8damien8

Hey guys,

Winter is coming, and I'm planning to put my car away while the snow is here (I'm in Toronto).

Just wondering if there is anything I need to do to prepare and store it? Can I just park it in my garage for 4 months???

I've heard things about hooking up the battery. Putting the cars on foam to prevent tires from flattening.

Just wondering what I need to do.

Any info would be appreciated. Thanks in advance

INS1GNIA

If you aren't going to be moving it at all, just air up the tires a bit more than usual and that's about it. Some use a battery tender but it really is personal preference. I like to sleep with my C63 sometimes just so it doesn't get lonely .

ahgli

I usually just leave a quarter to half a tank of gas in it and put it on jack stands in the garage, and started it for 15 minutes every 12 days or so.

ENV²

If it isnt going to move or be started throw some fuel stabilizer in it as well.

c32_amg_79

A buddy of mine told me it's not good to start the car if you're planning on parking it for the winter. He said there will be condensation going into the engine and exhaust if you do that. The best thing is to just leave it alone. Fill up the gas and add fuel stabilizer.

Mine will be going into hibernation as of November 15th.

INS1GNIA

^^ yep, it even says in the manual not to start the car and let it it idle in place to warm up. It is better to either leave it alone completely or take it on a short drive to let everything get up to temp then put it back away.

looney100

Fill the tank to prevent condensation from forming, and add a fuel stabilizer.
A smart charger is a must, or your battery will drain, and will never be the same again.

gmaschine

This ^^

Putting the car on jack stands or parking the car on carpet (take old carpet, cut into squares, put under each tire) to prevent flat spots.
and a decent car cover. Total winter prep. mode

DiscoBandit

1. Let the tank get almost to empty, then add fuel stabilizer and fill it up all the way so it mixes well. It should always be stored with a full tank unless it is going to sit for a year+.

2. Air up the tires a bit extra to prevent flat spots. I used to park my bikes on cardboard as well to help prevent the tires getting dried out on the concrete.

3. Disconnect the battery. A battery tender is ideal but not super necessary for only 4 months.

4. Whatever you do, don't start it up every once in awhile to "get the fluids flowing". I cringe every time I hear about someone doing that, cold starts are literally the worst thing for an engine. Just let it sit until you are ready to start driving it regularly again.

5. Fresh oil change in the spring, and you are good to go!

mrmotoguzzi00

DiscoBandit good list, i would go further but I'm a little fanatic with storing stuff lol

Agree with fuel stabilizer, always did that with all my gas powered stuff in New England, the neighbors who didn't had serious issues in 2-3 yrs with their stuff... after 10 yrs all my stuff still ran like new

4 month's, I would put it up on jack stands. We would leave our car on the ground for 6 month at the vacay home and the tires would block... maybe 4 month's is ok, but I can tell ya 6 month's was too long...

you could go either way with the battery... i did the tender...

agree on fresh oil in the spring, but would also suggest clean oil before ya put it away..

ahgli

I leave the bmw parked from august until may-june every year for the past 2 years, it still running as good as new

Roswell

I start my car once every couple weeks to circulate fluids & recharge the battery & moving it out of the garage to avoid flat spot. Been 5 winters no problem at all.

U just gotta let it warm up til engine oil is at operational temperature.. I just look at the oil temp on the dash screen, once it stopped blinking it means it's good. This takes a good 30 minutes though, not 15minutes.

8damien8

Seems like we have half the people saying not to start it and let it warm up, then the other half saying just leave it until winter is over.

Also, mixed opinions on fuel stabilizer. And, should the tank be half full, or completely full?

I've also had the car 6 months, and have not changed oil. Should I wait until winter is over?

And lastly... Trickle chargers. Is this necessary for 4 months?

Thanks again guys

Thrilla

I've stored cars over the winter and from my experience, there is no adverse effect with using a fuel stabilizer on a full tank. Why not?

I overinflate the tires. Never used jack stands. I've read that it may affect the suspension not being compressed for such a long time. Modern tires are steel belted and resist deformation better. Even if they did, driving after a few miles will fix them right up.

Trickle chargers are useful and keeps the battery charged. No need to start the car to idle. Proper way to warm up the engine is to drive the car, not to let it sit and idle.

Lastly, I do an oil change prior to storing, and another oil change after hibernation.

I've stored my cars in the winter and during deployment this way and never had an issue. First sign of spring the cars fire right up ready to hit the pavement.

thesaintusa

Add the stabilizer when empty prior to filling the tank to have it 'mix' properly, and then drive it to have the 'mixed' fuel/stabilizer get into the lines/injectors etc.

I have been parking a car every winter (my Subaru/RX7) every winter for over a decade and have never had an issue just leaving them parked all winter.

I put on a trickle charger for both which makes for an instant start. They both start on the first crank instantly (as if they were driven the day prior) I don't change the oil any different than scheduled.

Never had issues with flat spots on tires, just park with them properly inflated.

The only issue is surface rust on the rotor which disappears after the first few miles.

I am driving the C63 this winter with winter tires and storing other cars like I have been in the past.

FWIW I park them indoors.