Battery tender/winter storage recommendations

dekaliber · 10-22-2010, 07:02 PM

I'm starting to think about winter storage for the M and would love some advice on how to do it properly. I know I should be hooking it up to a battery tender -- what's the best one to get given a reasonable budget? How does that work if you plan on covering up the car? Anything other things I should think about?

Would it be better to take the car out for an occasional 10-20 mile drive when the roads are dry and not salty, or should I just leave it in hibernation the entire time?

wasupdu · 10-22-2010, 09:27 PM

There have to be several threads on here about winter storage, but here's what I do....

The car remains parked in my heated 4.5 car garage (love it).

- Remove the battery and connect to a battery maintainer (trickle charger with auto on/off)
- wash/wax/vacuum the car
- Top off the fuel tank and put Stabil (fuel stabilizer) in
- over inflate the tires by about 5-7 psi
- put towels under the wiper blades

I always leave the e-brake disengaged and the car in reverse. I read that somewhere in the Honda s2000 forum and have no idea why I still do it, but it just seems like habit now. If you're storing the car where rodents are present, you may wanna jam something in the exhaust too. Some people like to change the oil before and after storage, but I just change it first thing in the spring when I take the car out of storage.

Bottom line, you can really go over the top when it comes to winter storage. Some people will even tell you that the car has to be parked on a tarp because condensation from the concrete can cause damage to the underbody of your car. I think if you follow the above items you should be fine.

- Cover the car

wasupdu · 10-22-2010, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dekaliber

Would it be better to take the car out for an occasional 10-20 mile drive when the roads are dry and not salty, or should I just leave it in hibernation the entire time?

I would avoid going this route. The hardest thing on the car is starting it, especially for a short trip like this. If you don't do anything else, just get a battery maintainer and put Stabil in the tank. The rest of the stuff is fairly minor.

dekaliber · 10-22-2010, 11:17 PM

Thanks for posting. I don't know why it didn't occur to me to search first.

Is this a good battery tender for our cars? Seems like unanimously good reviews. Is there a big downside to leaving it in the car connected to a tender vs. taking it out? I have some dealer-set options on the car and it would be unfortunate if I had to get that reset.
http://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tender...7806553&sr=8-2

Will also pick up Stabil and a car cover soon. Is the OE cover any good?

Good point on the ebrake. Usually I leave the ebrake disengaged and put chocks on one of the wheels if I know I'm not going to be driving for more than a week.

My garage is not heated but it's attached to the house and I've never seen it get to freezing.

What's the verdict on jacking the car up? Is it better for the suspension if you do? I'm not too concerned about the tires since I'm on the last legs with the OE Contis and will be putting on new wheels/tires next season.

CFoote · 10-28-2010, 09:46 AM

That is a great charger, I've used it on a few cars for 10+ years with no problems. Great price too!

ScottinSSMD · 10-28-2010, 10:00 AM

I always leave the battery in becuase I don't officially store it. I will drive it any time I can. With that said, I do use the same tender, however, it's the four gang one. I put the P on one, the M on the other and the third goes out to my atv that either gets used infrequently or for snow plowing. The fourth I keep the riding mower attached to. So yes, I am a firm believer in using one and always have something attached year round. Most newer cars go into sleep mode (P) and you need to pull out the key to get in when the alarm shuts down to sleep.

Hawkeye · 10-28-2010, 10:57 AM

If you leave the battery in you will not have to reset any settings like the clock which is nice. The only thing you have to worry about are the fumes from the battery cycles (which I have never found to be a problem personally).

If you use 4 small pieces of wood to pull the tires up on to you can at least get them off of the cold concrete, I use the OEM cover in my garage and it works great. The tire stuff is more important with certain tires, for example with my motorcycle the tires get flat spots and coldness hardens the tire and makes it brittle (even after warming up). That is why they have stands to get tires completely off the ground, which is the best course of action if it can be done safely (don't leave your car on stands if it could get knocked over accidentally or something)

Stabil is a good thing to do for the gasoline if leaving it more than a month or so without driving. It is in fact bad for the vehicle to just start and drive it for a mere 20 minutes if you don't plan on keeping it out for a bit.

bosstones · 10-28-2010, 11:36 AM

I've never overinflated my tires, put them up on blocks, etc... and haven't had any problems with flat sport (I have Alpin2's on while the car is storaged). Then again, I tend to still get in the car and roll it fwd or back (car in neutral & engine off) a little bit. I can't go the whole winter with not sitting in the car at least a few times.

jmillet · 10-28-2010, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dekaliber

SNIP
Is this a good battery tender for our cars? Seems like unanimously good reviews. Is there a big downside to leaving it in the car connected to a tender vs. taking it out? I have some dealer-set options on the car and it would be unfortunate if I had to get that reset.
http://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tender...7806553&sr=8-2

SNIP.

