|
|
10-21-2011, 03:10 PM | #1 |
Private
17
Rep 88
Posts |
Winter Storage
It's getting close to the time when I put my Z down for the winter. Should I be adding stabilizer to the fuel? It is stored in a heated garage, and I do start it up every few weeks and run the engine up to temperature, but I am wondering about stabilizing the fuel to protect from the hygroscopic effects of E10 (ethanol).
The benefits of fuel stabilization are obvious, but are there any drawbacks in terms of effect on the fuel system? |
10-21-2011, 03:46 PM | #2 |
Colonel
245
Rep 2,387
Posts |
It can't hurt to add stabilizer. There is no need to start the car up every few weeks. In fact it can be bad. Just hook it up to a trickle charger so the battery won't drain and you're good to go.
__________________
2016 340i XDrive, EBII/black, 6 MT, M Sport, Track Handling, Cold Weather, Tech, Lighting, Driver Assistance Plus.
2012 Z4 35i, ED 2/24/2012, Melbourne Red Metallic, Black Leather, Carbon Trim, 6MT, M Sport, CW, PP, PS, NAV, CA. |
Appreciate
0
|
10-21-2011, 04:16 PM | #4 |
Happy Camper
613
Rep 7,869
Posts
Drives: C63 AMG & 280 SL on Weekends :
Join Date: May 2010
Location: GTA, Ontario - Canada
iTrader: (0)
Garage List 1969 Restored Merce ... [7.50]
2011 M3 Coupe TRADED [7.34] 1987 BMW 535is [1.00] Cars from the Past [6.50] The ///M3 Engine S65 [9.59] |
I asked this exact question of my very experienced SA when I drove the Z4 30is, he drives a Porsche and also stores it in the winter time.
His advise was ... Increase air pressure all around by 4 to 5 PSI above recommended and remove the battery. I did exactly that and again the next winter on my Z4 35i and all was well. However, on the Z4 35i I could not resist and take her out here and them on dry days in order to do it I did purchase a set of winter rims and tires. It will be difficult to hide such a fine car under a winter cover
__________________
Cheers, Rolf-Dieter
Life will take us to some interesting places, fortunately The ///M3 will too with a many of us know this very well, now my C6.3 AMG with 487 HP does it too ---> Click here for some good stuff I found |
Appreciate
0
|
10-21-2011, 04:20 PM | #5 |
Major
54
Rep 1,014
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
10-21-2011, 10:13 PM | #6 |
Captain
27
Rep 676
Posts |
1. Use fuel stabilizer
2. Keep tire pressure high 3. Use a battery trickle charger 4. Don't start the engine unless you intend to drive the car 5. Wash it, wax it then cover it 6. Watch for rodents; put mothballs or rat poison under the hood; plug the exhaust
__________________
2010 BMW Z4 s35i
2014 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 2013 Volvo XC90 |
Appreciate
0
|
10-21-2011, 10:32 PM | #7 |
Colonel
245
Rep 2,387
Posts |
If you still have RFT's on your car it's unnecessary to increase tire pressure. There's no concern about developing a flat spot because the sidewalls are so stiff.
__________________
2016 340i XDrive, EBII/black, 6 MT, M Sport, Track Handling, Cold Weather, Tech, Lighting, Driver Assistance Plus.
2012 Z4 35i, ED 2/24/2012, Melbourne Red Metallic, Black Leather, Carbon Trim, 6MT, M Sport, CW, PP, PS, NAV, CA. |
Appreciate
0
|
10-23-2011, 10:53 AM | #8 |
Lieutenant
119
Rep 512
Posts
Drives: 2020 Z4 M4Misano Blue
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: New Hampshire & Cozumel, Mexico
|
I typically store it overnight in the barn and drive it during the day all winter.
__________________
2004 E85 Z4 3.0 Sport - Sold to brother | 2004 E83 X3 xDrive3.0i - Gone | 2011 E89 Z4 35is - Gone | 2011 F25 X3 xDrive35i - Gone | 2014 E89 Z4 E89 35is - Gone | 2014 F25 X3 xDrive 30i X3 - Gone | 2017 F83 M4 Cabriolet - Gone | 2017 F25 X3 xDrive30i - Gone
2020 G29 Z4 M40i Misanoblau | 2020 G01 M40i Phytonicblau Casa Suzana, vacation rental villa in Cozumel, Mexico |
Appreciate
0
|
10-24-2011, 08:09 AM | #9 |
Major General
1910
Rep 5,103
Posts |
and...DON'T remove the battery. Just hook-up your trickle charger. If you disconnect the battery, you'll lose all your current settings. PITA to reset everything the way you had it (seats, mirrors, anything in iDrive etc).
