Storing my car

Aries326 · 09-08-2011, 07:38 PM

I'll be storing my car for the winter despite only having had the opportunity to drive it around for about a dozen times since I bought it 3 weeks ago. How do you guys store your car? Do you go as far as following this procedure?

http://www.techguys.ca/howto/winter.html

Thanks!

Henry

ANUSTART · 09-08-2011, 07:54 PM

I do some of that to my motorcycle. Battery on tender, fuel stabilizer, change oil, wash, wax, put a bit of oil in the cylinders... That list seems quite complete, but a bit excessive. I have to admit, wrapping the bottom of the car was kind of funny, but I suppose there is function. I'd only go to this extent if I were storing it for more than the winter.

jrich4411 · 09-08-2011, 08:08 PM

damn good question and info you need to know but you have 8-10 weeks before you need to put her in storage! Have lots of fun & use her to the fullest between now and then.;

zkeeper · 09-08-2011, 08:22 PM

Well that post reference was a BIT over the top...but thorough I must say. I also am putting mine up mid-november, and here are a couple of extras.

The cleaning out and in is spot on. Floor as well. I use the Flat-stoppers tho, which while a bit pricey keeps my F-1s from flatspotting. It is not necessary really, but did it. That was because of my time in China...leaving it behind for so long. This winter, it will be driven out and about on dry clear days.

Battery tender is a wonderful investment--peace of mind really....do not wish batteries to run down. The garage will be dry but may have some traffic around it...so I will pad/blanket the 4 corners, and over window-down-the-door, THEN cover it all with a good thick cover--which all together just keeps someone from dinging it. It is a good time for oil change...run good and hot and then put away also is a consideration. AND if you do start it at all in winter, don't just start and let it idle or run around the block or so and then shut it down. If you start it, get it out to fully heat all systems, thus keeping condensation down from a short start up; also hard on battery system..good luck with it...but you have some days before cold sets in??? Enjoy it...

Aries326 · 09-08-2011, 11:02 PM

Dont get me wrong, I still plan on driving it around on the dry days until November. Still, the way the weather has been going, I wouldn't be surprised if I only got it out only a dozen more times.

Is the OEM cover good enough? Is changing all the fluids overkill or standard practice?

My uncle mentioned getting zeibart undercoating. Any thoughts on that as well?

ANUSTART · 09-09-2011, 09:18 AM

For the winter, oil is the only fluid necessary in my opinion. Do all other fluids as you would as normal maintenance.

If you plan to drive your car through the winter, the coating is possibly a good idea. If you wash the car and leave it in the garage it's not necessary. I drive mine year round in Chicago and just wash down the undercarriage every week or two. So far there really isn't much of any rust.

zkeeper · 09-09-2011, 11:41 AM

Hogzilla has it -- concur on the oil issue, all other fluids as normal. It's only stored for a few weeks really. The undercoating is for me a bit over the top, as I do not personally like the stuff everywhere under there...cannot keep it really clean..on other hand, it does protect, but if you are not in salt etc, then its all a preference. Had a Brit car done years ago, and I don't thing it lasted any longer--hey they rust from inside out anyway, and you canNOT keep all moisture from getting inside.
The OEM cover would be fine, if it has enough padding to protect in the environment you'll have. Not sure of that..and have not really looked at one in detail--might be fine. I just popped for a heavy duty padded version, and got it from Griots...it is heavy, and does what I need. Have had other lighter versions I would not have wished for my situaton here. Just look at one if you can before buying.

Silververtu · 09-09-2011, 01:00 PM

Do you disconnect the battery from the car for storage? I heard mix answers as some electroncis will be reset if the battery is disconnected for certain period.

ANUSTART · 09-09-2011, 03:40 PM

Just connect the Tender to the battery in the car. I did that and had no issues. I used an extension cord and rested the Tender in the trunk. You would use the alligator clips to connect positive and negative.

