Winter storage
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Joined: Dec 2010
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2016 E63 s63 (sold),1986 Buick Grand National (sold)2014 ML63
Winter storage
Can anyone recommend a good quality car cover for the E55?
Also, I am aware there are two batteries in these cars; are they in parallel - meaning if I hook up the trickle charger to the one in the trunk periodically to keep it full, will it also keep the second one charged?
Any other hibernation tips? The car will be garaged from Nov to March, weather dictating...
TIA
Chris
Also, I am aware there are two batteries in these cars; are they in parallel - meaning if I hook up the trickle charger to the one in the trunk periodically to keep it full, will it also keep the second one charged?
Any other hibernation tips? The car will be garaged from Nov to March, weather dictating...
TIA
Chris
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3-five-five/ TUNDRA/ 07 997 cab
Can anyone recommend a good quality car cover for the E55?
Also, I am aware there are two batteries in these cars; are they in parallel - meaning if I hook up the trickle charger to the one in the trunk periodically to keep it full, will it also keep the second one charged?
Any other hibernation tips? The car will be garaged from Nov to March, weather dictating...
TIA
Chris
Also, I am aware there are two batteries in these cars; are they in parallel - meaning if I hook up the trickle charger to the one in the trunk periodically to keep it full, will it also keep the second one charged?
Any other hibernation tips? The car will be garaged from Nov to March, weather dictating...
TIA
Chris
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From: Caribbean/Florida/Colorado
E-ZGO 53hp., 1999 E 430 sport, 2004 E 55, 2008 Tahoe LTZ on 24"s
I put a Schumacher fully automatic 1.5 amp charger on the main start battery, and it stays charged. The small battery forward under the hood dose not receive a charge from the main battery unless the car is running. I have found that a 20 minute run once a month will keep the little battery fully charged.
There are some clean clear winter days with below zero temps that bring our heat soaked beasts to life, that's my excuse to charge the little battery.
I just checked for the Shumacher charger and it is not available but here is the same unit,
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/WES...E87?Pid=search
There are some clean clear winter days with below zero temps that bring our heat soaked beasts to life, that's my excuse to charge the little battery.
I just checked for the Shumacher charger and it is not available but here is the same unit,
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/WES...E87?Pid=search
Last edited by Yacht Master; Oct 24, 2011 at 08:49 AM.
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From: Gulf Coast but not Florida
GLK350, SL63 AMG
It snows in Germany.
Buying snowflake V rated tires and an extra set of rims is more fun on nice days than a Durango!
After washing I cover it with an inexpensive cover from Rocky Mountain off eBay. No need for expensive covers.
Buying snowflake V rated tires and an extra set of rims is more fun on nice days than a Durango!
After washing I cover it with an inexpensive cover from Rocky Mountain off eBay. No need for expensive covers.
Last edited by grane; Oct 24, 2011 at 09:02 AM.
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From: NH
2012 C63 BS & 2014 E63 Estate & 2008 CLK63 BS
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From: Florida-Germany-New York
2004 E55,1969 300SEL6.3,2011 ML350 BlueTec Diesel,2005 ML400 CDI
I put a Schumacher fully automatic 1.5 amp charger on the main start battery, and it stays charged. The small battery forward under the hood dose not receive a charge from the main battery unless the car is running. I have found that a 20 minute run once a month will keep the little battery fully charged.
There are some clean clear winter days with below zero temps that bring our heat soaked beasts to life, that's my excuse to charge the little battery.
I just checked for the Shumacher charger and it is not available but here is the same unit,
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/WES...E87?Pid=search
There are some clean clear winter days with below zero temps that bring our heat soaked beasts to life, that's my excuse to charge the little battery.
I just checked for the Shumacher charger and it is not available but here is the same unit,
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/WES...E87?Pid=search
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From: Pittsburgh
'20 GLE350, '21 F150 Raptor, '03 BMW M3, '22 KTM 890 ADV, '23 Triumph Trident 660
Any thoughts about jacking it up and taking some weight off the suspension and tires? I am about to put mine in storage as well, and was thinking about doing this. It will be stored for at least 4 months.
Not fully off the ground, just about half the suspension travel.
Or am I wasting my time.
