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

[MJ85]

For a month, do nothing.

[Baked_bean]

I have no real experience of outdoor covers for cars, but I will say that you would be better off fi you didn’t run the car at all over the month. Unless you can drive the car and warm it through properly (ie not idling) it will do more harm than good.

[vaud]

A month? Nothing.

[dundarach]

Check for food under the seats!

Check that all the doors and boot are actually closed!

Nip through the car wash, just in case there's anything excessively nasty that'll sit and fester!

Check interior lights are off when it's locked!

Other than that she'll be fine!

[Alex_225]

If it's only a month, I'd just clean it inside and out and park it up. Sometimes my car sits for a month without me intending and it's fine, starts no issues either.

3-4 months is a little different but for that I'd not worry about it really.

[steveo3002]

just wash it and park up...starting up will do nothing but make it worse unless its getting a long run and up to full temps

[Chainsaw Rebuild]

A month probably wont matter, but I like to park it in gear and leave the hand brake off in order to prevent it rusting on.

[boyse7en]

My car has been off the road since the first lockdown. I put a trickle charger on it every couple of weeks and start it up maybe once a month, let it idle until up to temperature and then back it down the drive a few times to use the brakes and turn the tyres.

[benm3evo]

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

Cheers,
Ben

[Captain Answer]

Just keep the battery topped up, you'll be fine

[Sheepshanks]

Chainsaw Rebuild said:

A month probably wont matter, but I like to park it in gear and leave the hand brake off in order to prevent it rusting on.

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.

[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

[456mgt]

I would definitely leave the handbrake off if I were you

[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

[DrDeAtH]

benm3evo said:

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

Still chock a wheel in any case

[Sticks.]

Does it have the latest soy-based wire insulation? A friend's new Ford does, which they found out after £2k's worth or wiring damage when it wasn't used for a few weeks.

[GreenV8S]

Sticks. said:

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

What???

[Wombat3]

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.)

[Sticks.]

Wombat3 said:

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.)

Yes, rodents. The car is off the road for weeks waiting for the new wiring. The only good news is that it can be claimed for on most comprehensive policies, I believe.

I use a Ctek 5.0 on my Z4 and the wire can be fed between the front panel and the headlight, so the bonnet can be closed and alarm set.