Winterizing

Omegaspoon · 10-09-2013, 11:24 AM

I apologize if this has been addressed, but i dont see it anywhere. This is my first time with a 135i, and was looking for winterization tips. I will be keeping it covered, in a heated warehouse. I have been told to unhook the battery, install a trcikle charger, fill the gas tank (to avoid condensation), fill the tires to 45-50# (to avoid flat spots from sitting). I just completed a wash, polish, wax job. It's not due for an oil change, and i was going to do one in the spring.
Anything special for the turbos? Any other do's and dont's from experience? Fuel stabilizer? ANy input would be helpful. thanks.

kellyzerx · 10-09-2013, 03:50 PM

If you car doesn't have an external lock cylinder on the trunk, fold the back seats down so you have access to the trunk. That way you can crawl into the trunk from the passenger compartment and use the emergency release handle on the inside to re-open the trunk. If you don't you'll need to connect power to the underhood jumper posts to get the trunk open so you can reconnect the battery (think chicken and egg or lifting yourself up by your belt loops

).

arcticcat522 · 10-20-2013, 04:36 PM

Id think changing the oil prior to storage would be a good thing. im not very technical, but, I would think used oil would have contaminants in it you don't want sitting/degrading seals and such in the engine??? I am just thinking out loud. anyone have input on that?

Kgolf31 · 10-20-2013, 05:28 PM

I've always left oil in the car until summer.

Anyways, no need to disconnect battery.

I put the tires to 40 PSI, put a trickle charger on the battery and cover the car. My garage is heated as well, so you don't really need to be concerned with moisture.

GarrettF · 10-20-2013, 05:39 PM

you could buy a set of snow tires/wheels and drive it all winter like I do!

Olgeezer1 · 12-21-2013, 08:42 PM

Definitely want fresh oil in there for storage. In a heated garage no need to change again in spring, just drive it. I leave my battery connected and charged w/ a BMW Advanced Charging System float charger. Did brake and coolant change also since they were about due. Sitting w/clean, non-contaminated fluids is a good thing. Tire pressure up like you said. I sit mine on rubber pads to minimize flat spotting. I leave windows very slightly cracked to allow a little air circulation, pop one back seat as mentioned, cover it up and wait for spring.

Joeyb7 · 12-21-2013, 10:23 PM

Similar here. No need to unhook the battery....just throw it on the tender, top off the tank with some stabil included, apply a good sealant, put a bit more pressure in the tires and let it be. Personally, I never cover it in my garage....why not take it for a spin in the winter when it's brutally cold out, but there's no snow in the ground?

10-09-2013, 11:24 AM	#1
Omegaspoon Omegaspoon 2 Rep 14 Posts Drives: 2009 135i alpine/coral conv Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Syracuse iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 X3Mc [0.00]	Winterizing I apologize if this has been addressed, but i dont see it anywhere. This is my first time with a 135i, and was looking for winterization tips. I will be keeping it covered, in a heated warehouse. I have been told to unhook the battery, install a trcikle charger, fill the gas tank (to avoid condensation), fill the tires to 45-50# (to avoid flat spots from sitting). I just completed a wash, polish, wax job. It's not due for an oil change, and i was going to do one in the spring. Anything special for the turbos? Any other do's and dont's from experience? Fuel stabilizer? ANy input would be helpful. thanks.
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10-09-2013, 03:50 PM	#2
kellyzerx Private First Class 97 Rep 116 Posts Drives: 2020 M2 CS Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 BMW M2 CS [0.00]	If you car doesn't have an external lock cylinder on the trunk, fold the back seats down so you have access to the trunk. That way you can crawl into the trunk from the passenger compartment and use the emergency release handle on the inside to re-open the trunk. If you don't you'll need to connect power to the underhood jumper posts to get the trunk open so you can reconnect the battery (think chicken and egg or lifting yourself up by your belt loops ).
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10-20-2013, 04:36 PM	#3
arcticcat522 Private First Class 4 Rep 160 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Calgary, Canada iTrader: (0)	Id think changing the oil prior to storage would be a good thing. im not very technical, but, I would think used oil would have contaminants in it you don't want sitting/degrading seals and such in the engine??? I am just thinking out loud. anyone have input on that?
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10-20-2013, 05:28 PM	#4
Kgolf31 Brigadier General 459 Rep 4,531 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4MC, 2012 128i Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Ohio iTrader: (4)	I've always left oil in the car until summer. Anyways, no need to disconnect battery. I put the tires to 40 PSI, put a trickle charger on the battery and cover the car. My garage is heated as well, so you don't really need to be concerned with moisture.
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10-20-2013, 05:39 PM	#5
GarrettF Former E46Fanatic 13 Rep 284 Posts Drives: 1987 S52 325is Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: NYC iTrader: (3)	you could buy a set of snow tires/wheels and drive it all winter like I do! __________________ Current Cars: 1987 E30 325is 1991 E30 325i 1991 E31 850i 2018 G01 X3 2004 B15 Sentra SE-R (daily)
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12-21-2013, 08:42 PM	#6
Olgeezer1 Lieutenant 183 Rep 505 Posts Drives: 2010 128i 6MT Sport Pkg. 18" Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Ottawa, Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 E82 128i N52 [0.00]	Definitely want fresh oil in there for storage. In a heated garage no need to change again in spring, just drive it. I leave my battery connected and charged w/ a BMW Advanced Charging System float charger. Did brake and coolant change also since they were about due. Sitting w/clean, non-contaminated fluids is a good thing. Tire pressure up like you said. I sit mine on rubber pads to minimize flat spotting. I leave windows very slightly cracked to allow a little air circulation, pop one back seat as mentioned, cover it up and wait for spring.
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12-21-2013, 10:23 PM	#7
Joeyb7 Private First Class 8 Rep 139 Posts Drives: 2011 135i M Sport - AW Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: South Boston iTrader: (0)	Similar here. No need to unhook the battery....just throw it on the tender, top off the tank with some stabil included, apply a good sealant, put a bit more pressure in the tires and let it be. Personally, I never cover it in my garage....why not take it for a spin in the winter when it's brutally cold out, but there's no snow in the ground?
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