Bill
Not fully off the ground, just about half the suspension travel.
Or am I wasting my time.
Bill
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,124
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From: Florida-Germany-New York
2004 E55,1969 300SEL6.3,2011 ML350 BlueTec Diesel,2005 ML400 CDI
Any thoughts about jacking it up and taking some weight off the suspension and tires? I am about to put mine in storage as well, and was thinking about doing this. It will be stored for at least 4 months.
Not fully off the ground, just about half the suspension travel.
Or am I wasting my time.
Bill
Not fully off the ground, just about half the suspension travel.
Or am I wasting my time.
Bill
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From: Bloomingdale,IL
2004 W211 E55K, GL550
I was thinking the other day as well about putting it up for winter but my question is. Is it better to have the air matic suspension in the highest setting or should it be in the lowest setting any suggestions?
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From: Northern VA
W211
Cold weather is the best for these cars as long as there is no white stuff on the ground!!! I have to store one of my cars, and will just fill it up with gas/stabil, put extra air in the tire, and change the oil. Will run it once a week.
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From: Caribbean/Florida/Colorado
E-ZGO 53hp., 1999 E 430 sport, 2004 E 55, 2008 Tahoe LTZ on 24"s
Are you absolutely sure the secondary battery (BS14) only charges when the engine is running? My 55 is stored at least 6 months each year on jacks and with a built in float charger. I just replaced the 7 year old BS14 which was the original factory unit and it was still holding a charge. I'm replacing all the original Beru tire pressure sensors with Oro-Tek units this week as they all died during the last storage.
The time I tested it was 2 months in to storage and the main battery had a higher voltage hours after the car had been sleeping. (deep sleep trunk lights off) I am still on my OEM BS14 (04) still holds a 12.7V charge, main 13.4V
When your TPS quit did they all (4) fail at about the same time?
Mine just died, but I think I'll hold off changing them out till my spring tire change, so keep me posted on the Oro-Tek units.
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From: Florida-Germany-New York
2004 E55,1969 300SEL6.3,2011 ML350 BlueTec Diesel,2005 ML400 CDI
I am reasonably sure the small battery (BS14) only charges, when the car is running. let me clarify this to include when the car is awake. Now that said there have been 3 software updates to the Battery control system. The small battery's primary duty is backup power for SBC and clean 12V for electronics. When I say clean that means the voltage is not pulled down by a starter motor, (DC brown out) that tends to wreak havoc on electronics.
The time I tested it was 2 months in to storage and the main battery had a higher voltage hours after the car had been sleeping. (deep sleep trunk lights off) I am still on my OEM BS14 (04) still holds a 12.7V charge, main 13.4V
When your TPS quit did they all (4) fail at about the same time?
Mine just died, but I think I'll hold off changing them out till my spring tire change, so keep me posted on the Oro-Tek units.
The time I tested it was 2 months in to storage and the main battery had a higher voltage hours after the car had been sleeping. (deep sleep trunk lights off) I am still on my OEM BS14 (04) still holds a 12.7V charge, main 13.4V
When your TPS quit did they all (4) fail at about the same time?
Mine just died, but I think I'll hold off changing them out till my spring tire change, so keep me posted on the Oro-Tek units.
My original TPS's were operational in December 2010 and all 4 were a ghost after coming out of storage in July 2011. What was interesting was that when I first checked the pressures I had a reading which was probably retained in the control module's memory for about 10 seconds before I got the "Reactivate" message. I am going to try and have the Oro-Teks installed tomorrow (I'm in Germany until January). I'll keep you posted.
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Joined: Dec 2010
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2016 E63 s63 (sold),1986 Buick Grand National (sold)2014 ML63
Thanks guys!!
Any more weigh-in on the suspension question? I don't want any airmatic problems....
As far as driving it in the cold I have no aversion to it; its the 6" of snow and salt mix I just won't do.
If it were just cold and dry (no salt residue) on the roads, I'd be all over it, even if it was 10 degrees F.
Any more weigh-in on the suspension question? I don't want any airmatic problems....
As far as driving it in the cold I have no aversion to it; its the 6" of snow and salt mix I just won't do.
