Winter Storage

xander_g · 11-22-2016, 11:00 AM

So it looks like the season when some of us put our cars in hibernation mode has finally arrived (unfortunately).

Everyone seems to have a different opinion on whether to use jackstands, tire inflation, etc. What is everyone's preferred storage method?

What's your plan for the winter?

Evolve Automotive · 11-22-2016, 11:09 AM

I've read mixed thoughts on this. I have read that putting the car on jacks and the dangling of the suspension is not good for the bushings and suspension.

I however just overinflate the tires, put fuel stabilizer and hook up the battery to a tender.

Millie · 11-22-2016, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evolve-US

I've read mixed thoughts on this. I have read that putting the car on jacks and the dangling of the suspension is not good for the bushings and suspension.

I however just overinflate the tires, put fuel stabilizer and hook up the battery to a tender.

This.

I stored mine outside a few years ago but removed the battery and put it on a tender inside. You can also put a car cover on if you prefer.

Big note, don't forget to fold down your rear seat so you can gain access to the manual trunk release from the inside.

Chris_08_M3 · 11-22-2016, 12:28 PM

I'm going to wash interior and exterior, top up fluids, over inflate tires, put on tender and add fuel stabilizer. I hope to get her back on the road by the end of February...so sad.

I was thinking about storing the car this weekend but now thinking putting on winter tires to go another month or two until it really starts snowing.

Rat3d ///M · 11-22-2016, 12:46 PM

My routine:

1. Wash/dry exterior of car thoroughly. Take it for a nice long drive to make sure there is no water sitting in the rotors/calipers or anywhere else on the car. I usually take this time to get a last spirited drive out of my system, and to take care of #2..

2. Fill up gas tank, and put in Stabil. Drive car home (at least 10 miles).

3. Park car in garage, with all 4 tires on carpeted mats. Inflate tires to at least 40psi, leave e brake off.

4. Give exterior of car one last dry to get rid of water spots and any left over water that appeared during your drive. Go to town detailing the car (under hood, interior, trunk, door jams, etc.) I use a ton of dressings on the engine bay, interior panels, tires, clean my wheels, vacuum, clean/condition all the leather, etc.

5. Place car on CTEK, hooked up directly under the hood

6. Change oil

7. Leave doors locked, and cover car with car cover

Thats it. In the spring, uncover the car, unplug the CTEK, hop in, start it up, let it idle for a few minutes, and take it for a nice easy drive until at operating temperature, then enjoy as usual.

Chris_08_M3 · 11-22-2016, 02:05 PM

Do you change oil again in the spring?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rat3d ///M

My routine:

1. Wash/dry exterior of car thoroughly. Take it for a nice long drive to make sure there is no water sitting in the rotors/calipers or anywhere else on the car. I usually take this time to get a last spirited drive out of my system, and to take care of #2..

2. Fill up gas tank, and put in Stabil. Drive car home (at least 10 miles).

3. Park car in garage, with all 4 tires on carpeted mats. Inflate tires to at least 40psi, leave e brake off.

4. Give exterior of car one last dry to get rid of water spots and any left over water that appeared during your drive. Go to town detailing the car (under hood, interior, trunk, door jams, etc.) I use a ton of dressings on the engine bay, interior panels, tires, clean my wheels, vacuum, clean/condition all the leather, etc.

5. Place car on CTEK, hooked up directly under the hood

6. Change oil

7. Leave doors locked, and cover car with car cover

Thats it. In the spring, uncover the car, unplug the CTEK, hop in, start it up, let it idle for a few minutes, and take it for a nice easy drive until at operating temperature, then enjoy as usual.

Changm3 · 11-22-2016, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris_08_M3

I'm going to wash interior and exterior, top up fluids, over inflate tires, put on tender and add fuel stabilizer. I hope to get her back on the road by the end of February...so sad.

I was thinking about storing the car this weekend but now thinking putting on winter tires to go another month or two until it really starts snowing.

Haha Chris we would be lucky to get a nice day in February, if we do get sunshine by then

but i'm expecting the car to be stored until end of march

doogee · 11-22-2016, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evolve-US

I have read that putting the car on jacks and the dangling of the suspension is not good for the bushings and suspension.

Yeah this is a big no no.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris_08_M3

Do you change oil again in the spring?

No, oil does not go bad from sitting.

I just disconnect my battery and park it clean!

Rat3d ///M · 11-22-2016, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris_08_M3

Do you change oil again in the spring?

Nope..no need but once a year (or every 7500 miles, whichever comes first). If you are going to do it once a year, I certainly recommend it before winter storage. Having the contaminants sitting at the bottom of the pan stagnant all winter isn't good.

xander_g · 11-23-2016, 10:24 AM

Which CTEK model do you recommend?

