Properly Storing a Car

[hamann318is]

So I've got my winter/school beater finally, and I was wondering what sort of things I should do in storing the E30. I have a garage that it's going to be stored in, and the only thing I'm aware of doing is I should disconnect the battery and not use the parking brake.

Do you guys have any other tips for storing a car? I'm going to say that the car isn't going to be driven for at least 2 months at a time. Nothing serious, I know, but why not make sure it's going to be stored correctly?

[Dave]

So I've got my winter/school beater finally, and I was wondering what sort of things I should do in storing the E30. I have a garage that it's going to be stored in, and the only thing I'm aware of doing is I should disconnect the battery and not use the parking brake.

Do you guys have any other tips for storing a car? I'm going to say that the car isn't going to be driven for at least 2 months at a time. Nothing serious, I know, but why not make sure it's going to be stored correctly?

One thing I ran into when storing my cabby was flat spotting on the tires. Some say to put it up on jack stands to avoid this, but I am not sure if that is bad for the shocks.

[Beej '86 325es]

Explain "flat spotting the tires".

[Dave]

Explain "flat spotting the tires".

They literally get a flat spot in them from sitting in the same spot for an extended period of time.

I was skeptical about it until it happened to me when the car sat for four months.

[hamann318is]

I suppose I can throw it on the old weaves, but the tires are almost shot on the Ronals. Hmmm...

[Beej '86 325es]

They literally get a flat spot in them from sitting in the same spot for an extended period of time.

I was skeptical about it until it happened to me when the car sat for four months.

So does it totally destroy a tire, or can it be rebalanced to fix it? My car was sitting for like 3 months also, and I had got a couple of really low tires. Granted, it's got some stiff 35 series sidewalls, but I don't know if that'll help.

[Dave]

So does it totally destroy a tire, or can it be rebalanced to fix it? My car's been sitting for like 4 months, and I've got a couple of really low tires. Granted, it's got some stiff 35 series sidewalls, but I don't know if that'll help.

It basically made an unpleaseant noise for a week or so and then was back to normal.

[///M42 sport]

overinflat the tires then. I'm not sure if storing on jackstands is good for the bushing and such.

[SchnellerVert]

Tire cradles help stopping this. But I can tell you that it happens as I had to pick up my Brothers 2500 GMC and it has 295-50-20's and it had sat for 2 months and the vibration was mad for the first 200 miles. After awhile it smooths out.

I have heard you can try to over inflate the tires to prevent this. It would help being for every 10 degrees below 32 degrees tires begin to loose pressure.

[DarkWing6]

Clean it. Polish and wax if possible, but at least wash, dry and vacuum.

[Beej '86 325es]

interesting. The car will probably be sitting for another 5-6 months, so maybe I'll go put air in them and set them off to the side. Maybe by the time I actually get to drive it again, they'll be alright.

but yeah, i'd disconnect the battery.

[SchnellerVert]

Decon in the engine bay. Close the exhaust of w ith a rubber ballon keeps moisture out. Desicant in the interior to asorb moisture. Fill the fuel tank and add stabile to it prior to filling the tank. Or add some Marvel mystery oil to fuel system.

[///M42 sport]

what about coolant and oil? should these be flushed and drained? plugging up the tailpipes is a good idea to prevent mice from getting in there.

[KangamangusDriver]

Fresh Oil !
No moisture from condensation that can build up over time

[equate975]

Ah good tips guys I just put my m3 in the warehouse for winter. Since the tires are more than shot I dont care about flat spots, they are coming off right when the car comes out.

Get a big blue tarp and put it under the car, it will keep the moisture from coming up from under the cement and getting into the car. The mechanic at the dealer told me he stored a car for winter without a tarp and the clutch got rusted up and sticky, wouldnt engauge properly.

And again add stabil.

What were you guys saying about "Decon" the engine bay? Good idea to get some desiccant to throw inside the car!