Tips on storing car - BMW 1 Series Coupe Forum / 1 Series Convertible Forum (1M / tii / 135i / 128i / Coupe / Cabrio / Hatchback) (BMW E82 E88 128i 130i 135i)

Ash83 · 10-25-2011, 09:43 AM

What are the best practice steps when you store a car for couple of weeks? I will be laving for 3 ~ 4 weeks next month and i am planing to leave the car in my garage.

I read online some people recommend disconnecting the battery but i am not sure if this will work with our cars? also some people said i should make sure the gas tank is empty..

Thanks..

Tom K. · 10-25-2011, 10:19 AM

If it is only 3~4 weeks, simply fill the gas tank to avoid condensation and hook a Battery Tender to the underhood terminals. Disconnecting the battery is an unneccessary bother.

You might also over inflate the tires by a few psi to compensate for the colder weather when you return.

Tom

shodanusmc · 10-25-2011, 10:25 AM

Full tank of gas with Sta-bil, tires to Max, hook up a battery tender....We do this for winter (around 4+ months) and never have a sproblem starting it in the spring.

Bimmerlover76 · 10-25-2011, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shodanusmc

Full tank of gas with Sta-bil, tires to Max, hook up a battery tender....We do this for winter (around 4 months) and never have a sproblem starting it in the spring.

1 Exactly, I've heard of these tactics multiple times with good results. Whoever told you to empty the tank could be getting his physics mixed up. You want the least amount of space for condensation to develop.

Xtian · 10-25-2011, 10:39 AM

3 - 4 weeks should not need any prep. You should be more worried about the layer of dust waiting for you upon your return.

romak47 · 10-25-2011, 10:40 AM

im military and deployed serveral times for a couple months to 4 months at a time. Just fill the tank full and leave it as is.
Dont engage the Ebrake especially if you live in humid / rainy environment.

Battery tender isnt necessary. Never had a single issue of starting my car after 4 months of it sitting.

Ash83 · 10-25-2011, 10:40 AM

thx guys...

CDN_135i · 10-25-2011, 11:02 AM

You dont need fuel stabil for such a short period either.

Tom K. · 10-25-2011, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CDN_135i

You dont need fuel stabil for such a short period either.

Right - I use it when storing fuel for 2 months or more.

Tom

FJUNO78 · 10-25-2011, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CDN_135i

You dont need fuel stabil for such a short period either.

the battery tender also seems like overkill... I have left my car for a little over 3 weeks, and it fired right up.

CDN_135i · 10-25-2011, 04:50 PM

And getting flat spots on your tires is a bit of a myth too, basically with todays tires it wont really happen especially in a month.

dbthompson · 10-26-2011, 08:59 AM

Flat spots can happen, over winter. Probably not with 3-4 weeks, but what's the harm in overinflating by 5psi or so? (which would be track pressure) As to the battery, it depends on the current state of your battery. Batteries sometimes start to go in late 3rd year, more likely 4th-6th year. I'd say your battery is probably ok (you have a 2010), but if you have a trickle charger, use it. If you don't have one but plan on being gone for a month a few more times in the future, get one. Meanwhile, absolutely fill it up before storing.

VMRWheels · 10-26-2011, 03:17 PM

Just fill the tank up and it should be fine. Three to four weeks is not too long of a time to need to do much else. Maybe just give it a good wash and wax beforehand so you can clean the dust off easily once you return.

If it were three to four months though, that would be a slightly different story.