Rat3d ///M · 11-23-2016, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xander_g

Which CTEK model do you recommend?

I believe mine is the MXS 5.0 but mine is the 220v European version. If I remember correctly the 7002 is the US equivalent. Could be wrong on that. it's been awhile since I bought it.

6ixSpd · 11-23-2016, 10:55 PM

Just FYI, this battery tender from CDN Tire is 50% off for Black Friday sales as of tomorrow:

http://canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/motoma...-0111518p.html.

I have two and they work flawlessly

Changm3 · 11-24-2016, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the6M3

Just FYI, this battery tender from CDN Tire is 50% off for Black Friday sales as of tomorrow:

http://canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/motoma...-0111518p.html.

I have two and they work flawlessly

Thanks for the suggestion, just picked one up tonight!

xander_g · 11-25-2016, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the6M3

Just FYI, this battery tender from CDN Tire is 50% off for Black Friday sales as of tomorrow:

http://canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/motoma...-0111518p.html.

I have two and they work flawlessly

Great, gonna go buy one after I leave the office.
Thanks.

dlaw · 12-15-2016, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Millie

This.

I stored mine outside a few years ago but removed the battery and put it on a tender inside. You can also put a car cover on if you prefer.

Big note, don't forget to fold down your rear seat so you can gain access to the manual trunk release from the inside.

Did you have any issues after removing the battery from the car in for months?

I haven't been able to figure out if it's fact or myth that removing the battery from the car for long periods of time may be bad for the car.

I live in a condo so plugging it into a battery tender in the underground parking isn't an option.

///M Power-Belgium · 12-15-2016, 05:22 PM

Every year she is 3-4 months on my CTEK ,stored in my garage with a full tank .
And fire her up .. I never had a problem .

6ixSpd · 12-15-2016, 06:00 PM

There is absolutely no reason to start it periodically if it is not being driven.

Millie · 12-15-2016, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dlaw

Did you have any issues after removing the battery from the car in for months?

I haven't been able to figure out if it's fact or myth that removing the battery from the car for long periods of time may be bad for the car.

I live in a condo so plugging it into a battery tender in the underground parking isn't an option.

Nope zero issues at all. It fired up like it did any other summer morning. Taking the battery out just puts it into hibernation mode.

Bill N · 12-20-2016, 10:33 AM

The only other considerations might be:
1) top up with ethanol-free gas; and
2) I put moth crystals around the car, as well as distributing bounce fabric softener sheets under the hood and inside the car. Apparently, both discourage mice, which are a possibility in my garage.

Thik · 12-20-2016, 11:49 AM

Just drive the M3 year round and you won't have any of these worries. The car drives fine in the snow.

Changm3 · 01-18-2017, 11:44 AM

For those that do store your car in the winter months. Here in Ontario there is a way for us to pay for a cheaper sticker. As long as we "unplate" the car/store it and also if we can prove that it is used only for the summer. They say anything that states your insurance coverage ends for a certain period of time. There is a procedure that can save us a couple bucks.

xander_g · 01-20-2017, 10:14 AM

The weather has been really forgiving this season. I have taken my e92 out a few times when the roads were dry for a couple of hours prior to washing it and putting it back in the garage.

Has anyone taken their cars out at all or does everyone have stronger willpower that I do?