And no need to increase tire pressure for your run-flats. If you have non-runflats, buy yourself some tire cradles; picked up a set last year and they work great. Dave
__________________
'11 Z4 30i (retired);'11 X3 28i (retired); '15 M235i Stage 1 Dinan (recalled & crushed); '16 M235i Stage 3 Dinan (retired); '15 X3 28i (retired); '14 328i (retired), 2019 X3M40i (retired); Loaded '18 X1 (retired); Loaded '20 X3MC DG, Black/Tan Merino (retired); Loaded '23 X1 Cape York green and Red/Black interior; '23 Audi A4 Allroad Progressiv
|
Appreciate
0
|
10-24-2011, 09:36 AM | #11 |
Colonel
245
Rep 2,387
Posts |
Under the hood is far easier, but I guess it really doesn't matter if you want to open up the battery compartment.
__________________
2016 340i XDrive, EBII/black, 6 MT, M Sport, Track Handling, Cold Weather, Tech, Lighting, Driver Assistance Plus.
2012 Z4 35i, ED 2/24/2012, Melbourne Red Metallic, Black Leather, Carbon Trim, 6MT, M Sport, CW, PP, PS, NAV, CA. |
Appreciate
0
|
10-24-2011, 12:18 PM | #12 |
Major General
1910
Rep 5,103
Posts |
I'm pretty certain it's recommended to hook-up the trickle charger to the terminals in the engine bay.
Dave
__________________
'11 Z4 30i (retired);'11 X3 28i (retired); '15 M235i Stage 1 Dinan (recalled & crushed); '16 M235i Stage 3 Dinan (retired); '15 X3 28i (retired); '14 328i (retired), 2019 X3M40i (retired); Loaded '18 X1 (retired); Loaded '20 X3MC DG, Black/Tan Merino (retired); Loaded '23 X1 Cape York green and Red/Black interior; '23 Audi A4 Allroad Progressiv
|
Appreciate
0
|
10-24-2011, 12:31 PM | #13 |
Private
2
Rep 92
Posts |
Last year was my first season of winter storage in an insulated, but not heated, garage. I used a trickle charger connected to the terminal in engine bay, and also used fuel stabilizer . Worked perfect, and car was good as new in the spring- started right up with no problems.
I also covered the car with a cheap cover to keep the dust and dirt off. |
Appreciate
0
|
05-05-2013, 11:34 AM | #14 |
Major
82
Rep 1,264
Posts
Drives: 2010 Dinan S3 Z4-35i
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: San Francisco, CA
|
I found the positive under the hood, where is the negative or ground? I need to store my cars since I will be in Europe for 6 months. I found it in the M3, but I can't seem to find it in the Z4.
__________________
2015 BMW i3 REX
|
Appreciate
0
|
05-05-2013, 11:43 AM | #15 |
Major
82
Rep 1,264
Posts
Drives: 2010 Dinan S3 Z4-35i
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: San Francisco, CA
|
Nevermind - I just found the negative post. lol
__________________
2015 BMW i3 REX
|
Appreciate
0
|
05-06-2013, 12:44 AM | #16 |
Lieutenant General
3187
Rep 10,509
Posts |
I used to store my mc in the winters... One other thing I would do is change the oil. Probably an "old wives' tale" kind of thing but I was told by motorcycle mechanic that "impurities" in the oil should not be allowed to sit in the engine all winter.
Personally, I do everything suggested above but when possible I drive the car up to full operation temperature, top up gas and add more stabil. I've had less problems in spring when I ran the bike a few times than when I let it sit all winter |
Appreciate
0
|
05-06-2013, 05:39 AM | #17 |
Private
3
Rep 86
Posts |
There is no need to do anything if storing over winter its only a couple of months, just make sure you don't put the car away wet and watch for rodents as a friend had a family of mice make their nest in his Z3Ms engine bay and spent the winter eating the wiring. Give the Zed a good run before storing,
I had the Z4 stored from beginning of November until end of March, hooked up to a CTEK charger and just leave the EPB off and chock the wheels. The fuel and fluids will be fine unless your leaving it over 12 months or more. Worst thing to do is go starting the engine and leaving it to idle as you will get water in the exhaust and cylinder head etc. Tim. |
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
|
|