips) as a winter beater?

Pros:
1) No need to get winter tires as Caravan has Nokian WRs
2) Reduced insurance, as Caravan has only 3rd party
3) Protects Mazda 3 from elements

Cons:
My main concern is Caravan's breaking on ice and snow. The Caravan takes a long time to stop, as it is heavy compared to Mazda 3. In emergency braking situations, the wheels get locked (as it doesn't have ABS) and the van slides on ice.
Will it be more safe to drive a ABS equipped Mazda 3 than a Caravan with no ABS in winter? Does ABS make a huge difference in ice/snow breaking? Should I disconnect the battery, if I choose to hibernate the Mazda?

This is more of an issue with your driving than the vehicle. Unless your driving it with bald tires in the winter.

[ricohman]

I don't know how old your Caravan is but I would just drive the 3. It's not some sports car or classic that you need to save from the elements and delicately put away. These are everyday cars. Even if you did, you still need to keep comp insurance on it anyways. Treat it well, wash it regularly and have it rust proofed. They work well in the winter with some decent winter tires and I am assuming it would be more reliable and possibly safer than an older Caravan.

Just my $0.02

If you do store it take the battery out and put it in a warm, dry place, not directly on a cement floor.

This hasn't been a problem for decades since all batteries have plastic cases.
Unless you just don't want to trip on it.

[froggy]

ok enough lurking in this thread, time to throw my hat into the ring so to speak. I understand the whole idea of having a "winter beater" to protect your "new car" from salt and spray, and the possibility of nicks and dents, I get it. On the same end though, winter driving is the most dangerous and tricky time to be driving, I want the car with the best brakes, the best suspension, so that I can avoid accidents instead of worrying about having the "winter beater" out so that I won't care as much if it gets dinged up. Another thing to take into consideration is which car has the better safety equipment incase you do get into an accident? Which car will be more reliable? the last thing I'd want is to be stuck on the side of the road for an hour or more freezing my buns off because the old "beater" decided to go belly up. The Mazda 3 is a very nice car, especially for it's price point, but at the same time it is still a tool. A tool that was designed to be used.

In this situation given the choice between driving a caravan with a live rear axle, inferior brakes, higher centre of gravity and no abs brakes,a parking brake that you need to use your foot for, and a mazda 3 with good brakes, low centre of gravity, independant suspension, abs brakes and a properly placed parking brake, I'll take the mazda any day of the week.

[aris]

In this situation given the choice between driving a caravan with a live rear axle, inferior brakes, higher centre of gravity and no abs brakes,a parking brake that you need to use your foot for, and a mazda 3 with good brakes, low centre of gravity, independant suspension, abs brakes and a properly placed parking brake, I'll take the mazda any day of the week.

What do you mean "live rear axle" the caravan is front wheel drive.

When i had my dakota R/T i always had a winter beater..i never once drove that truck in winter and i never had any problems with my winter beaters..i loved them cause i didn't care what happened to them..now with my mazda i am worried about someone hit it..lol

[froggy]

What do you mean "live rear axle" the caravan is front wheel drive.

When i had my dakota R/T i always had a winter beater..i never once drove that truck in winter and i never had any problems with my winter beaters..i loved them cause i didn't care what happened to them..now with my mazda i am worried about someone hit it..lol

by live rear axle i mean that the 2 rear wheels are held together by a single axle that moves as a single piece. the wheels don't move indepentanly. I know it's a fwd, and in some cases an awd. but with our cars if one rear wheel goes into a pot hole or over a bump the other wheel isn't directly conected to it. With a set up like the caravans there is a greater tendency for the rear wheels to "skip" and bounce, especially when cornering

[aris]

by live rear axle i mean that the 2 rear wheels are held together by a single axle that moves as a single piece. the wheels don't move indepentanly. I know it's a fwd, and in some cases an awd. but with our cars if one rear wheel goes into a pot hole or over a bump the other wheel isn't directly conected to it. With a set up like the caravans there is a greater tendency for the rear wheels to "skip" and bounce, especially when cornering

Gotcha:)

[ricohman]

by live rear axle i mean that the 2 rear wheels are held together by a single axle that moves as a single piece. the wheels don't move indepentanly. I know it's a fwd, and in some cases an awd. but with our cars if one rear wheel goes into a pot hole or over a bump the other wheel isn't directly conected to it. With a set up like the caravans there is a greater tendency for the rear wheels to "skip" and bounce, especially when cornering

Big deal. A zillion cars have beam type rear axles.
2010 Matrix, Cobalt, Cavaliers ect. Loooooong list. There must be millions of front drive Chryslers out there. I would bet they would outnumber a Mazda3 by 50 to 1 or better.
A beam axle does just fine in the snow or on dry pavement. Its not as sophisticated as an independent setup but it can be a lot stronger and cheaper to produce.
All "real" trucks have a live axles front and rear.

