Winter Storage

heart_doctor · 07-06-2011, 08:24 PM

I just purchased a 2011 E92 M3, I live in upstate new york and I want to store the car for winter. What does everyone do? I was planning on:

1. Battery Tender - I heard the cigarette lighter is an active switch and you can plug the BMW tender into it and it will keep the battery charged. Any thoughts?

2. Gas Preserver

3. Change oil before storage

4. Keep in neutral with parking break off - I have 6MT, will stabilize with blocks to prevent roll. Any problem keeping it in gear?

5. Will not start the car - Nobody gave a reason but multiple threads talk about not starting the car. Any thought?

Thanks!

FVM3 · 07-06-2011, 08:33 PM

why dont you drive it in winter? just get some winter tires

mdosu · 07-06-2011, 08:51 PM

full tank of gas, but I would just slap on some winter tires and drive it.

rabman5 · 07-06-2011, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heart_doctor

1. Battery Tender - I heard the cigarette lighter is an active switch and you can plug the BMW tender into it and it will keep the battery charged. Any thoughts?

I don't drive mine in the winter either. Yes, with snow tires you could drive it, but I prefer not to and I have a nice winter vehicle anyway.

Get the BMW battery tender from your dealer. Works great. Whatever you do, the battery tender is a must.

heart_doctor · 07-06-2011, 09:38 PM

I have a decent winter car, the winters up here are brutal, I take back roads to work, need a good all wheel drive vehicle.

-=Hot|Ice=- · 07-06-2011, 09:41 PM

The reason you don't want to start your car is because you will mix the condensation in the oil and make it basically look like a milkshake, making your have to change your oil sooner. When then engine gets up to proper temp, the condensation is burned off instead of mixed.

SchnellM3 · 07-06-2011, 09:53 PM

In addition to what you have listed, I do a full detail before she go into hibernation. I also fill the tires up to max allowable pressue and put them in some nifty little wheel things from bav autosport to keep the tires from flat spotting.

BobsM3Coupe · 07-07-2011, 01:53 AM

I don't believe the cigarette lighter has power once the ignition is turned off. Best bet is to hook the battery tender to the jump start terminals under the hood.

mC.NaMMeR · 09-23-2011, 12:28 AM

So I'm going to be storing my car too for the winter and this is going to be my first winter with the M. I know the battery has to be maintained with a tender but do I leave it connected for the whole winter? I feel uneasy leaving it hooked up for months with the hood down. I live in Winnipeg and the winters get like -40 over here, the cars going to be under a cover in a garage. Any advice anyone?

1sikbmr · 09-23-2011, 12:56 AM

what I do for winter is drive it

MysticBlue · 09-23-2011, 02:57 AM

Battery tender, full tank of gas and pump the tires up to max pressure. That's all do. It's been several cars over the course of the last dozen years and I've not had any problems. The MT's I just left them in gear. And no I did not start them unless I was actually going to drive them. And I didn't really worry about the oil change. I keep that changed every 5k anyway. Not worried about the timing as far as winter.

bobbyd1961 · 09-23-2011, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by christopherchenm

why dont you drive it in winter? just get some winter tires

i have winter tires put on around december 1st. car is great in snow too

Kyoshi71 · 09-23-2011, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heart_doctor

I just purchased a 2011 E92 M3, I live in upstate new york and I want to store the car for winter. What does everyone do? I was planning on:

1. Battery Tender - I heard the cigarette lighter is an active switch and you can plug the BMW tender into it and it will keep the battery charged. Any thoughts?

2. Gas Preserver

3. Change oil before storage

4. Keep in neutral with parking break off - I have 6MT, will stabilize with blocks to prevent roll. Any problem keeping it in gear?

5. Will not start the car - Nobody gave a reason but multiple threads talk about not starting the car. Any thought?

Thanks!