I've used the Battery Tender for several winters with good results.
If I were looking for a trickle charger now I'd go with this one:http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...5&postcount=76
CTEK Multi US 3300 12V Smart Battery Charger available from Amazon for $65.00.

mousitch · 10-28-2010, 12:53 PM

Does any one know how Pilot Sport PS2's handle flat spotting? I thought that I had read that they were to prone unlike my stock Conti's.

inTgr8r · 10-28-2010, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wasupdu

........ Some people like to change the oil before and after storage, but I just change it first thing in the spring when I take the car out of storage.

.......

^I never understood the logic of this.
I get, draining the old stuff before storing, but why new oil in the spring?
It hasn't done anything but sit in the pan.
It isn't going through heat cycles, so hygroscopy isn't an issue either.

dekaliber · 10-28-2010, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by inTgr8r

^I never understood the logic of this.
I get, draining the old stuff before storing, but why new oil in the spring?
It hasn't done anything but sit in the pan.
It isn't going through heat cycles, so hygroscopy isn't an issue either.

If you believe what's discussed here, apparently, oil thickens permanents in colder weather:

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/faq...=haas_articles

dekaliber · 10-31-2010, 09:34 AM

I bought the Battery Tender Plus. Yesterday, I was at my local dealership and I noticed they had a 7-series on the floor hooked up with a cable coming out from under the hood. It was connected to a battery tender that looked identical, except it was labeled "BMW Advanced Battery Charging System". (Similar to how Techron = BMW fuel additive)

XMetal · 10-31-2010, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dekaliber

I bought the Battery Tender Plus. Yesterday, I was at my local dealership and I noticed they had a 7-series on the floor hooked up with a cable coming out from under the hood. It was connected to a battery tender that looked identical, except it was labeled "BMW Advanced Battery Charging System". (Similar to how Techron = BMW fuel additive)

The Battery Tender Plus re-labeled unit is the older model. It looks like Porsches and others, including BMW are moving toward the re-labeled CTEK unit => http://www.bmw.com/com/en/owners/acc...ywords=charger

RBull · 10-31-2010, 12:32 PM

That was quite a diatribe on oil.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dekaliber

If you believe what's discussed here, apparently, oil thickens permanents in colder weather:

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/faq...=haas_articles

Caddyshk · 10-31-2010, 02:22 PM

- Full Tank of Gas
- Battery tender (BMW logo - if something negative happens it's worth the extra $30.00)
- No additives - BMW recommends against it?
- Change oil in the spring
- Couple of weekend runs when it's dry and cold

O-cha · 10-31-2010, 02:29 PM

Battery tenders scare the hell out of me, by nature they are meant to be left unchecked for long periods of time but too often do they break and overcharge a battery to the point of explosion.

XMetal · 10-31-2010, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O-cha

Battery tenders scare the hell out of me, by nature they are meant to be left unchecked for long periods of time but too often do they break and overcharge a battery to the point of explosion.

That why you should still consider connecting it to a weekly timer of some sort.

Caddyshk · 10-31-2010, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O-cha

Battery tenders scare the hell out of me, by nature they are meant to be left unchecked for long periods of time but too often do they break and overcharge a battery to the point of explosion.

Do you have examples of failures? First I'm hearing Battery Tenders are not reliable?

mojowkng · 02-05-2011, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caddyshk

Do you have examples of failures? First I'm hearing Battery Tenders are not reliable?

I have used Battery Tender plus on three motorcycles and one car year round for over 15 years without problems.

Hawkeye · 02-07-2011, 10:46 AM

Yeah, I have never heard of battery tenders breaking and overcharging. I use them all winter with no issues.

JFleming · 02-07-2011, 08:19 PM

Battery Tender Plus

4 0r 5 years use, no problems so far!

