Parking the car up for a month, anything I should do?

[benm3evo]

Hi all,

I'm taking my e92 M3 off the road for a month, it's not going to be used so thought I might as well save a bit of tax.

Car is kept outside, I use a car cover, I know there's mixed opinions on these but I've used one for a couple of years now. I can't leave a trickle charger connected but will be able to connect one up over the weekends when I'm at home.

Is it worth starting the car & let it get warm once a week perhaps?

Thanks,
Ben

[benm3evo]

Perfect, thanks for all the replies. I will do as advised. I did think I was probably over-thinking a bit!

Cheers,
Ben

[benm3evo]

Sheepshanks said:

I don't know how mch difference it makes in reality, but I have a car I don't use much and try and avoid leaving it with the brake discs wet - so take it for a little run after washing it.

Yeah, good point thanks. I've had the discs covered in surface rust if I've washed it & left it for a couple of days in the past so I'll definitely do that.

Cheers,
Ben

[benm3evo]

456mgt said:

I would definitely leave the handbrake off if I were you

Yep done that also thanks, it's DCT so in park anyway.

Cheers, Ben

[benm3evo]

Wombat3 said:

GreenV8S said:

Sticks. said:

£2k's worth or wiring damage when it wasn't used for a few weeks.

What???

The stuff smells/tastes good to rodents.

For the OP, the only concern would be the battery going south. In days gone by not really a problem, but with more modern stuff it can be a compete ball-ache. I would investigate that & either get a trickle charger/conditioner or disconnect it (but that might also play havoc with any alarm/immobiliser so go carefully there.)

Funnily enough, I changed the thermostat in it a few weeks ago & I noticed some bread sat in the valley of the V of the engine. My first (dopey) thought was I can't believe the bloke who built the car had his lunch half way through!.....then I realised I used to put stale bread out for the birds which is right next to where the car is parked so it looks like a mouse had decided the V was a nice place to live!

The car has sometimes stood for a week or so, so I guess I had used it just in time before Mr mouse had taken a fancy to some of the nice tasty wiring etc.

Needless to say, the birds go hungry now I'm afraid. I've also got a Dog now (a terrier) so I think he will help deter any future squatters!

Cheers,
Ben

[benm3evo]

Baldchap said:

If you have the ability to lock it with a key, I'd disconnect one of the battery terminals to stop things like alarms and stereos draining it, as they're never the same once they do go flat. Probably get away with a month, but why chance it for something so simple?

I've got a Ctek charger which I'll be able to connect up on the weekends, I can't leave it connected all the time but I'm hoping that will be enough. It had a full charge a couple of weeks back too.

I had a feeling that they didn't like having the battery disconnected too, i.e problems when you reconnect, but I might have dreamt that!

Cheers,
Ben