Winter Slumber "The Big Sleep"

[1M SUSI]

Hey guys,

I've put away my 993 and sadly, it's time to put the 1M into hibernation as well. I've looked in the search button, but couldn't find much discussion on winter storage.

With the Porsche, I over inflate the tires to 50lbs, put some gas stabilizer in the tank, and then plug in the cigarette lighter battery tickle charger thingy...and that's it until spring.

So my question is, what should I do with the 1M? Same thing?

Is there a battery tender that anyone recommends?

Last year I did nothing and the battery was toast by spring. Had to replace it...

Any suggestions would help.

Thanks in advance.

Susi

[Redadair]

I purchased the, Battery Tender 021-0128 Battery Tender Plus from Amazon, under $50 it works great. Under the hood of the car is a Red plastic covered Positive connector, left rear side of engine above valve cover. Aluminum connector left forward on the fender is the Negative connector.

I don't over inflate the tires, I just fill them to the numbers on the door sill. About 1/3 fill of gasoline and cover my car with the BMW M car cover. If there is a Very good weather day where the roads are totally dry I may take the car out for a little drive, enough to bring the oil temp up to normal readings then park again.

Winter sucks.

[1M SUSI]

Thanks Redadair

A battery tender is on the short list. Thanks for the tip, not too difficult of a DIY but a bit more challenging than the cigarette lighter type.

I don't over inflate the tires, I just fill them to the numbers on the door sill.

But no over inflation? Your not worried about flat spots? Or are these tires just different.

Thanks again

[ESC OFF]

Sounds vaguely familiar, except I put my Cayman away today, and put winter tires on my 1M!

[eeghie]

Originally Posted by 1M SUSI

... Last year I did nothing and the battery was toast by spring. Had to replace it...

Any suggestions would help.

Thanks in advance.

Susi

For 6 months storage or less, no cost but works just as good as the charger, my suggestion: remove the brown / minus cable from the battery (underneath trunk floor). The reconnected battery fired up the engine without any hesitation after 6 months of storage (in CT :-).

For remote storage: activate valet switch and lock glove box.

[Redadair]

Originally Posted by 1M SUSI

Thanks Redadair

A battery tender is on the short list. Thanks for the tip, not too difficult of a DIY but a bit more challenging than the cigarette lighter type.



But no over inflation? Your not worried about flat spots? Or are these tires just different.

Thanks again

I think you will get some flat spots from sitting regardless of tire pressure. I don't think adding Max tire pressure is the answer for parking.

Taking the car out for a drive once or twice in winter when the weather is perfect and the roads are dry helps this flat spot issue.

[Kgolf31]

Modern tires resist flat spots. In my Z4M I go a couple pounds over but in reality it doesn't do anything.

I throw a battery tender on the car (connect straight to the battery in the back) and fill the tank to full to resist condensation.

That's about it.

[Ollieb7]

A set of winter tyres, use it and enjoy it!

[T1T2GRE]

I got the flat stoppers from Race Ramps. A little fuel stabiliser, the OEM M cover, and a trickle charger.

I like to still take it out periodically when there's no salt etc. just to get the fluids back in motion and work the brakes, clutch.

[1M SUSI]

I got the flat stoppers from Race Ramps. A little fuel stabiliser, the OEM M cover, and a trickle charger.

Sounds like a proper set up and routine. Flat Stoppers huh? I will have to look into that. Thanks for the tip.

Susi

[1M SUSI]

A set of winter tyres, use it and enjoy it

Yes I'm jealous of winter driving with the little 1m. But I'z got me an 06 Audi S4 wagon for winter thrashing. No love for the audi but the 1m gets garage privileges!

Suz

[Gray_Panther]

I put away my 1er too. Extra air, no gas stabilizer and disconnected the negative terminal on the battery.

Before removing the terminal, I rolled the windows down a bit and left the doors unlocked. Placed the cover over it and tucked it away.

We never use gas stabilizers, never had any problems. Is it really needed?

[Ollieb7]

I think on another thread someone had said that not driving your 1m was like not sleeping with your partner so you can keep them good for their next one...

However i do too store cars but one of them is a Caterham without a heater and i think if i drove that during the winter you can forget about me keeping my wife or any other poor sod happy as my bits would have comprehensively dropped off!

[Kgolf31]

Originally Posted by Gray_Panther

I put away my 1er too. Extra air, no gas stabilizer and disconnected the negative terminal on the battery.

Before removing the terminal, I rolled the windows down a bit and left the doors unlocked. Placed the cover over it and tucked it away.

We never use gas stabilizers, never had any problems. Is it really needed?

No, it isn't needed at all.

As well as flat-stoppers. You'd be amazed at how modern tires resist flat-spotting.

I wouldn't lie OP. I've done this for the past 3 years and my tires have been perfectly fine. Just trying to save you money from worthless gimmicks.

[MightyMouseTech]

Highly recommend a fuel stabilizer, especially if you use gas that has ethanol in it, which is 99% of the fuel out there.

Cost me nearly $1000 to fix my bike last year after not using it. Lesson learned.

[E30 Racer]

+1

I've had a few cars in long term storage for years (one is an '87 with 5.2k miles), and have never had fuel-related issues. I use Stabil twice a year. Just another data point to consider.

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by Ollieb7

I think on another thread someone had said that not driving your 1m was like not sleeping with your partner so you can keep them good for their next one...