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      10-01-2017, 10:43 PM   #1
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Prepare for Winter! Need advise

Hey guys:
Unfortunately winter is coming our way and I'm planning to put the car into hibernation. I drove the M3 through winter last year with winter tires without any problems. This year, I'm fortunately enough to pick up a Mercedes as winter beater.
Question is: Any recommended trickle charger based on all your experience for the F80s?
I want to buy one and keep the battery tendered!
Thanks guys in advance!
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      10-02-2017, 09:09 AM   #2
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I'm curious about this as well
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      10-02-2017, 09:56 PM   #3
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I have my M3 garaged up without any charger. The winters have been mild so I try and drive it at least once per month in good weather on all season tires.
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      10-02-2017, 10:12 PM   #4
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Get a smart charger that can handle Li-Ion batteries and plug it in for the off-season.
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      10-03-2017, 01:12 PM   #5
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Never put my car into storage either and am wondering if people put their car on jack stands to avoid flat spots on the tires.
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      10-03-2017, 05:34 PM   #6
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looks like I'm going to do a combination of both. I think I just need something more like a CTEK smart charger to keep battery maintained, then still swap out summers to winter tires and leave it plugged in. I will try to drive it at least once per month if weather permits to avoid flat spot on tires.
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      10-11-2017, 01:28 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by johnjiang View Post
looks like I'm going to do a combination of both. I think I just need something more like a CTEK smart charger to keep battery maintained, then still swap out summers to winter tires and leave it plugged in. I will try to drive it at least once per month if weather permits to avoid flat spot on tires.
I have been happy with CTEK, I used this one:

https://smartercharger.com/products/...ek-lithium-us/
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      10-12-2017, 11:32 AM   #8
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I used the same CTEK charger last winter (one for Lithium batteries). I will be switching to my rims with all season tire this weekend to get a couple extra weeks of use til the snow starts to fall. Then the car is filled up with gas, cleaned, covered and parked. If we have a nice mild winter like last year, I got it out at least 1 a month.
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      10-12-2017, 12:21 PM   #9
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Gotta love when MB becomes our winter beater car.
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      10-14-2017, 10:18 AM   #10
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Quote:
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Gotta love when MB becomes our winter beater car.
lol, for sure
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      10-14-2017, 10:55 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kyleb350 View Post
Never put my car into storage either and am wondering if people put their car on jack stands to avoid flat spots on the tires.
You should increase the tire pressure when storing. The suspension should always have a load on it. Some people use things like this. I?m sure there are different price points for them. I’ve seen some before that have wheels on them so you can move your car around or move it closer to a wall/corner of garage.

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      10-16-2017, 10:48 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pic18 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by johnjiang View Post
looks like I'm going to do a combination of both. I think I just need something more like a CTEK smart charger to keep battery maintained, then still swap out summers to winter tires and leave it plugged in. I will try to drive it at least once per month if weather permits to avoid flat spot on tires.
I have been happy with CTEK, I used this one:

https://smartercharger.com/products/...ek-lithium-us/
Good info!!! Glad I read your post before the first one I bought on Amazon. Like @glfwdw said as well, emphasize the "lithium battery" one. I bought the multi purpose one at first and found out its only good for lead acid battery. Not necessarily for all BMWs. Make sure everyone who read this buy the lithium one!
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      10-27-2017, 09:15 AM   #13
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Stored mine last year and will again this year since I have my 135i as the winter beater. Did not use a charger but started it once every other week or so. I did notice a tad bit of hesitation when it would initially start if it sat for a while. When the roads were totally clear I would drive the car around the block 1 or 2 times to get fluids and tires moving. Even with doing that, once I took it out of storage, I could tell there were flat spots on the tires that eventually went away after driving it for a day or two.
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      10-28-2017, 12:48 PM   #14
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Like said before, I recommend li-ion specific trickle charger. It will make sure the battery stays in good condition. As for the 5-6 month period, that is not too long just make sure you have a full tank of gas. If you can find non-ethanol gas then I would highly recommend that as well. If you do start it once a month, make sure the car gets to temp, does no good to just start it and shut it off after 20-30 seconds.
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      11-11-2017, 01:36 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MRV99 View Post
Like said before, I recommend li-ion specific trickle charger. It will make sure the battery stays in good condition. As for the 5-6 month period, that is not too long just make sure you have a full tank of gas. If you can find non-ethanol gas then I would highly recommend that as well. If you do start it once a month, make sure the car gets to temp, does no good to just start it and shut it off after 20-30 seconds.
Awesome suggestion! Just curious, if you don't mind explain, what would the benefit be with full tank of gas. (I'm ashamed of my current 3/4 tank gas left in the M)
Thanks in advance.
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      11-11-2017, 02:38 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by johnjiang View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by MRV99 View Post
Like said before, I recommend li-ion specific trickle charger. It will make sure the battery stays in good condition. As for the 5-6 month period, that is not too long just make sure you have a full tank of gas. If you can find non-ethanol gas then I would highly recommend that as well. If you do start it once a month, make sure the car gets to temp, does no good to just start it and shut it off after 20-30 seconds.
Awesome suggestion! Just curious, if you don't mind explain, what would the benefit be with full tank of gas. (I'm ashamed of my current 3/4 tank gas left in the M)
Thanks in advance.
Less air in the tank means less condensation buildup from the water vapor in the air.
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      11-15-2017, 01:36 PM   #17
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I don't store my M but stored a Porsche for a number of years. My process:

1) Make sure you clean the car before storage and add a cover if possible.
2) Full tank of gas, add a fuel stabilizer
3) Over inflate the tires to avoid flat spots
4) Block tail pipes with cloth, very common for mice to go in exhaust
5) Battery maintainer as already discussed
6) Don't periodically start the car, just leave it
7) I usually put a block behind wheels and didn't pull parking brake, to avoid seizing.
8) Throw a couple of desiccant bags in foot wells to absorb any moisture.
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      12-26-2017, 11:20 AM   #18
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Desiccant bags are an excellent idea!

Also, i appreciate the idea of over-inflating the tires.

Two new tips learned--thank you, group.
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      01-02-2018, 06:25 PM   #19
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It's been so cold and I don't think I will get to drive it for a while so I bought and plugged in a CTEK charger today.
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      01-02-2018, 06:27 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by drburton View Post
I don't store my M but stored a Porsche for a number of years. My process:

1) Make sure you clean the car before storage and add a cover if possible.
2) Full tank of gas, add a fuel stabilizer
3) Over inflate the tires to avoid flat spots
4) Block tail pipes with cloth, very common for mice to go in exhaust
5) Battery maintainer as already discussed
6) Don't periodically start the car, just leave it
7) I usually put a block behind wheels and didn't pull parking brake, to avoid seizing.
8) Throw a couple of desiccant bags in foot wells to absorb any moisture.
Great list. Thanks for sharing
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      01-02-2018, 06:39 PM   #21
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Great advise. Doing the same
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      01-02-2018, 07:13 PM   #22
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Just bought my m3 on Saturday waiting for tirerack to deliver my snow shoes on Thursday (hopefully) but thanks for the advice above.
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