What to do when storing a car for the winter?

BMWN55 · 12-13-2011, 04:27 PM

I am assuming to trickle charge the battery?
start it up every couple of weeks until engine reaches operating temp?
Anything else? suggestions tips. I change the oil once a year and put less than 1k miles a year.

Tom K. · 12-13-2011, 06:46 PM

Battery Tender hooked up to the underhood terminals, tires at proper pressures and add a fuel stabilizer such as StaBil.

I wouldn't start the car unless you will be driving it at least 10 miles or so.

Tom

E92335ILAU · 12-13-2011, 07:51 PM

Battery Tender Is A Great Idea Under The Hood, Full Up Your Gas Tank And Add Stabilizer (seafoam) I Would At Least Start The Car Twice A Month So The Oil Lubes All The Parts In Your Engine, Park It On Carpet Mats So The Tires Dont Dryrot And Use Some Tire Shine On Ur Tires.

tibra1 · 12-13-2011, 08:02 PM

1) Wash & Wax
2) Cover with quality car cover
3) Inflate tires to 45 psi
4) Fill up gas tank and use Stabil fuel stabilizer
5) Battery tender (if you can) dont disconnect battery

BMWN55 · 12-13-2011, 08:23 PM

Awesome! how long to let it run every 2 months. 15 min? Should it be driven for tranny and to reduce carbon buildup? Is it bad to let it idle?

ENINTY · 12-14-2011, 06:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWN55

Awesome! how long to let it run every 2 months. 15 min? Should it be driven for tranny and to reduce carbon buildup? Is it bad to let it idle?

This is bad advice. DON'T start it every 2 months. Do what others have said. Full tank, full PSI for tires, stabilzer in the fuel (run the engine for a good 10 mintues to make sure the fuel stablizer gets to all the fuel system parts), and a battery maintainer (not a trickle charger). And then just let it sit there. You can also cap the exhaust tips and intake snout to keep critters out. And a mothball or two in the cabin and under the hood to keep critters out.

BMWN55 · 12-14-2011, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ENINTY

This is bad advice. DON'T start it every 2 months. Do what others have said. Full tank, full PSI for tires, stabilzer in the fuel (run the engine for a good 10 mintues to make sure the fuel stablizer gets to all the fuel system parts), and a battery maintainer (not a trickle charger). And then just let it sit there. You can also cap the exhaust tips and intake snout to keep critters out. And a mothball or two in the cabin and under the hood to keep critters out.

I may drive it once every 2 months if its a nice day. Can I still do so following these instructions. Or will it negate fuel stabilizer. Also what stabilized do u recommend

BMWN55 · 12-14-2011, 11:03 AM

Any other tips?

Tom K. · 12-14-2011, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWN55

I may drive it once every 2 months if its a nice day. Can I still do so following these instructions. Or will it negate fuel stabilizer. Also what stabilized do u recommend

That would be a very good idea - if you can put on at least 10 or 20 miles. I've had excellent results with StaBil stabilizer, and per Eninty's post, a Battery Tender is a maintainer, not just a trickle charger.

Also, if rodents might be an issue, you'll need to take care of that.

Tom

Glim · 12-14-2011, 02:01 PM

I am far beyond OCD: If I was storing mine I would change the oil before storage to remove most contaminants and run 40 minutes on the highway before storage to burn off any condensation and corrosives. I would also put a dehumidifier in the storage area set to 50% RH.

BMWN55 · 12-14-2011, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glim

I am far beyond OCD: If I was storing mine I would change the oil before storage to remove most contaminants and run 40 minutes on the highway before storage to burn off any condensation and corrosives. I would also put a dehumidifier in the storage area set to 50% RH.

I like your style. anything else?

ENINTY · 12-15-2011, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWN55

I may drive it once every 2 months if its a nice day. Can I still do so following these instructions. Or will it negate fuel stabilizer. Also what stabilized do u recommend

I get it, it's a BMW, but why pull it out of "storage" just to drive it for a day considering NJ probably has (dry) road salt on the roads from December thru late March. I'd not risk the salt and just leave it until Spring.

