HELP please! How to store car for 6 months

simonlai · 09-07-2008, 06:56 PM

Hi,

Im planning to keep my BMW 335 in the garage for winter and im wondering if there was anything i should do or not do.

any advice would help thank you!

Placey · 09-07-2008, 11:03 PM

keep a battery tender on it to keep the battery healthy.

You can pick one up at the dealer for less than $100 i believe

nicknaz · 09-08-2008, 12:25 AM

store it just like a motorcycle... oil change, full tank of fuel with fuel stabilizer (make sure you run the motor for ~5min so the the stabilizer gets into all of the fuel lines and injectors), battery tender on the battery, cover it with a high quality breathable car cover

Also, for what its worth, even though I did all of the above to my motorcycle I would take it out and ride it (bringing the engine oil up to full operating temperature) whenever the temps were over 36F and the ground was dry/free of salt. (I would refill the fuel tank and add the appropriate amount of fuel stabilizer after each ride)

You avoid a LOT of potential issues if you keep the vehicle moving whenever possible throughout the winter

The first winter I had my bike I left it in storage for the full winter, and in the spring I found that the tires were slightly flat spotted, the carbs needed adjustment, and it was hard to start the first couple of times. Each winter after I ran the bike whenever possible and didn't have any storage related issues

Oh, and lastly, make sure you store the car on concrete.. if you store the car over grass/soil/dirt the condensation from underneath will cause a lot of corrosion

rlb · 09-08-2008, 12:39 AM

Definitely a battery charger/maintainer. I've used one from Sears for a few years now and it works great. It only cost about $30(model #71220 or 71219). Also, putting the car on jack stands will take the weight off of the tires to prevent flat spots. Put some STA-BIL fuel stabilizer in to keep your gas from breaking down. It would be good to start the engine once a week as well and if possible take it for a drive.

oilcrankinject · 09-08-2008, 10:52 AM

Whenever I get deployed I will need to store my car outside in LA for a year. I am not looking forward to that.

kyleb350 · 09-08-2008, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by svtfast

Whenever I get deployed I will need to store my car outside in LA for a year. I am not looking forward to that.

A year?!?

might as well sell the car and invest the money while you're gone.

09-07-2008, 06:56 PM	#1
simonlai Registered 3 Rep 2 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 335i Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: vancouver iTrader: (0)	HELP please! How to store car for 6 months Hi, Im planning to keep my BMW 335 in the garage for winter and im wondering if there was anything i should do or not do. any advice would help thank you!
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

09-07-2008, 11:03 PM	#2
Placey First Lieutenant 15 Rep 367 Posts Drives: 08 Z4 3.0SI Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Upstate New York iTrader: (1)	keep a battery tender on it to keep the battery healthy. You can pick one up at the dealer for less than $100 i believe __________________ 08 Z4 3.0SI Black Sapphire/Black Int, 6sp, Sport/Premium --- retired --- 2010 BMW 650GS -- Z4 replacement Working with the most talented people on the most technically advanced automobiles....
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-08-2008, 12:25 AM	#3
nicknaz Lieutenant General 3189 Rep 10,509 Posts Drives: C6Z Join Date: May 2008 Location: NorCal iTrader: (0)	store it just like a motorcycle... oil change, full tank of fuel with fuel stabilizer (make sure you run the motor for ~5min so the the stabilizer gets into all of the fuel lines and injectors), battery tender on the battery, cover it with a high quality breathable car cover Also, for what its worth, even though I did all of the above to my motorcycle I would take it out and ride it (bringing the engine oil up to full operating temperature) whenever the temps were over 36F and the ground was dry/free of salt. (I would refill the fuel tank and add the appropriate amount of fuel stabilizer after each ride) You avoid a LOT of potential issues if you keep the vehicle moving whenever possible throughout the winter The first winter I had my bike I left it in storage for the full winter, and in the spring I found that the tires were slightly flat spotted, the carbs needed adjustment, and it was hard to start the first couple of times. Each winter after I ran the bike whenever possible and didn't have any storage related issues Oh, and lastly, make sure you store the car on concrete.. if you store the car over grass/soil/dirt the condensation from underneath will cause a lot of corrosion
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-08-2008, 12:39 AM	#4
rlb Private First Class 5 Rep 117 Posts Drives: 335i, 300ZX Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Northern NJ iTrader: (0)	Definitely a battery charger/maintainer. I've used one from Sears for a few years now and it works great. It only cost about $30(model #71220 or 71219). Also, putting the car on jack stands will take the weight off of the tires to prevent flat spots. Put some STA-BIL fuel stabilizer in to keep your gas from breaking down. It would be good to start the engine once a week as well and if possible take it for a drive.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-08-2008, 10:52 AM	#5
oilcrankinject Captain 80 Rep 996 Posts Drives: nothing Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Whenever I get deployed I will need to store my car outside in LA for a year. I am not looking forward to that.
	Appreciate 0 Quote