[pacmann33]

My 2009 dodge dakota has live rear axle, obviously, and my old astro van too. they do ok in the snow, dry handling suffers more than winter hadling/traction does.

[ricohman]

My 2009 dodge dakota has live rear axle, obviously, and my old astro van too. they do ok in the snow, dry handling suffers more than winter hadling/traction does.

I would agree. If you are going fast enough on ice or snow to upset the rear end in a corner you are going way to fast for the conditions anyways.

[Hives]

Van is fine. I would drive it. Drive the mazda when there is no slush or snow. I drove my Caravan when it was alive during winter 2 years ago, with all season tires too.

[froggy]

You guys can drive whatever you want and use whatever reasoning you want to keep from driving your 3 in the winter. Like I said for me, the better braking, suspension, and especially the lower centre of gravity would make me choose a 3 over a van. For the same reasons I would choose a small crossover or a subbie over a big high centre of gravity truck. My optimal winter vehicle would be a landrover.

[sip]

Thanks everyone for your comments and advice.

I put the Mazda in storage. I figure savings of over $1000 on on insurance and winter tires.

I washed the car, changed oil, inflated tires to 44 psi and put a full tank of gas with stabilizer. I didn't disconnect the battery, as I plan to start the car every other week. Did I miss any thing else?

[pacmann33]

Start it once a month at most.

Those winter cold starts do more harm than good, and when you really feel the need to do a winter start...the car has to run for a LONG LONG time to make sure you get rid of the moisture in the exhaust, etc. Just because the engine is up to temp and the thermostat opens you have to generate as much heat as possible to dry everything out. Many people are misinformed about the benefits of winter starts, and thus do it every week, and do it improperly.

It is best to get a trickle charger for the battery and extend winter start intervals.

[aris]

Thanks everyone for your comments and advice.

I put the Mazda in storage. I figure savings of over $1000 on on insurance and winter tires.

I washed the car, changed oil, inflated tires to 44 psi and put a full tank of gas with stabilizer. I didn't disconnect the battery, as I plan to start the car every other week. Did I miss any thing else?

You should NOT start it at all..you build condestion in your gas tank by starting it..when i had my truck i would store it from middle of October till mid April and i never once touched it...i disconected the battery and left it.

[pacmann33]

You should NOT start it at all..you build condestion in your gas tank by starting it..when i had my truck i would store it from middle of October till mid April and i never once touched it...i disconected the battery and left it.

BIG +1

I would start it once or twice myself but that is it.

My bikes only get started in the winter after internal engine work is done, or I have adjusted the valve shims etc to let everything settle, and to lubricate everything, plus ease my mind knowing I put it back together properly LOL.

[ricohman]

You should NOT start it at all..you build condestion in your gas tank by starting it..when i had my truck i would store it from middle of October till mid April and i never once touched it...i disconected the battery and left it.

You mean condensation in the crankcase.
Unless of course you want to run it for a day and use half a tank of fuel.
Running the engine for a short time (although not recommended) will not introduce and moisture into the fuel.

[ricohman]

BIG +1

I would start it once or twice myself but that is it.

My bikes only get started in the winter after internal engine work is done, or I have adjusted the valve shims etc to let everything settle, and to lubricate everything, plus ease my mind knowing I put it back together properly LOL.

Agreed. Once my R1150GS is away for the winter I do not start it until I'm ready to ride it.

[pacmann33]

You mean condensation in the crankcase.
Unless of course you want to run it for a day and use half a tank of fuel.
Running the engine for a short time (although not recommended) will not introduce and moisture into the fuel.

Correct!


And...about the GS....SWEET RIDE!

I want one to ride on the road instead of using sportbikes...they have lost alot of their fun factor, riding them on the track is so exhilarating while on the road....just plain boring!!

I adore the GS!!! I really like it's little 800cc twin, in 800GS form of course.

[ricohman]

Correct!


And...about the GS....SWEET RIDE!

I want one to ride on the road instead of using sportbikes...they have lost alot of their fun factor, riding them on the track is so exhilarating while on the road....just plain boring!!

I adore the GS!!! I really like it's little 800cc twin, in 800GS form of course.

Mine is an 05' R1150GS Adventure with the factory aluminum bags.
I am taking it to the arctic ocean next June. I was a sport bike rider since the 80's but now I am trying something new.
My last bike was a ZX-11.

[pacmann33]

Awesome! the Adventure! spoked wheels, huge gas tank! I rode that gen of GS and fell in love!