10-22-2010, 07:02 PM	#1
dekaliber Major 75 Rep 1,143 Posts Drives: '07 Z4MC, '11 JCW, '18 Z06 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (1)	Battery tender/winter storage recommendations I'm starting to think about winter storage for the M and would love some advice on how to do it properly. I know I should be hooking it up to a battery tender -- what's the best one to get given a reasonable budget? How does that work if you plan on covering up the car? Anything other things I should think about? Would it be better to take the car out for an occasional 10-20 mile drive when the roads are dry and not salty, or should I just leave it in hibernation the entire time?
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10-22-2010, 09:27 PM	#2
wasupdu Lieutenant 25 Rep 413 Posts Drives: Z4 3.0, CLS63 AMG Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Milwaukee, WI iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 Mercedes CLS63 ... [0.00] 2005 BMW Z4 [0.00]	There have to be several threads on here about winter storage, but here's what I do.... The car remains parked in my heated 4.5 car garage (love it). - Remove the battery and connect to a battery maintainer (trickle charger with auto on/off) - wash/wax/vacuum the car - Top off the fuel tank and put Stabil (fuel stabilizer) in - over inflate the tires by about 5-7 psi - put towels under the wiper blades I always leave the e-brake disengaged and the car in reverse. I read that somewhere in the Honda s2000 forum and have no idea why I still do it, but it just seems like habit now. If you're storing the car where rodents are present, you may wanna jam something in the exhaust too. Some people like to change the oil before and after storage, but I just change it first thing in the spring when I take the car out of storage. Bottom line, you can really go over the top when it comes to winter storage. Some people will even tell you that the car has to be parked on a tarp because condensation from the concrete can cause damage to the underbody of your car. I think if you follow the above items you should be fine. - Cover the car __________________ 2005 BMW Z4 Roadster 3.0 - Black Sapphire with Red Extended Leather / NAV / Premium & Sport Pkgs / 19" wheels / M steering wheel / Xenon 2013 Mercedes CLS63 AMG
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10-22-2010, 11:17 PM	#4
dekaliber Major 75 Rep 1,143 Posts Drives: '07 Z4MC, '11 JCW, '18 Z06 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (1)	Thanks for posting. I don't know why it didn't occur to me to search first. Is this a good battery tender for our cars? Seems like unanimously good reviews. Is there a big downside to leaving it in the car connected to a tender vs. taking it out? I have some dealer-set options on the car and it would be unfortunate if I had to get that reset. http://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tender...7806553&sr=8-2 Will also pick up Stabil and a car cover soon. Is the OE cover any good? Good point on the ebrake. Usually I leave the ebrake disengaged and put chocks on one of the wheels if I know I'm not going to be driving for more than a week. My garage is not heated but it's attached to the house and I've never seen it get to freezing. What's the verdict on jacking the car up? Is it better for the suspension if you do? I'm not too concerned about the tires since I'm on the last legs with the OE Contis and will be putting on new wheels/tires next season.
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10-28-2010, 09:46 AM	#5
CFoote Captain 180 Rep 659 Posts Drives: '22 M5CS, '00 M5, '06 Z4M Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Northeast iTrader: (1) Garage List 2022 M5CS [0.00] 2001 BMW 740i [0.00] 2006 BMW M Roadster [0.00] 2012 BMW X6 3.5i [0.00] 2006 BMW 325xi [0.00] 2017 BMW 540xi [0.00] 2000 BMW M5 [0.00] 2001 BMW X5 4.4i [0.00]	That is a great charger, I've used it on a few cars for 10+ years with no problems. Great price too! __________________ '22 M5CS, '06 Z4M, '01 X5 4.4i, '00 M5, '05 Acura RL, '12 X6 3.5, '01 740, 08 335xi, '17 540xi (yes they all are still with me)
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10-28-2010, 10:00 AM	#6
ScottinSSMD Looking for a track car 4 Rep 242 Posts Drives: 2006 325xi wagon Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Silver Spring, MD iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 325xi [0.00]	I always leave the battery in becuase I don't officially store it. I will drive it any time I can. With that said, I do use the same tender, however, it's the four gang one. I put the P on one, the M on the other and the third goes out to my atv that either gets used infrequently or for snow plowing. The fourth I keep the riding mower attached to. So yes, I am a firm believer in using one and always have something attached year round. Most newer cars go into sleep mode (P) and you need to pull out the key to get in when the alarm shuts down to sleep. __________________
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10-28-2010, 10:57 AM	#7