1) Battery tender is the way to go but I dont believe you can plug it into the lighter. Definitely go under the hood (which is so easy, by the way)

2) Everything else is overkill, especially the no-start thing. Its only a few months, not years. It's not like your storing it in a barn for 50 years for Wayne Carini to find it and auction off at Pebble Beach

Mr. ///M3 RD · 09-23-2011, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heart_doctor

I just purchased a 2011 E92 M3, I live in upstate new york and I want to store the car for winter. What does everyone do? I was planning on:

1. Battery Tender - I heard the cigarette lighter is an active switch and you can plug the BMW tender into it and it will keep the battery charged. Any thoughts?

2. Gas Preserver

3. Change oil before storage

4. Keep in neutral with parking break off - I have 6MT, will stabilize with blocks to prevent roll. Any problem keeping it in gear?

5. Will not start the car - Nobody gave a reason but multiple threads talk about not starting the car. Any thought?

Thanks!

I only change over to my winter wheel/Michelin Ice winter tire set and keep an eye on the weather. When the roads are nice and dry I'll take my babe for a spin. I could never ever condemn my M3 for a 6 months sentence in the garage.

Templar · 09-23-2011, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1sikbmr

what I do for winter is drive it

Something tells me the winters in NY don't quite compare to those in Winnipeg.....

midwest 340xi 6sp · 09-27-2011, 03:34 PM

just bumping this up for those of us who will be storing their vehicles during the ice and snow months.

I stored my E46 M3 with battery tender and max tire pressure and was good to go.

And btw, I was able to use the tender via the lighter and did not need to go under hood..

tjsabec · 09-27-2011, 06:13 PM

I am going to drive my M3 sparingly once winter arrives. (I'll take it out when the roads are dry to avoid salt is my current plan) I figure I should get a battery tender to be on the safe side. I did some searching and it looks like I want a BMW Advanced Battery Charging System.

Here it is on Amazon for $70:

http://www.amazon.com/BMW-Advanced-B.../dp/B0016BRA3M

The Amazon review says that "BMW deactivates the cigarette lighter on recent BMW models."

After searching the forums I found: "All e9x vehicles are equipped with an Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS) on the negative terminal which turns off (as commanded by the DME) within 1-2 hours after engine shutdown.

If you do use the trickle charger, make sure it is directly on the battery terminals (in the trunk) rather than underneath the hood."

Mr. ///M3 RD · 09-27-2011, 06:40 PM

When I stored my Z4 30is e85 for the winter months my SA recommended to A) disconnect the battery and B) add 10% over recommended air pressure to the tires.

I did exactly that and all worked out well ... no problems at all.

With my e89 Z4 35i I did the same, only I took the car out a few times during the winter months when the roads were dry.

MysticBlue · 09-27-2011, 06:43 PM

I don't think that is what they are talking about. It makes no sense: How would you jump start the car if the negative terminal was disconnected? That's what it's there for. I have never had the under-hood terminals not work for me.

mC.NaMMeR · 10-05-2011, 10:41 PM

Am I able to take out the battery and bring it in during the winter and just put it on the charger now and then? I'm a noob when it comes to BMW's cuz I drove a Honda all my life hahah. For my motorcycle I would just bring the battery inside for the winter and charge it like once a mth but the BMW salesguy said to never connect anything directly to the batt and only use the terminals underneath the hood, is this true??

M3er · 10-05-2011, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdosu

full tank of gas, but I would just slap on some winter tires and drive it.

yeah but all that salttttt

I just don't wana imagine it just about the idea of getting salt on every corner under the car...

well i know most parts aluminum and you guys should do under wash but....i don know

I'd prefer it to be a garage queen

DDS2015 · 10-05-2011, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mC.NaMMeR

Am I able to take out the battery and bring it in during the winter and just put it on the charger now and then? I'm a noob when it comes to BMW's cuz I drove a Honda all my life hahah. For my motorcycle I would just bring the battery inside for the winter and charge it like once a mth but the BMW salesguy said to never connect anything directly to the batt and only use the terminals underneath the hood, is this true??

