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      12-08-2016, 01:38 PM   #1
SaMaster14
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Car Care During the Winter

Hey guys,

Wondering what special precautions you all take for car care during the winter? I'm at ND for law school and have my M3 out here. I have a good set of all-season tires (and won't be driving much when it's snowing at all regardless), but I'm more concerned with the cold and what precautions I might want to take).

I'll be back in Los Angeles for break during the bulk of December and January, and while my car will be under a car cover and under a roof (apartment parking structure is covered, but above ground, so its 'open' - while the car won't get snowed on, it will get COLD). Other than covering it, is there anything else I should do? (Someone said I needed to treat the car with antifreeze?!?)

Thanks in advance!
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      12-09-2016, 03:09 PM   #2
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I've never had to store a car for an extended period of time in the winter but I know that generally you want to make sure of a few things:

1. Check tire pressure (to prevent flat spots from developing)
2. Check fluid levels and top up if necessary (including oil, antifreeze, etc)
3. Top up fuel tank completely and add fuel stabilizer

Don't remember anything else off the top of my head. Our cars come with lithium-ion batteries and I've heard that they are relatively stable when stored at low temperatures but 2 months is kind of a long time to go IMO without using a trickle charger. If you do decide to use a trickle charger make sure it's the correct one from CTEK that is meant for lithium-ion batteries otherwise you'll end up damaging it.
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      01-02-2017, 09:06 PM   #3
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Buy a beater! Hurts to think about you guys that salt them up
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      01-03-2017, 10:23 AM   #4
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You don't *need* to do anything else. Winter tires and a good wash every so often to get rid of salt is how I've gotten through midwest winters. There is nothing special about the car and like many many other cars it's tested during design in harsh weather environments.
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      01-05-2017, 02:09 AM   #5
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I live over by you lol. I live in Goshen but work in Mishawaka too. I have a MG/SO coming soon as soon as winter wheels get on. Hope to see you around!

Not much to do for winter. Make sure you start it every few weeks or use a heater. I would just drive it. That's what I'm going to do.

LMK if you wanna autocross this summer with the BMWCCA
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      01-05-2017, 11:02 AM   #6
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you northern Indiana folks should come down to Peru, IndySCCA and FWR SCCA all do events at Grissom AFB, in the summer.
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      01-05-2017, 02:24 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kung Fu English View Post
I live over by you lol. I live in Goshen but work in Mishawaka too. I have a MG/SO coming soon as soon as winter wheels get on. Hope to see you around!

Not much to do for winter. Make sure you start it every few weeks or use a heater. I would just drive it. That's what I'm going to do.

LMK if you wanna autocross this summer with the BMWCCA
Will you guys be doing stuff in the spring/fall? My car will be back with me in Los Angeles during the summer!
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      01-05-2017, 10:55 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SaMaster14 View Post
Will you guys be doing stuff in the spring/fall? My car will be back with me in Los Angeles during the summer!
Yea we do. We race at Tire Rack.

Our schedule isn't set yet but it will be soon I'd guess. Usually starts in April and last event in October. Went from April something to Oct 4 last year. Had 2 in September too. Total 6-7 events per year.

Michiana BMWCCA Autocross and Track on facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/michianabmwautocross/
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      01-05-2017, 10:56 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by alz0rz View Post
you northern Indiana folks should come down to Peru, IndySCCA and FWR SCCA all do events at Grissom AFB, in the summer.
yea I used to race with Indy SCCA a bunch when I lived down there. Tore up some tires at Grissom lol. About 2 hours for me to get there but I'll try.
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      01-06-2017, 04:21 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kung Fu English View Post
Yea we do. We race at Tire Rack.

Our schedule isn't set yet but it will be soon I'd guess. Usually starts in April and last event in October. Went from April something to Oct 4 last year. Had 2 in September too. Total 6-7 events per year.

Michiana BMWCCA Autocross and Track on facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/michianabmwautocross/
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