10-25-2011, 09:43 AM	#1
Ash83 Major Drives: 05' 325i/10' 135i/10' Audi A4 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 1,098 iTrader: (1)	Tips on storing car What are the best practice steps when you store a car for couple of weeks? I will be laving for 3 ~ 4 weeks next month and i am planing to leave the car in my garage. I read online some people recommend disconnecting the battery but i am not sure if this will work with our cars? also some people said i should make sure the gas tank is empty.. Thanks.. __________________ Alpine White, Coral RED , Glacier Silver Aluminum trim, M sport, 6MT, NAV, HiFi, USB-iPod, Bluetooth
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10-25-2011, 10:40 AM	#6
romak47 Captain Drives: like a bat out of hell Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 917 iTrader: (0)	im military and deployed serveral times for a couple months to 4 months at a time. Just fill the tank full and leave it as is. Dont engage the Ebrake especially if you live in humid / rainy environment. Battery tender isnt necessary. Never had a single issue of starting my car after 4 months of it sitting. __________________ JB4, DCI, Digi boost, CSL eyelids, 5% tint, KW v2's. Bastuck 85mm quad w/ cat+resonator delete mids, LED int ltg, Perf SSK, CF int trim, 19" SF-71 rims, CDV mod, BMS OCC, ER+tial charge pipe. AR DP's, Helix IC,meth,

10-25-2011, 10:40 AM	#7
Ash83 Major Drives: 05' 325i/10' 135i/10' Audi A4 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 1,098 iTrader: (1)	thx guys... __________________ Alpine White, Coral RED , Glacier Silver Aluminum trim, M sport, 6MT, NAV, HiFi, USB-iPod, Bluetooth

10-26-2011, 03:17 PM	#13
VMRWheels Major General Drives: BMW Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Anaheim, CA Posts: 9,691 iTrader: (4) Garage List 2008 5 Series [3.30]	Just fill the tank up and it should be fine. Three to four weeks is not too long of a time to need to do much else. Maybe just give it a good wash and wax beforehand so you can clean the dust off easily once you return. If it were three to four months though, that would be a slightly different story. __________________ NEW WHEEL MODEL: V721 \| LIVE INVENTORY: V705 V703 V710 \| V710 PICTURE THREAD p. 714-442-7916 extension 103 \| e. kevin.a@velocitymotoring.com \| f. facebook.com/vmrwheels f. flickr.com/vmrwheels

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10-25-2011, 10:19 AM	#2
Tom K. Major General Drives: '07 328iT, '13 Boxster Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 5,209 iTrader: (0)	If it is only 3~4 weeks, simply fill the gas tank to avoid condensation and hook a Battery Tender to the underhood terminals. Disconnecting the battery is an unneccessary bother. You might also over inflate the tires by a few psi to compensate for the colder weather when you return. Tom

10-25-2011, 10:25 AM	#3
shodanusmc Captain Drives: 09 135 Vert Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chicago burb Posts: 734 iTrader: (0)	Full tank of gas with Sta-bil, tires to Max, hook up a battery tender....We do this for winter (around 4+ months) and never have a sproblem starting it in the spring.

10-25-2011, 10:39 AM	#5
Xtian Illuminated Drives: 135i Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 103 iTrader: (0)	3 - 4 weeks should not need any prep. You should be more worried about the layer of dust waiting for you upon your return.

10-25-2011, 11:02 AM	#8
CDN_135i Private Drives: 2011 135i Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 97 iTrader: (0)	You dont need fuel stabil for such a short period either.

10-25-2011, 04:50 PM	#11
CDN_135i Private Drives: 2011 135i Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 97 iTrader: (0)	And getting flat spots on your tires is a bit of a myth too, basically with todays tires it wont really happen especially in a month.

10-26-2011, 08:59 AM	#12
dbthompson Registered Drives: Miata Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Minnesota Posts: 4 iTrader: (0)	Flat spots can happen, over winter. Probably not with 3-4 weeks, but what's the harm in overinflating by 5psi or so? (which would be track pressure) As to the battery, it depends on the current state of your battery. Batteries sometimes start to go in late 3rd year, more likely 4th-6th year. I'd say your battery is probably ok (you have a 2010), but if you have a trickle charger, use it. If you don't have one but plan on being gone for a month a few more times in the future, get one. Meanwhile, absolutely fill it up before storing.