My dad sold his ZX-11 D1 ('93 purple and orange) 2 years ago when his new 2008 Kawasaki Concours 1400 arrived. The ZX-11 is quite the bike, heavy and slow now, but it was the hayabusa of it's day! Stunningly beautiful, and broke many many records. Held the top speed crown for a long time too. Doesn't go around corners, but it wasn't meant to. Other than outright top speed though a new 600 has the zx-11's hands full in a straight line. Heck, 600's are faster than the concourse 1400 for sure. Crazy how fast things evolve in the motorcycle world!

[aris]

You mean condensation in the crankcase.


No i mean in the GAS TANK

[ricohman]

No i mean in the GAS TANK

Running the car will not cause this. Only happens with a partially full tank that condenses on the inside.
Thats why I store my bikes with full tanks of gas. Prevents the bottoms from rusting out.

[aris]

Running the car will not cause this. Only happens with a partially full tank that condenses on the inside.
Thats why I store my bikes with full tanks of gas. Prevents the bottoms from rusting out.

No offence but your not going to change my mind about this..starting it will cause condensation:)

[mintegt]

Ok here's my take on this.
I have parked my 3 for the past 3 years.
I just cant bear to see it get all mucked up.
I have been storing my Mustang every winter since 89 when I bought it,
What I do is Fill up the fuel tank disconnect the battery and cover it.
I put bounce dryer sheets inside to make it smell minty fresh and steel wool in the exhaust tips so no mice cant get in , I used to do the start up every couple weeks
your just wasting your time there's no need.
come spring I change the oil/filter connect the battery start them up and off I go

[mintegt]

Ok here's my take on this.
I have parked my 3 for the past 3 years.
I just cant bear to see it get all mucked up.
I have been storing my Mustang every winter since 89 when I bought it,
What I do is Fill up the fuel tank disconnect the battery and cover it.
I put bounce dryer sheets inside to make it smell minty fresh and steel wool in the exhaust tips so no mice cant get in , I used to do the start up every couple weeks
your just wasting your time there's no need.
come spring I change the oil/filter connect the battery start them up and off I go

And Sorry I park it because I have a reliable Escort Gt that I boot around in for the winter good Ole Paint had her for 10 years

[aris]

I have been storing my Mustang every winter since 89 when I bought it,
What I do is Fill up the fuel tank disconnect the battery and cover it.

your just wasting your time there's no need.
come spring I change the oil/filter connect the battery start them up and off I go

Agreed..i been doing this to my truck since it was brand new

[pacmann33]

If the tank is full of gas when you store it, and then start it a couple of times, you will not get condensation in your fuel tank at all. Whoever told you this is wrong, it is physics, I do this sort of thing for a living. The crankcase is where you will have problems with condensation. You need temperature change to vary the amount of "grains" of water that air can hold. Refer to a "psychrometric chart" if you wish to learn about moisture in air. You have moisture in your gas tank in the spring, summer and fall when the ambient temp is hot/high humidity in the day, and then cools at night.

Not trying to be a dick, but you don't need to worry about moisture in the gas tank by starting throughout the winter. :headbang

[r4BBiT]

Just drive the damn thing through the winter and problem solved :P

[aris]

Just drive the damn thing through the winter and problem solved :P

his problem has been solved a few posts down...he put it away for the winter

[philipfreire]

I have my 3 stored for the winter.

Do I miss driving it? Hell Yeah! I feel tempted to pull it out sometimes.
Do I want to drive it in this weather? No! after seeing the way people have been driving this year with the weather we have to date. I'm so glad shes safe. No exposure to the elements, salt or the potential accidents that can occur.

But I cant wait till March! :(

[hugcloshir]

at the end of the day its about 200$ which makes me cringe because being a tech i dont have to pay someone to tell me my car is in good shape and do an oil change for me. But stupid warranty will be to much a headache

[mazdaskit]

i should of kept my 91 civic HB lol and put my 3 to sleep in the winter too.

[aris]

at the end of the day its about 200$ which makes me cringe because being a tech i dont have to pay someone to tell me my car is in good shape and do an oil change for me. But stupid warranty will be to much a headache

??

[sunnyhomeboy]

just drive it in the winter...the mazda 3 is a winter beater n e way

[riceRocket]

if you store your car every winter. 3 years later, you'll see a huge difference between yours and other peoples.

[Kaiserhead]

My parents and I both bought new 2000 Proteges at the same time, theirs stayed in Toronto, mine went to Florida for three years and was stored for three winters when it came back. They both have the same millage, but mine looked like it was in all most new condition, whereas theirs was well worn from the winter driving. Salt and flying ice debris from trucks will take its toll on cars, if you want to keep the car for more than ten years and don't need it in the winter, I would store it from Dec 1st to April 1st. I always changed the oil before I parked it, filled the gas tank and dropped some gas stabilizer in it with the battery disconnected. The Protege fired up every April without hesitation.