[N757AF]

Work is unfortunately sending me to the Philippines for 3 months after the holidays. I asked the service advisor at my local BMW dealership what I should do to the car to prep it for the 3 months of sitting in the garage and he said just plug in a Battery Tender and don't worry about it.

Anything else you guys would recommend? I bought some fuel stabilizer I plan to also put in the tank before I leave.

[aerobod]

Fill the fuel tank to reduce the risk of condensation is the only other thing I would do.

[petegtsv10]

inflate tires to max as indicated on sidewall. Reduce to proper psi before you drive it.

[AndDown]

I use the CTEK 8-step automatic charger to keep our 2001 X5 battery topped up as we only use the car occasionally to transport larger, heavier things. The last battery lasted over 12 years before needing to be replaced by using this automatic charger.

[Sportstick]

+1 for CTEK battery tender. Also, check Amazon for a set of 4 tire saver cradles...you just drive up onto them and the tire rests on the curved surface. Add Stabil to a half tank, fill the rest of the way and drive at least 5 minutes before final shut down. Tires to max cold pressure (when you check them cold!), per sidewall information.

[kivyee]

If it was me I would just top up the tank - 3 months isn't really THAT long, and maybe hook the battery up to a tender. When I put my motorcycle to bed for the winter I would fill up the tank, add fuel stabilizer, do an oil change and put the battery on a tender every month or two. Served me while for 10 years...started every spring on the first try.

[Ron Jeffries]

+1 on filling tank and maxing tires. Beyond that and the battery tender, it should be OK. Try to store it where the ceiling won't fall on it, that turns out to be bad ...

[N757AF]

I will definitely inflate the tires and look into the tire cradles - good suggestion. As for the CTEK battery tender, I already have an old Battery Tender (probably 10 years old). Is that fine to use, or should I really get the CTEK? Thanks

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by N757AF

I will definitely inflate the tires and look into the tire cradles - good suggestion. As for the CTEK battery tender, I already have an old Battery Tender (probably 10 years old). Is that fine to use, or should I really get the CTEK? Thanks

Not knowing what you have, I might err on the side of safety (considering age as well), knowing that BMW specifically mentions CTEK as a recommended product (although I'm having trouble finding that source.). The one sold at the dealer looks exactly the same as CTEK, so I think they may make it for them. There are many models of CTEK. I use the 7002 with great results.


EDIT: Just found this:

https://www.bmwblog.com/2016/01/28/b...ttery-charger/

Probably better price on Amazon under CTEK brand name.

[overcoil]

Originally Posted by N757AF

I will definitely inflate the tires and look into the tire cradles - good suggestion. As for the CTEK battery tender, I already have an old Battery Tender (probably 10 years old). Is that fine to use, or should I really get the CTEK? Thanks

The new battery chargers are sometimes referred to as battery conditioners and the newer ones have newer technologies

[N757AF]

Fair enough... CTEK 7002 (or similar) will be purchased per Sportsticks' recommendation. Thanks again, everyone!

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by N757AF

Fair enough... CTEK 7002 (or similar) will be purchased per Sportsticks' recommendation. Thanks again, everyone!

I bought this $75 CTEK unit a couple of weeks ago because I think it's the same one the BMW dealer is selling for noticeably more money: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B072MRMRY5/

I've used it once to bring my battery up from 12.26V to 12.95V. That wasn't a challenging job for the CTEK, of course, but it did the job just fine.

[P2]

My sister leaves her car parked for weeks at a shot. She parks it on some 1x6 lumber. The softness of the wood makes a world of difference with flat spots.
The other thing I'd say is don't have anyone start it. Just let it be.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by P2

My sister leaves her car parked for weeks at a shot. She parks it on some 1x6 lumber. The softness of the wood makes a world of difference with flat spots.
The other thing I'd say is don't have anyone start it. Just let it be.

Sure....wood, carpet, anything soft will be a bit better than concrete, but the effect of something such as these relatively inexpensive Bunkerwall tire savers on Amazon is quite clear.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

Sure....wood, carpet, anything soft will be a bit better than concrete, but the effect of something such as these relatively inexpensive Bunkerwall tire savers on Amazon is quite clear.

Do you have any experience with those or something similar? I'd much prefer that versus jack stands for the winter. You still need to inflate to max or not?

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

Do you have any experience with those or something similar? I'd much prefer that versus jack stands for the winter. You still need to inflate to max or not?

I bought a few sets of exactly those, as they were the best deal on Amazon. Some others were oddly and ridiculously expensive. I've used them for a couple of years with perfect results with the cars left behind when we "snowbird". It is helpful to put some kind of a mat below them to stop skidding during the drive-on, if you have a smooth concrete floor, but not much of a hassle. I still do inflate to the cold max shown on the sidewall, but I'm probably a bit more cautious/protective than most or perhaps necessary.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

I bought a few sets of exactly those, as they were the best deal on Amazon. Some others were oddly and ridiculously expensive. I've used them for a couple of years with perfect results with the cars left behind when we "snowbird". It is helpful to put some kind of a mat below them to stop skidding during the drive-on, if you have a smooth concrete floor, but not much of a hassle. I still do inflate to the cold max shown on the sidewall, but I'm probably a bit more cautious/protective than most or perhaps necessary.

Awesome, thanks. I just got the BMW tender since you can do the permanent install and it was only $65 from everyone's best buddy Brian at Sun. Really, really cannot say enough good things about it, super easy install and it's seamless under the hood. Looks completely factory with another port to plug into. Was thinking jack stands but getting the car up on them is a pain in the ass, and it's up in the air which always makes me nervous.

Think I may get the Race Ramps Flat Stoppers they're quite a bit wider than the yellow ones and I've had good experience with their products in the past. They are also sticky so no need to worry about skidding on the floor. $200 vs $50 so there's that, but for something that will last forever not horrible.

EDIT: After rebate the RR ones are only $180 on Auto Anything.

[krhodes1]

Now that I have become a snowbird, my cars in Maine, including my BMW sit for months and months at a time. I fill the tanks, and put them on battery tenders, and that is it. I've actually been parking my Spitfire for the winter that way for 23 years, never a problem. The tires do flatspot, but it goes away in 10 minutes of driving.

[kern44]

I also spray mice deterrent around the ports of entry. I once found a dead mouse stuck between the lower door jam and rocker.

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by kern44

I also spray mice deterrent around the ports of entry. I once found a dead mouse stuck between the lower door jam and rocker.

They will also build nests in your intakes. We got cats to deal with the problem.

[Marmugmotleocay]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

Awesome, thanks. I just got the BMW tender since you can do the permanent install and it was only $65 from everyone's best buddy Brian at Sun. Really, really cannot say enough good things about it, super easy install and it's seamless under the hood. Looks completely factory with another port to plug into. Was thinking jack stands but getting the car up on them is a pain in the ass, and it's up in the air which always makes me nervous.

Think I may get the Race Ramps Flat Stoppers they're quite a bit wider than the yellow ones and I've had good experience with their products in the past. They are also sticky so no need to worry about skidding on the floor. $200 vs $50 so there's that, but for something that will last forever not horrible.

EDIT: After rebate the RR ones are only $180 on Auto Anything.

I have the same charger from Brian and also use the Race Ramp Flatstoppers.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by Marmugmotleocay

I have the same charger from Brian and also use the Race Ramp Flatstoppers.

I am very interested to see how the Flatstoppers work this is my first winter with them. I also tried the BMW cover but it was crap, got the fleeced satin indoor one from Car Cover World and it is 100x better (and less money even).