Hawkeye Brigadier General 2070 Rep 4,365 Posts Drives: '07 Z4 Coupe, '21 X3, '16 GMC Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Iowa iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 GMC Sierra SLT [10.00] 2008 Yamaha R6 [9.00]	If you leave the battery in you will not have to reset any settings like the clock which is nice. The only thing you have to worry about are the fumes from the battery cycles (which I have never found to be a problem personally). If you use 4 small pieces of wood to pull the tires up on to you can at least get them off of the cold concrete, I use the OEM cover in my garage and it works great. The tire stuff is more important with certain tires, for example with my motorcycle the tires get flat spots and coldness hardens the tire and makes it brittle (even after warming up). That is why they have stands to get tires completely off the ground, which is the best course of action if it can be done safely (don't leave your car on stands if it could get knocked over accidentally or something) Stabil is a good thing to do for the gasoline if leaving it more than a month or so without driving. It is in fact bad for the vehicle to just start and drive it for a mere 20 minutes if you don't plan on keeping it out for a bit. __________________ 2007 Z4 3.0si Coupe • 6 MT • Black Saphire Metallic • PP • SP 2016 GMC Sierra SLT Z71 Premium Plus 4x4 2017 Harley StreetGlide • Denim Black • V&H Tune 2021 BMW x30i • Phytonic Blue Metallic • Fully loaded
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10-28-2010, 11:36 AM	#8
bosstones Lieutenant Colonel 1154 Rep 1,543 Posts Drives: o_0 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Suburbia iTrader: (0)	I've never overinflated my tires, put them up on blocks, etc... and haven't had any problems with flat sport (I have Alpin2's on while the car is storaged). Then again, I tend to still get in the car and roll it fwd or back (car in neutral & engine off) a little bit. I can't go the whole winter with not sitting in the car at least a few times. __________________ - Jeff bosstones' flickr
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10-28-2010, 12:53 PM	#10
mousitch Dark Sider 129 Rep 1,779 Posts Drives: 2008 Space Gray Z4MC Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Missouri iTrader: (11) Garage List 2008 Z4M Coupe [7.50]	Does any one know how Pilot Sport PS2's handle flat spotting? I thought that I had read that they were to prone unlike my stock Conti's. __________________ [URL=http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/153/071jt.jpg/] 2008 Space Grey M Coupe-Euro headers-RPI Scoop-Gruppe M CAI-Eisenmann Race Cans-RE X-pipe-ECU Remap with O2 and EGT delete-H&R Sport springs-Zeck CDV delete-Stock Gloss black powder coated wheels-LED Tekarbon Angel Eyes Project-Michelin Super Sports-Hardwired Uniden R7-H&R front and rear spacers-Alarm module added-stereo amp recoded to vert spec settings
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10-31-2010, 09:34 AM	#13
dekaliber Major 75 Rep 1,143 Posts Drives: '07 Z4MC, '11 JCW, '18 Z06 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (1)	I bought the Battery Tender Plus. Yesterday, I was at my local dealership and I noticed they had a 7-series on the floor hooked up with a cable coming out from under the hood. It was connected to a battery tender that looked identical, except it was labeled "BMW Advanced Battery Charging System". (Similar to how Techron = BMW fuel additive)
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10-31-2010, 02:22 PM	#16
Caddyshk M = Midlife Crisis 65 Rep 2,006 Posts Drives: 2006 Z4MC Interlagos Join Date: May 2007 Location: Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada iTrader: (0)	- Full Tank of Gas - Battery tender (BMW logo - if something negative happens it's worth the extra $30.00) - No additives - BMW recommends against it? - Change oil in the spring - Couple of weekend runs when it's dry and cold __________________ 2006 Z4MC - #LL93158 SS Race Cans, RE X Pipe, DKF Sec 1, Fabspeed Headers, OE STB, AS Shifter, Dave Z CDV, GC Coil Overs, Stoptech lines, Hawk DTC Pads, RE Clutch Stop, RE Transmission Mounts, Vibra-Technics Engine Mounts, Poly FCAB & RTAB, LeatherZ M Shift Boot, Tekarbon Rear Spoiler, CF Grills, Advan RS DGM
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10-31-2010, 02:29 PM	#17
O-cha Brigadier General 218 Rep 4,726 Posts Drives: Mcoupe Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: In front of you iTrader: (2)	Battery tenders scare the hell out of me, by nature they are meant to be left unchecked for long periods of time but too often do they break and overcharge a battery to the point of explosion. __________________
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02-07-2011, 10:46 AM	#21
Hawkeye Brigadier General 2070 Rep 4,365 Posts Drives: '07 Z4 Coupe, '21 X3, '16 GMC Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Iowa iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 GMC Sierra SLT [10.00] 2008 Yamaha R6 [9.00]	Yeah, I have never heard of battery tenders breaking and overcharging. I use them all winter with no issues. __________________ 2007 Z4 3.0si Coupe • 6 MT • Black Saphire Metallic • PP • SP 2016 GMC Sierra SLT Z71 Premium Plus 4x4 2017 Harley StreetGlide • Denim Black • V&H Tune 2021 BMW x30i • Phytonic Blue Metallic • Fully loaded
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02-07-2011, 08:19 PM	#22
JFleming Private 9 Rep 51 Posts Drives: '10 328i xdrive, '07 Z4 3.0si Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Cleveland OH iTrader: (0)	Battery Tender Plus Battery Tender Plus 4 0r 5 years use, no problems so far!
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