11-22-2016, 11:00 AM	#1
xander_g Major 994 Rep 1,126 Posts Drives: G30 M550i Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Toronto iTrader: (2) Garage List 2018 BMW M550i Xdrive [0.00]	Winter Storage So it looks like the season when some of us put our cars in hibernation mode has finally arrived (unfortunately). Everyone seems to have a different opinion on whether to use jackstands, tire inflation, etc. What is everyone's preferred storage method? What's your plan for the winter?
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11-22-2016, 12:28 PM	#4
Chris_08_M3 Private First Class 32 Rep 101 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 E92 Jerez Black Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	I'm going to wash interior and exterior, top up fluids, over inflate tires, put on tender and add fuel stabilizer. I hope to get her back on the road by the end of February...so sad. I was thinking about storing the car this weekend but now thinking putting on winter tires to go another month or two until it really starts snowing.
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11-22-2016, 12:46 PM	#5
Rat3d ///M 997.1TT 1003 Rep 1,672 Posts Drives: 2007 Porsche 911 Turbo Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Germany iTrader: (1)	My routine: 1. Wash/dry exterior of car thoroughly. Take it for a nice long drive to make sure there is no water sitting in the rotors/calipers or anywhere else on the car. I usually take this time to get a last spirited drive out of my system, and to take care of #2.. 2. Fill up gas tank, and put in Stabil. Drive car home (at least 10 miles). 3. Park car in garage, with all 4 tires on carpeted mats. Inflate tires to at least 40psi, leave e brake off. 4. Give exterior of car one last dry to get rid of water spots and any left over water that appeared during your drive. Go to town detailing the car (under hood, interior, trunk, door jams, etc.) I use a ton of dressings on the engine bay, interior panels, tires, clean my wheels, vacuum, clean/condition all the leather, etc. 5. Place car on CTEK, hooked up directly under the hood 6. Change oil 7. Leave doors locked, and cover car with car cover Thats it. In the spring, uncover the car, unplug the CTEK, hop in, start it up, let it idle for a few minutes, and take it for a nice easy drive until at operating temperature, then enjoy as usual. __________________ Current: 2007 Porsche 911 Turbo Former: ESS Supercharged ///M3 Interlagos Blue ZCP Subscribe to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Rat3dM Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rat3d_m/
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11-23-2016, 10:24 AM	#10
xander_g Major 994 Rep 1,126 Posts Drives: G30 M550i Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Toronto iTrader: (2) Garage List 2018 BMW M550i Xdrive [0.00]	Which CTEK model do you recommend?
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11-23-2016, 10:55 PM	#12
6ixSpd Save the manuals! 6015 Rep 6,745 Posts Drives: '16 M3, '23 718 Spyder Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: 416 iTrader: (4)	Just FYI, this battery tender from CDN Tire is 50% off for Black Friday sales as of tomorrow: http://canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/motoma...-0111518p.html. I have two and they work flawlessly __________________ '16 M3 \| '23 718 Spyder Past: E92 M3, F87 M2, E39 M5, etc
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11-22-2016, 11:09 AM	#2
Evolve Automotive BimmerPost Supporting Vendor 118 Rep 691 Posts Drives: E46 M3 . E90 M3 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	I've read mixed thoughts on this. I have read that putting the car on jacks and the dangling of the suspension is not good for the bushings and suspension. I however just overinflate the tires, put fuel stabilizer and hook up the battery to a tender.
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12-15-2016, 05:22 PM	#16
///M Power-Belgium General 63325 Rep 24,657 Posts Drives: ///M3-E92-DCT Silverstone II Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Belgium iTrader: (0)	Every year she is 3-4 months on my CTEK ,stored in my garage with a full tank . And fire her up .. I never had a problem . __________________ "MAX VERSTAPPEN" IS THE 2021+2022+2023 F1 WORLD CHAMPION - #UnLeashTheLion BPM DEV-Tune & DCT Software-Tune & Servotronic & coding ///Alpine HID Angeleyes ///Oem.exhaust mod.
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12-15-2016, 06:00 PM	#17
6ixSpd Save the manuals! 6015 Rep 6,745 Posts Drives: '16 M3, '23 718 Spyder Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: 416 iTrader: (4)	There is absolutely no reason to start it periodically if it is not being driven. __________________ '16 M3 \| '23 718 Spyder Past: E92 M3, F87 M2, E39 M5, etc
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12-20-2016, 10:33 AM	#19
Bill N New Member 1 Rep 23 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: London, ON iTrader: (0)	The only other considerations might be: 1) top up with ethanol-free gas; and 2) I put moth crystals around the car, as well as distributing bounce fabric softener sheets under the hood and inside the car. Apparently, both discourage mice, which are a possibility in my garage.
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12-20-2016, 11:49 AM	#20
Thik First Lieutenant 141 Rep 371 Posts Drives: 2010 Space Grey E92 M3 6spd Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	Just drive the M3 year round and you won't have any of these worries. The car drives fine in the snow. __________________ Check out my YouTube channel chronicling all the driving fun in my E92 M3!
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01-18-2017, 11:44 AM	#21
Changm3 Private 36 Rep 89 Posts Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	For those that do store your car in the winter months. Here in Ontario there is a way for us to pay for a cheaper sticker. As long as we "unplate" the car/store it and also if we can prove that it is used only for the summer. They say anything that states your insurance coverage ends for a certain period of time. There is a procedure that can save us a couple bucks.
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01-20-2017, 10:14 AM	#22
xander_g Major 994 Rep 1,126 Posts Drives: G30 M550i Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Toronto iTrader: (2) Garage List 2018 BMW M550i Xdrive [0.00]	The weather has been really forgiving this season. I have taken my e92 out a few times when the roads were dry for a couple of hours prior to washing it and putting it back in the garage. Has anyone taken their cars out at all or does everyone have stronger willpower that I do?
	Appreciate 0 Quote