To the best of my knowledge this is true. Also, the tenders that birchwood installs are very good. Plug that in all winter and it will be fine. When the battery is fully charged the tender will turn itself off and turn itself back on when the battery gets low again.

Totally understand you not wanting to drive it through the winter. A lot of people don't really get how brutal it can get up here. You really need AWD. Also you have to take off part of the intake otherwise condensation can build around the O2 sensor and cause an engine light to go off, for winter driving in Winnipeg there are just as many things that you need to to as store it.

07-06-2011, 08:24 PM	#1
heart_doctor Lieutenant 320 Rep 581 Posts Drives: 2017 M2 Join Date: May 2011 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Winter Storage I just purchased a 2011 E92 M3, I live in upstate new york and I want to store the car for winter. What does everyone do? I was planning on: 1. Battery Tender - I heard the cigarette lighter is an active switch and you can plug the BMW tender into it and it will keep the battery charged. Any thoughts? 2. Gas Preserver 3. Change oil before storage 4. Keep in neutral with parking break off - I have 6MT, will stabilize with blocks to prevent roll. Any problem keeping it in gear? 5. Will not start the car - Nobody gave a reason but multiple threads talk about not starting the car. Any thought? Thanks! __________________
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07-06-2011, 08:33 PM	#2
FVM3 Major General 273 Rep 5,751 Posts Drives: e92 m3, f30 328i Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (2)	why dont you drive it in winter? just get some winter tires
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07-06-2011, 08:51 PM	#3
mdosu Banned 314 Rep 8,496 Posts Drives: Double Vanos'd Civic-M3 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (6)	full tank of gas, but I would just slap on some winter tires and drive it.
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07-06-2011, 09:38 PM	#5
heart_doctor Lieutenant 320 Rep 581 Posts Drives: 2017 M2 Join Date: May 2011 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	I have a decent winter car, the winters up here are brutal, I take back roads to work, need a good all wheel drive vehicle. __________________
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07-06-2011, 09:53 PM	#7
SchnellM3 Digger 205 Rep 2,619 Posts Drives: 03 E46 M3 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Pa iTrader: (5) Garage List 2003 BMW E46 M3 Tra ... [8.00] 2009 BMW E92 M3 [8.30] 2009 Yamaha R1 (FOR ... [9.50]	In addition to what you have listed, I do a full detail before she go into hibernation. I also fill the tires up to max allowable pressue and put them in some nifty little wheel things from bav autosport to keep the tires from flat spotting. __________________ 2009 E92 M3 /// Melbourne Red /// Fox Red /// M DKG Full Innotech Exhaust - DINAN Intake - IND Engine Bay Appearance - IND Hand Stitched Boot Covers - and much more....
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07-07-2011, 01:53 AM	#8
BobsM3Coupe Brigadier General 1447 Rep 3,919 Posts Drives: X5MC Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: California iTrader: (4)	I don't believe the cigarette lighter has power once the ignition is turned off. Best bet is to hook the battery tender to the jump start terminals under the hood.
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09-23-2011, 12:28 AM	#9
mC.NaMMeR Enlisted Member 4 Rep 36 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba iTrader: (0)	So I'm going to be storing my car too for the winter and this is going to be my first winter with the M. I know the battery has to be maintained with a tender but do I leave it connected for the whole winter? I feel uneasy leaving it hooked up for months with the hood down. I live in Winnipeg and the winters get like -40 over here, the cars going to be under a cover in a garage. Any advice anyone?
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09-23-2011, 12:56 AM	#10
1sikbmr Brigadier General 145 Rep 3,329 Posts Drives: F80 M3 6MT Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: New York iTrader: (16)	what I do for winter is drive it __________________ F80 ///M3 6MT Avus Blue ZCP
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09-23-2011, 02:57 AM	#11