09-08-2011, 07:38 PM	#1
Aries326 Lieutenant Colonel 195 Rep 1,530 Posts Drives: 2008 Z4 3.0si, 2013 E92 M3 ZCP Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: NC iTrader: (2) Garage List 2013 E92 M3 [0.00] 2008 BMW Z4 3.0si [9.00]	Storing my car I'll be storing my car for the winter despite only having had the opportunity to drive it around for about a dozen times since I bought it 3 weeks ago. How do you guys store your car? Do you go as far as following this procedure? http://www.techguys.ca/howto/winter.html Thanks! Henry __________________ Last edited by Aries326; 09-08-2011 at 10:54 PM..
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09-08-2011, 07:54 PM	#2
ANUSTART Captain 35 Rep 956 Posts Drives: Z4 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: IL iTrader: (0)	I do some of that to my motorcycle. Battery on tender, fuel stabilizer, change oil, wash, wax, put a bit of oil in the cylinders... That list seems quite complete, but a bit excessive. I have to admit, wrapping the bottom of the car was kind of funny, but I suppose there is function. I'd only go to this extent if I were storing it for more than the winter.
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09-08-2011, 08:08 PM	#3
jrich4411 Private First Class 5 Rep 165 Posts Drives: 2006 ///M black on black Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	damn good question and info you need to know but you have 8-10 weeks before you need to put her in storage! Have lots of fun & use her to the fullest between now and then.;
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09-08-2011, 08:22 PM	#4
zkeeper Captain 208 Rep 602 Posts Drives: 2017 M2 & 08 Z4 si Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: BimmerHaven iTrader: (0)	Well that post reference was a BIT over the top...but thorough I must say. I also am putting mine up mid-november, and here are a couple of extras. The cleaning out and in is spot on. Floor as well. I use the Flat-stoppers tho, which while a bit pricey keeps my F-1s from flatspotting. It is not necessary really, but did it. That was because of my time in China...leaving it behind for so long. This winter, it will be driven out and about on dry clear days. Battery tender is a wonderful investment--peace of mind really....do not wish batteries to run down. The garage will be dry but may have some traffic around it...so I will pad/blanket the 4 corners, and over window-down-the-door, THEN cover it all with a good thick cover--which all together just keeps someone from dinging it. It is a good time for oil change...run good and hot and then put away also is a consideration. AND if you do start it at all in winter, don't just start and let it idle or run around the block or so and then shut it down. If you start it, get it out to fully heat all systems, thus keeping condensation down from a short start up; also hard on battery system..good luck with it...but you have some days before cold sets in??? Enjoy it...
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09-08-2011, 11:02 PM	#5
Aries326 Lieutenant Colonel 195 Rep 1,530 Posts Drives: 2008 Z4 3.0si, 2013 E92 M3 ZCP Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: NC iTrader: (2) Garage List 2013 E92 M3 [0.00] 2008 BMW Z4 3.0si [9.00]	Dont get me wrong, I still plan on driving it around on the dry days until November. Still, the way the weather has been going, I wouldn't be surprised if I only got it out only a dozen more times. Is the OEM cover good enough? Is changing all the fluids overkill or standard practice? My uncle mentioned getting zeibart undercoating. Any thoughts on that as well?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-09-2011, 09:18 AM	#6
ANUSTART Captain 35 Rep 956 Posts Drives: Z4 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: IL iTrader: (0)	For the winter, oil is the only fluid necessary in my opinion. Do all other fluids as you would as normal maintenance. If you plan to drive your car through the winter, the coating is possibly a good idea. If you wash the car and leave it in the garage it's not necessary. I drive mine year round in Chicago and just wash down the undercarriage every week or two. So far there really isn't much of any rust.
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09-09-2011, 11:41 AM	#7
zkeeper Captain 208 Rep 602 Posts Drives: 2017 M2 & 08 Z4 si Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: BimmerHaven iTrader: (0)	Hogzilla has it -- concur on the oil issue, all other fluids as normal. It's only stored for a few weeks really. The undercoating is for me a bit over the top, as I do not personally like the stuff everywhere under there...cannot keep it really clean..on other hand, it does protect, but if you are not in salt etc, then its all a preference. Had a Brit car done years ago, and I don't thing it lasted any longer--hey they rust from inside out anyway, and you canNOT keep all moisture from getting inside. The OEM cover would be fine, if it has enough padding to protect in the environment you'll have. Not sure of that..and have not really looked at one in detail--might be fine. I just popped for a heavy duty padded version, and got it from Griots...it is heavy, and does what I need. Have had other lighter versions I would not have wished for my situaton here. Just look at one if you can before buying.
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09-09-2011, 01:00 PM	#8
Silververtu Major 231 Rep 1,066 Posts Drives: 2015 X5 50i M Sport Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: US of A iTrader: (5) Garage List 2019 Porsche Cayenn ... [10.00]	Do you disconnect the battery from the car for storage? I heard mix answers as some electroncis will be reset if the battery is disconnected for certain period. __________________ 2019 Cayenne Turbo Gone but not forgotten: 2006 2.0T A4 Avant, 2007 Z4 Roadster 3.0si, 2006 M Roadster, 2013 550i M Sport, 2015 Cayman S, 2015 X5 50i M Sport
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09-09-2011, 03:40 PM	#9
ANUSTART Captain 35 Rep 956 Posts Drives: Z4 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: IL iTrader: (0)	Just connect the Tender to the battery in the car. I did that and had no issues. I used an extension cord and rested the Tender in the trunk. You would use the alligator clips to connect positive and negative.
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