SL/R230: Winterizing your SL
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 16
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2005 SL500
Winterizing your SL
Getting real close here in Sun Valley Idaho to putting car away for winter.
Was just wondering what those of you do when retiring car for 5 months. In past I have just waxed and over inflated tires. Anyone use fuel stabelizer? When it gets to 10 degrees I flip on garage heater. Any other thoughts or ideas?
Thx in advance!! FG
Was just wondering what those of you do when retiring car for 5 months. In past I have just waxed and over inflated tires. Anyone use fuel stabelizer? When it gets to 10 degrees I flip on garage heater. Any other thoughts or ideas?
Thx in advance!! FG
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Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Arizona
SL55AMG, Ferrari 348, Ferrari Testarossa, Ferrari F40, Ferrari Mondial t, Ducati 916, Indycar
It is a very good idea to use fuel stabilizer. You may want to put a trickle charger on the car as well, and don't forget to do a fluid change when you take it out of hibernation!
In AZ what we do to get the cars ready for the winter is take the roof down!
In AZ what we do to get the cars ready for the winter is take the roof down!
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 65
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SL500
I'm always surprised to read about car enthusiasts who "garage their car for the winter." I always run my car at least once a week in the winter. I've been told it's better for the car. Plus, unless there's snow on the ground, I want the enjoyment of driving my car year round, even if it's only 4 days a month in the winter. Just a thought.....
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2006
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19 X3, 24 Tacoma Trailhunter, 25 CLE53
I'm always surprised to read about car enthusiasts who "garage their car for the winter." I always run my car at least once a week in the winter. I've been told it's better for the car. Plus, unless there's snow on the ground, I want the enjoyment of driving my car year round, even if it's only 4 days a month in the winter. Just a thought.....
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 65
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From: Sweden
SL55 AMG 2003 V-Max
Maintaining batteries
I'll park my SL55 for the winter at Nowember 1, my concern is the maintain the batteries as there is two. Is ther one point some where to connect the charger so the two batteries get maintained? Please let me know where to connect the charger, picture. I have a advanced charger that is perfect for maintain batteries.
Super Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 576
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From: Midwest
'08 SL550 Sport, '11 BMW 550ix M sport
Mine will go into a storage unit tomorrow. I picked up a nice NOAH cover on Ebay last week and I've washed her and topped off the tank (with $2.49 dollar premium!) I plan on just running the car a day or two each month to keep the batteries charged and to prevent flat spots on the tires. I'll miss her but it makes me enjoy the top down days even more plus it keeps the miles from piling up on the odometer.
Time to fire up the ML!
Time to fire up the ML!
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 16
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2005 SL500
SpainSL500,
I would love to be able to drive my car all winter, but Sun Valley is a "destination ski resort" the first destination ski resort in America going back to 1936 and it gets cold here. -22 degrees two winters ago in January and up to 10' of snow. They also lay down salt on the roads which destroys the paint, so alas, into the garage until spring. I do start it once a week and use the CTEK battery charger. Question for anyone else on this thread. Normal tire pressure is 26 frt and 29 bk. What are you inflating your tires to for winter storage? Thx!
I would love to be able to drive my car all winter, but Sun Valley is a "destination ski resort" the first destination ski resort in America going back to 1936 and it gets cold here. -22 degrees two winters ago in January and up to 10' of snow. They also lay down salt on the roads which destroys the paint, so alas, into the garage until spring. I do start it once a week and use the CTEK battery charger. Question for anyone else on this thread. Normal tire pressure is 26 frt and 29 bk. What are you inflating your tires to for winter storage? Thx!
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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BMW F02 (750Li) F10 (550i)
04 Sl500 03 S500
I LEARNED ONE THING ABOUT MERCEDES BY SELLING THEM AND BEING AROUND THEM !!!! MERCEDES BENZ ARE MEANT TO BE DRIVEN PLEASE DO SO OR IT WILL BREAK ON YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Last edited by m4xm1l10n; Oct 22, 2008 at 11:03 PM.
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Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 21
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From: Ontario, Canada
'08 M3 Convertible, 760Li, LX570, GS300, Caravan
found out from the leakdown test that one of the cylinder head walls had started to peel...due to fuel somehow making its way in there...and started to react with the wall elements of the cylinder....
So anyways...even if you store...point being dont forget about it and just hibernate....please start it up, drive it if its a clean cold day....giving it a nice run, prevents flat spots on tires...
also in spring time, someone already mentioned this, but do an oil change, as oil sitting for long, loses it viscosity. I know I know the oil changes dont need to be done that frequently, but for a low mileage winter stored car, its a different scenario
Super Member
Joined: May 2003
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From: Midwest
'08 SL550 Sport, '11 BMW 550ix M sport
A sad ending to a great summer... This makes me so envious of you southern and south western guys...
Oh well, I'll visit her every two weeks or so just to fire her up and and take her for a quick spin.
How far away is April anyways?
Oh well, I'll visit her every two weeks or so just to fire her up and and take her for a quick spin.
How far away is April anyways?
Last edited by EX-BEEMER; Oct 22, 2008 at 09:50 PM.
