Winter Storage

[jpward]

This is the first winter for my BMW z3 and I have aquired heated storage space for the car. Can anyone tell me how I can find a good checklist of maintenance items for winter storage?

Thanks

 

[Tom]

Fresh oil, full tank of gas, disconnect the battery and keep it covered.

 

[junglestylz]

You can also purchase a set of winter plugs for it. They go in place of the spark plugs and contain a perforated ampule of granules where the ignition point would normally be on a regular spark plug. They works pretty well at sucking up any moisture trhat may get into the cylinders. Especially being in Upstate where it can get very cold, and VERY humid.

 

[///M SPEED]

Fresh oil, full tank of gas, disconnect the battery and keep it covered.

A full tank of gas is a very good pointer. So many people leave this step out when storing a car for long periods of time. You gas tank liner will be very happy if you do.

 

[Wadula]

get the car of the ground to take pressure from the tires. sometimes when a car stands on them without being moved now and then, the rubbers get out of shape.

 

[Big Daddy]

I agree with all the above advice, I also overpressure my tires and park each tire on a piece of that rubber mat sold at Costco for workshop flooring. I was told (by Dinan) if I left it on jack stands my suspension and shocks would suffer from hanging. I also add a half bottle of Redline Si-1 injector cleaner in the tank before filling up the last time. I do not know about the "winter plugs", I may look into that. I have been storing my roadster for well over four years and have had no problems. I do put it on a motorcycle trickel charger, wash, dry, wax, vacuum and clean her before storage. I also cover her with a good car cover.

 

[Average Jae]

get the car of the ground to take pressure from the tires. sometimes when a car stands on them without being moved now and then, the rubbers get out of shape.

yup, having flat spots in your car sucks..

even when winterizing, isn't it a good idea to take the car out for a spin when the weather eases up a bit, or at least start her up once or twice a month? (not sure about it..)

 

[Bmw6pack]

California..... Never have to store for winter

well atleast i don't...

 

[mikev]

I have a boat with 4.3L V6 OMC engine. each winter we have to winterise it. the procedure we use (this is for boats never done it on a car but the engine is a marinised chevy unit i believe) the fuel tank is recommended to be 1/4 full as gas has a sell by date and this allows the tank to be "greased up" enough and not rot or rust. we then tune it fix any problems and start it one last time, Disconnect the battery and run the trickle charger, replace all the fluids and over fill the oil right up to the top (try not to let it spill out the dipstick though) to keep it lubricated, you CAN'T start the engine at all but it keeps the internals in top shape and gets rid of the need to start every week or so! re-commisioning it involves emptying out all the fluids again and filling up with the correct ammount of oil. prime everyting and do the compression testing then fill with fuel to the brim and start the beast up. This will only work if you are not going to drive or start your car. if you do start it you'll rip the engine to bits. we've had her since '92 and no probs yet

 

[bmwrocks]

What's winter?

 

[xi guy]

Dont rub it in...I'm dreading the snow here in NY...but I DO have an XI now!!!!! Just hate to get snow (and salt) all over her..l...

 

[xi guy]

Think I'll drive a winter car to save her for the spring....

 

[Slalom]

Fresh oil, full tank of gas, disconnect the battery and keep it covered.

dont forget some fuel stabilizer in that full tank of gas!

 

[bmwrocks]

Dont rub it in...I'm dreading the snow here in NY...but I DO have an XI now!!!!! Just hate to get snow (and salt) all over her..l...

Where in NY? I was born and raised in Saratoga Springs. Moved south in 1981. My first cars were cheap but I still hated all the salt/sand that would cover them all winter long.

I could never drive a fine car like a BMW up there in the winter for fear of scratches and corrosion.

Yesterday was in the mid-80s here, today it actually dropped to 55 this morning with a high of 72 expected. Fall is finally here!!!

 

[6wheels]

My first post.
I'm picking up my first BMW car this week. I plan on storing it until the end of January (that's when the lease runs out on my Jeep) but then it's driving time in a Toronto winter. To that end I want to get winter tires for it and am not sure about which ones I should get. I noticed on the BMW winter driving school pics that they use michelin tires. Before seeing that add I had been scoping out a set of Bridgestone blizzak WS-50's.

Any thoughts?