MysticBlue Lieutenant Colonel 369 Rep 1,887 Posts Drives: '20 M5C, '09 M3 DCT Coupe Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Eastern Oregon... They call 'em rigs here iTrader: (0)	Battery tender, full tank of gas and pump the tires up to max pressure. That's all do. It's been several cars over the course of the last dozen years and I've not had any problems. The MT's I just left them in gear. And no I did not start them unless I was actually going to drive them. And I didn't really worry about the oil change. I keep that changed every 5k anyway. Not worried about the timing as far as winter.
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09-27-2011, 03:34 PM	#16
midwest 340xi 6sp Lieutenant Colonel 359 Rep 1,797 Posts Drives: 2018 340xi Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Great Midwest iTrader: (6)	just bumping this up for those of us who will be storing their vehicles during the ice and snow months. I stored my E46 M3 with battery tender and max tire pressure and was good to go. And btw, I was able to use the tender via the lighter and did not need to go under hood.. __________________ Previous Rides: 535xi, M235xi, X3, E92 M3, E70 X5 35d, X6 50i, X6 35i, E60 550i, E46 M3 Cabriolet, E39 540i, E36 328i
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09-27-2011, 06:13 PM	#17
tjsabec Captain 53 Rep 620 Posts Drives: 2008, e90, alpine white, 6mt Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Morgantown, wv iTrader: (2)	I am going to drive my M3 sparingly once winter arrives. (I'll take it out when the roads are dry to avoid salt is my current plan) I figure I should get a battery tender to be on the safe side. I did some searching and it looks like I want a BMW Advanced Battery Charging System. Here it is on Amazon for $70: http://www.amazon.com/BMW-Advanced-B.../dp/B0016BRA3M The Amazon review says that "BMW deactivates the cigarette lighter on recent BMW models." After searching the forums I found: "All e9x vehicles are equipped with an Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS) on the negative terminal which turns off (as commanded by the DME) within 1-2 hours after engine shutdown. If you do use the trickle charger, make sure it is directly on the battery terminals (in the trunk) rather than underneath the hood." Last edited by tjsabec; 09-27-2011 at 06:26 PM.. Reason: Found answer to my own question
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09-27-2011, 06:40 PM	#18
Mr. ///M3 RD Happy Camper 612 Rep 7,869 Posts Drives: C63 AMG & 280 SL on Weekends : Join Date: May 2010 Location: GTA, Ontario - Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 1969 Restored Merce ... [7.50] 2011 M3 Coupe TRADED [7.34] 1987 BMW 535is [1.00] Cars from the Past [6.50] The ///M3 Engine S65 [9.59]	When I stored my Z4 30is e85 for the winter months my SA recommended to A) disconnect the battery and B) add 10% over recommended air pressure to the tires. I did exactly that and all worked out well ... no problems at all. With my e89 Z4 35i I did the same, only I took the car out a few times during the winter months when the roads were dry. __________________ Cheers, Rolf-Dieter Life will take us to some interesting places, fortunately The ///M3 will too with a many of us know this very well, now my C6.3 AMG with 487 HP does it too ---> Click here for some good stuff I found
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09-27-2011, 06:43 PM	#19
MysticBlue Lieutenant Colonel 369 Rep 1,887 Posts Drives: '20 M5C, '09 M3 DCT Coupe Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Eastern Oregon... They call 'em rigs here iTrader: (0)	I don't think that is what they are talking about. It makes no sense: How would you jump start the car if the negative terminal was disconnected? That's what it's there for. I have never had the under-hood terminals not work for me.
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10-05-2011, 10:41 PM	#20
mC.NaMMeR Enlisted Member 4 Rep 36 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba iTrader: (0)	Am I able to take out the battery and bring it in during the winter and just put it on the charger now and then? I'm a noob when it comes to BMW's cuz I drove a Honda all my life hahah. For my motorcycle I would just bring the battery inside for the winter and charge it like once a mth but the BMW salesguy said to never connect anything directly to the batt and only use the terminals underneath the hood, is this true??
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