[kolosy]

i've got a detached garage in Chiberia, and while it generally stays warmer than the outside, it does drop below freezing. Obviously cars are parked on streets in the freezing cold all the time, but is there any reason to keep the garage above freezing? Any long term benefits?

[henrylee]

Nah you’re fine. You are already covering it from the snow.

[SD ///M4]

No need, but if you're thinking that you can just put a space heater in your garage to heat it, I would strongly advise against that.

[Colinv6]

I’m building a new garage at the moment and have centrally heated it with 2 radiators. My motto was if I’m building a man cave, I want to be warm

[moonluv810]

Instead of heating the entire garage and paying high utilities, I suggest using an electric blanket to keep your car warm and cozy. That's how I keep my wife from jacking up the thermostat in our house.

[kolosy]

Originally Posted by SD ///M4

No need, but if you're thinking that you can just put a space heater in your garage to heat it, I would strongly advise against that.

no, i don't particularly fancy the thought of Avus Blue Flambé

i'd get a heater meant for permanent use. You can get a 50K BTU one for a few hundred bucks..

[ntg44]

This is a good opportunity to ask about tires.

Is there any issue with having summer tires in the garage with temps this cold? Not talking about r comps, but MPSS level.

[SD ///M4]

Originally Posted by ntgarage44

This is a good opportunity to ask about tires.

Is there any issue with having summer tires in the garage with temps this cold? Not talking about r comps, but MPSS level.

Do you mean off the car, just stored in the garage? Cold temperatures only affect the traction of summer tires when they're on the car and being driven in cold temperatures. Otherwise, they're just chunks of rubber, and are not affected by cold temperatures.

Short answer: no

[SMGCFP]

I'd only heat the garage if you plan on spending time working in there. Some guys like to hang out in their garages. I don't. My garage got down to 26 degrees this past weekend when it was -8 degrees outside. This morning, back up to 41 degrees inside the garage, outdoor temp 20 degrees. The car is fine. It's not getting hit with wind, blowing snow, sun, etc. It actually looks majestic next to my X2 right now which looks like a car driven in snow for 4 straight days.

[ctdw]

Originally Posted by kolosy

i've got a detached garage in Chiberia, and while it generally stays warmer than the outside, it does drop below freezing. Obviously cars are parked on streets in the freezing cold all the time, but is there any reason to keep the garage above freezing? Any long term benefits?

I have a mini split AC/heat installed in my garage since I work in it often (hobbies, detailing, etc). I would not do it just to keep the cars in a temp controlled environment.

[lsturbointeg]

my coworker has a pole barn which is basically his mancave and has heated floors. he only did this because he spends 95% of the day in it than his house along with his cars and projects. so it makes sense

[overcoil]

If I were to have a car that I drove on salt applied snow covered roads, I wouldn't want to drive that car into a heated garage. Doesn't the rust process increase over the freezing point? and think at about 52 degrees and above the corrosion process is increased even further.

[Grumpy Old Man]

is the reason for wanting to heat the garage to ensure your car starts up when it's cold....maybe a block heater is the solution. Cheap to use, easy to install and your car will start easily and you'll get heat really quickly.

[tuco44]

Originally Posted by kolosy

i've got a detached garage in Chiberia, and while it generally stays warmer than the outside, it does drop below freezing. Obviously cars are parked on streets in the freezing cold all the time, but is there any reason to keep the garage above freezing? Any long term benefits?

No, unless you are spending a lot of time in it. For the car, no.

[TomHudson]

I keep the garage around 4 to 5 degrees C.
Just to keep any cans, bottles etc from freezing.

My garage is well insulated, so the cost is minimal.

I also have a large kerosene heater if I want to do work in there. It heats up very quickly, then the electric heater just maintains!

[F30lolz]

My garage is heated yearly :/

[stbm5]

if you got the coin then go for it. its nice to be able to wash car in the cold or just hide out in the garage when necessary.

[CTinline-six]

Originally Posted by ScottSinger

If I were to have a car that I drove on salt applied snow covered roads, I wouldn't want to drive that car into a heated garage. Doesn't the rust process increase over the freezing point? and think at about 52 degrees and above the corrosion process is increased even further.

This. If they salt the roads you don't want a heated garage.

I bought a propane "torpedo" style heater from home depot when it was on sale for $100. I hook it to one of those small gas grill propane tanks and let it run for 15-20 minutes before I work in the garage. Best $100 I've ever spent. I changed my oil in a T-shirt the other night when it was 5 degrees outside and windy.

[1MOREMOD]

I had electrician come in and wire up heater for garage primarily so tires, track tires, wouldnt get below recommended temp. Also nice to have it 50 plus all the time just for work.

[gooselee]

My garage itself isn't heated, but I have a pass-through door between it and the pantry, and a HVAC vent in the pantry.

If I'm going to be working in the garage for a while, I just leave that door open and it'll bring the temp up to a comfortable level.

[Angry Ketchup]

Garage is against my "semi-detached" shit little British house, but only accessible by going outside through my garden. I keep it pretty warm since we are constantly doing laundry and the tumble-dryer seems to never stop running.

It's hilariously narrow, so can't park my 6er in it and open the doors. Would only be able to enter/exit car via convertible roof.

Living over here for so long has made us so particular with the house we're building back in The States. Going all out.. ha New US garage will be insulated and on HVAC circuit, but able to be isolated.

[Angry Ketchup]

Originally Posted by Angry Ketchup

...

New US garage will be insulated and on HVAC circuit, but able to be isolated.

Talking about heated garages, what about heated driveways and walkways?

My aunt's house had this back in the 70s and was considered 'new age'. Was really nice for melting snow in the winter and having warm patio around the swimming pool on cool autumn nights.