If it were just cold and dry (no salt residue) on the roads, I'd be all over it, even if it was 10 degrees F.
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Joined: Jul 2003
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From: London UK
E63s s213 2019 ,SOLD E63 Weistec, E55, C36
mine gets used 12 months of the year, winter tyres for 6 of the months and my 19" AMG perf pack 2 pieces for the other 6!
winter tyres are a must when white stuff is on the floor.
winter tyres are a must when white stuff is on the floor.
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From: Boston,MA
2001 E320, 2008 E63 AMG
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From: Florida-Germany-New York
2004 E55,1969 300SEL6.3,2011 ML350 BlueTec Diesel,2005 ML400 CDI
What you say makes good sense especially regarding taking the electronics off of the mains. I should have thought of that. That's probably why the BS14 lasts so long . . . no discharge/charge cycles ergo no sulfate buildup. I'll check the BS14 voltage after the next 6 month storage period (July 2012).
My original TPS's were operational in December 2010 and all 4 were a ghost after coming out of storage in July 2011. What was interesting was that when I first checked the pressures I had a reading which was probably retained in the control module's memory for about 10 seconds before I got the "Reactivate" message. I am going to try and have the Oro-Teks installed tomorrow (I'm in Germany until January). I'll keep you posted.
My original TPS's were operational in December 2010 and all 4 were a ghost after coming out of storage in July 2011. What was interesting was that when I first checked the pressures I had a reading which was probably retained in the control module's memory for about 10 seconds before I got the "Reactivate" message. I am going to try and have the Oro-Teks installed tomorrow (I'm in Germany until January). I'll keep you posted.
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From: Los Angeles
C63
Go with the Cover craft evolution car cover.
That's what Ive been using for year now and its a great cover.
https://mbworld.org/forums/4794722-post10.html
I would also, disconnect the battery, remove the wheels and put the car on jacks to avoid flat spotting on the tires.
That's what Ive been using for year now and its a great cover.
https://mbworld.org/forums/4794722-post10.html
I would also, disconnect the battery, remove the wheels and put the car on jacks to avoid flat spotting on the tires.
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From: Caribbean/Florida/Colorado
E-ZGO 53hp., 1999 E 430 sport, 2004 E 55, 2008 Tahoe LTZ on 24"s
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,124
Likes: 32
From: Florida-Germany-New York
2004 E55,1969 300SEL6.3,2011 ML350 BlueTec Diesel,2005 ML400 CDI
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Joined: Dec 2010
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2016 E63 s63 (sold),1986 Buick Grand National (sold)2014 ML63
Do you know the part number? My stealer wants $300....maybe he looked up the wrong one?
Going to decide and select this weekend. Finally put it away today.
Imagine this - not a drop of snow in Buffalo and it's Dec 1 ?? lol
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 213
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2016 E63 s63 (sold),1986 Buick Grand National (sold)2014 ML63
Go with the Cover craft evolution car cover.
That's what Ive been using for year now and its a great cover.
https://mbworld.org/forums/4794722-post10.html
I would also, disconnect the battery, remove the wheels and put the car on jacks to avoid flat spotting on the tires.
That's what Ive been using for year now and its a great cover.
https://mbworld.org/forums/4794722-post10.html
I would also, disconnect the battery, remove the wheels and put the car on jacks to avoid flat spotting on the tires.
I have been storing cars for about 15 winters now and never had a problem with tires, and mine are bald anyway, so new ones in spring...
I'm more worried about the scare-matic suspension! lol
Thread Starter
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Joined: Dec 2010
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2016 E63 s63 (sold),1986 Buick Grand National (sold)2014 ML63
Anyone else about the suspension?
Also - a buddy of mine had problems a few years back with rodents getting into the upholstery on his 69 Cutlass (yikes!!!) and I don't want that possibility...
Can they get in anywhere? Any tips to keep em away altogether?
Also - a buddy of mine had problems a few years back with rodents getting into the upholstery on his 69 Cutlass (yikes!!!) and I don't want that possibility...
Can they get in anywhere? Any tips to keep em away altogether?
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From: NH
2012 C63 BS & 2014 E63 Estate & 2008 CLK63 BS
Maybe I should ask him if they are any good lol
