[simena12]

Will my m235i require a battery tender if I'm storing it for winter? I'll take it out maybe 2 times a month (just the nice days) to run it a bit. Would it be neccassary if I didn't use the car for a whole month?

Thanks,
Nick

[overcoil]

I would use the tender, a good computerized tender.

Though, the car may start w/o a tender. And things like either a heated or unheated garage may have an effect on battery condition.

[simena12]

Originally Posted by ScottSinger

I would use the tender, a good computerized tender.

Though, the car may start w/o a tender. And things like either a heated or unheated garage may have an effect on battery condition.

Cool thanks, do you have any recommendations for a tender?

[BEM-S4]

Get the bmw one from your dealer. It's not expensive but the battery is, so if you run into trouble they can't blame you for using a third party product on your car.

[overcoil]

https://smartercharger.com.

you can research them at the site above but yes get it at the dealer

[clamfroth]

I've been using a NOCO Genius G3500 since October with no issues

[Liandri]

Mines using a battery tender junior. The car will draw 50ma when asleep so if your battery is good, there's little risk in your situation. Better safe than sorry, the danger is when it discharges completely and the acid turns to water it can freeze. If it does it's pretty much junk after that. So worth the money to get a tender, they're cheap on Amazon, you don't have to get anything more special than this:

https://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tende.../dp/B000CITK8S

[XutvJet]

Originally Posted by simena12

Will my m235i require a battery tender if I'm storing it for winter? I'll take it out maybe 2 times a month (just the nice days) to run it a bit. Would it be neccassary if I didn't use the car for a whole month?

Thanks,
Nick

BMW AGM batteries are expensive as hell. Yes, storing for the winter without a trickle charger is hard on the battery and will reduce it's life. These cars are also hard on their batteries due to the amount of onboard electrical equipment.

Trickle charging the battery will greatly extend its life, especially during the cold months.

I'm running the CTEK 4.3 charger which BMW rebadges as their own. Use it on my wife's Outback 3.6R as well. It's amazing how the low the batteries in my M235 and Outback get once temps drop below 50 and you do a lot of short drives.

[simena12]

Originally Posted by Praetor353

Mines using a battery tender junior. The car will draw 50ma when asleep so if your battery is good, there's little risk in your situation. Better safe than sorry, the danger is when it discharges completely and the acid turns to water it can freeze. If it does it's pretty much junk after that. So worth the money to get a tender, they're cheap on Amazon, you don't have to get anything more special than this:

https://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tende.../dp/B000CITK8S

Originally Posted by Praetor353

Mines using a battery tender junior. The car will draw 50ma when asleep so if your battery is good, there's little risk in your situation. Better safe than sorry, the danger is when it discharges completely and the acid turns to water it can freeze. If it does it's pretty much junk after that. So worth the money to get a tender, they're cheap on Amazon, you don't have to get anything more special than this:

https://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tende.../dp/B000CITK8S

Awesome, thanks for the info.

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

I personally only use my tender for a day or so then leave it off for about 2 weeks. With an AGM battery it won't matter but with some Lead Acid, you tend to lose the water quicker with battery tenders. That being said there are a plethora of "Smart Chargers", some work, some don't. We offer CTEK (not on our site) but if anyone wants one, we can get them.