Glim · 12-15-2011, 12:55 PM

What are you using for a winter car?

Last year it snowed once here and it was the most planted and able car I have ever driven on snow.

BMWN55 · 12-15-2011, 02:41 PM

Winter storage is for the 911

BMWN55 · 12-15-2011, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ENINTY

I get it, it's a BMW, but why pull it out of "storage" just to drive it for a day considering NJ probably has (dry) road salt on the roads from December thru late March. I'd not risk the salt and just leave it until Spring.

A nice underbody wash will do the trick

ENINTY · 12-15-2011, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWN55

Winter storage is for the 911

Even more reason to let it sit all winter and avoid the salt...

12-13-2011, 04:27 PM	#1
BMWN55 Private 16 Rep 70 Posts Drives: 2011 335i Join Date: May 2011 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	What to do when storing a car for the winter? I am assuming to trickle charge the battery? start it up every couple of weeks until engine reaches operating temp? Anything else? suggestions tips. I change the oil once a year and put less than 1k miles a year. __________________
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12-13-2011, 06:46 PM	#2
Tom K. Major General 125 Rep 5,626 Posts Drives: '07 328iT, '13 Boxster Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	Battery Tender hooked up to the underhood terminals, tires at proper pressures and add a fuel stabilizer such as StaBil. I wouldn't start the car unless you will be driving it at least 10 miles or so. Tom
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12-13-2011, 07:51 PM	#3
E92335ILAU METALCRAFTER 0 Rep 46 Posts Drives: E92 335i Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: CALIFORNIA iTrader: (0) Garage List 07 BMW/335I E92 N54 [9.00]	Battery Tender Is A Great Idea Under The Hood, Full Up Your Gas Tank And Add Stabilizer (seafoam) I Would At Least Start The Car Twice A Month So The Oil Lubes All The Parts In Your Engine, Park It On Carpet Mats So The Tires Dont Dryrot And Use Some Tire Shine On Ur Tires.
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12-13-2011, 08:02 PM	#4
tibra1 Banned 132 Rep 6,773 Posts Drives: 2011 ZCP M3 - 2007 335i crashd Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: NYC iTrader: (4)	1) Wash & Wax 2) Cover with quality car cover 3) Inflate tires to 45 psi 4) Fill up gas tank and use Stabil fuel stabilizer 5) Battery tender (if you can) dont disconnect battery
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12-13-2011, 08:23 PM	#5
BMWN55 Private 16 Rep 70 Posts Drives: 2011 335i Join Date: May 2011 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	Awesome! how long to let it run every 2 months. 15 min? Should it be driven for tranny and to reduce carbon buildup? Is it bad to let it idle? __________________
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12-14-2011, 11:03 AM	#8
BMWN55 Private 16 Rep 70 Posts Drives: 2011 335i Join Date: May 2011 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	Any other tips? __________________
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12-14-2011, 02:01 PM	#10
Glim Captain 23 Rep 780 Posts Drives: 2006 330i & 2013 X5 35i Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Victoria, BC iTrader: (0)	I am far beyond OCD: If I was storing mine I would change the oil before storage to remove most contaminants and run 40 minutes on the highway before storage to burn off any condensation and corrosives. I would also put a dehumidifier in the storage area set to 50% RH.
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12-15-2011, 12:55 PM	#13
Glim Captain 23 Rep 780 Posts Drives: 2006 330i & 2013 X5 35i Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Victoria, BC iTrader: (0)	What are you using for a winter car? Last year it snowed once here and it was the most planted and able car I have ever driven on snow.
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12-15-2011, 02:41 PM	#14
BMWN55 Private 16 Rep 70 Posts Drives: 2011 335i Join Date: May 2011 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	Winter storage is for the 911 __________________
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