[JTV]

I am storing my M550i for the winter. It is detailed, full of gas, has fresh oil, is sitting on a thick plastic dropcloth, and has tires inflated to maximum pressure...just figuring out which battery tender to use or if I should bother. Any recommendations? TIA.

[ezaircon4jc]

I would put it on a charger/tender.

[Flint Rockbone]

Definitely put it on a tender if you’re storing it for a long time. Batteries are expensive and a tender is cheap insurance to keep things working well. I use the CTEK charger. You can find them on Amazon. Supposedly they’re the same chargers sold by BMW, just without the branding.

[Joe-BMW33]

Yep, slap a CTEK tender on it. As mentioned, they make them for BMW. It looks identical except for the BMW stamp.

Tires should be fine. Do not put a car cover on it if that is even a consideration. They do more damage than they prevent.

Here is the tender you want. This the one I have. Mine has been a garage queen for two months now. We have AGM batteries.

https://www.amazon.com/CTEK-40-206-5...7-93deae8f9840

[JTV]

I will buy this...is there an "AGM" model, or what should it be set at?

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Yep, slap a CTEK tender on it. As mentioned, they make them for BMW. It looks identical except for the BMW stamp.

Tires should be fine. Do not put a car cover on it if that is even a consideration. They do more damage than they prevent.

Here is the tender you want. This the one I have. Mine has been a garage queen for two months now. We have AGM batteries.

https://www.amazon.com/CTEK-40-206-5...7-93deae8f9840

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by JTV

I will buy this...is there an "AGM" model, or what should it be set at?

The link I posted is the one you want. Just set it to AGM by hitting the Mode button until the AGM light is on.

[Qsilver7]

FYI…hook the battery tender/maintainer to the DEDICATED neg/pos jump start terminals in the engine bay. Do not connect it directly to the battery in the trunk because that hook up would bypass the IBS which is monitoring the battery’s charge.

If you don’t know where these jump start posts are located…check your owners manual…it points them out.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

FYI…hook the battery tender/maintainer to the DEDICATED neg/pos jump start terminals in the engine bay. Do not connect it directly to the battery in the trunk because that hook up would bypass the IBS which is monitoring the battery’s charge.

If you don’t know where these jump start posts are located…check your owners manual…it points them out.

Good point, I guess I assume that does not need to be said.

The positive is the big red plastic box with the PLUS sign on it that pops open, passenger side of the engine bay about 12" off the firewall.. There is not a dedicated negative, but there is chassis bolt right in front of the positive to attach the negative to.

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Good point, I guess I assume that does not need to be said.

Yeah, not for us older forum members…but the newer members may not know or consider the engine bay terminals…or know why they’re supposed to use them.

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

The positive is the big red plastic box with the PLUS sign on it that pops open, passenger side of the engine bay about 12" off the firewall.. There is not a dedicated negative, but there is chassis bolt right in front of the positive to attach the negative to.

BMW switches it around depending on the model…but some have a dedicated hex nut (like in my f15) and some models have a dedicated “pin” like thingy in the engine bay (like my f06). But as previously stated, the owners manual does indicate where to place for negative and positive jump connections in the engine bay. Sometimes owners may select something they THINK is grounded and it may not be…then they end up with a dead battery or failing to be able to jump the battery because there’s no true ground. This is why I usually mention to check your owners manual so that they know exactly where to hook up the ground connection. The positive connection is usually easy because it is under a red cover as you mention.

Some examples of the dedicated ground “pin” in the engine bays of some BMWs that are not the traditional hex bolt:

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

Yeah, not for us older forum members…but the newer members may not know or consider the engine bay terminals…or know why they’re supposed to use them.



BMW switches it around depending on the model…but some have a dedicated hex nut (like in my f15) and some models have a dedicated “pin” like thingy in the engine bay (like my f06). But as previously stated, the owners manual does indicate where to place for negative and positive jump connections in the engine bay. Sometimes owners may select something they THINK is grounded and it may not be…then they end up with a dead battery or failing to be able to jump the battery because there’s no true ground. This is why I usually mention to check your owners manual so that they know exactly where to hook up the ground connection. The positive connection is usually easy because it is under a red cover as you mention.

Some examples of the dedicated ground “pin” in the engine bays of some BMWs that are not the traditional hex bolt:

I'll have to checkout this tiny little #6 bolt to see if it's any better than where I am attaching to now, which is a bolt pretty close to #2 going into the chassis. Tender charges fully, so I know it is a legitimate ground.

From the G30 manual:

[Qsilver7]

[PetieD 7]

https://youtu.be/bIqDU9sQwT8?si=6aua7YAc5rJytbU-

[kosmokratur]

I would also suggest the use of an anti-rodent product. I use an essential oil -based spray. The wiring harness insulation is evidently soy-based, and hungry little creatures are known to snack on them (ask me how I found out).

[2022M550i]

Originally Posted by JTV

I am storing my M550i for the winter. It is detailed, full of gas, has fresh oil, is sitting on a thick plastic dropcloth, and has tires inflated to maximum pressure...just figuring out which battery tender to use or if I should bother. Any recommendations? TIA.

I would start it every couple weeks. Keep the oil on all the parts and oxidation off the cylinder walls

[GSMCCASH]

I use the BMW battery tender, fresh oil but 1/3 tank of gas over winter. Spring arrives, fresh gas is poured into the tank to blend in the older gas.

[mobilegun]

Anyone used the CTEK connectors on the hood connections, and punch the quick connect into the cabin using the CTEK extender? My other cars I use cigarette lighter adapters (since they're always hot), but on the g30, not the case. Would ideally like to be able to connect/disconnect while getting in/out of the car on drivers side, versus popping the hood etc.

I think there might be a larger 3-4" connector above the driver footwell area (which would be perfect), but haven't had a chance to poke around yet.

Have also seen folks using the comfort plugs in the trunk but that isnt recommended per the charging notes in the manual (also requires opening another door/component).

#####

On another, and the original, note, for a car I -do- store for the winter I.... wash/detail, change oil, fill tank and add a couple oz of stabil, sit it on a CTEK MUS 4.3 (MXS5 is great too), overinflate tires to 49/50PSI, park on carpet squares, prop the wipers up a cm or 2, pop battery door, cover exhaust and put a cover on it. Been looking at rodent deterrents but don't like the mothball idea, and things like irish spring don't seem fully proven. Considered using some silica packets inside as well but that's just a thought at this point...

[Mosaud1998]

I have mine sitting in the garage over the winter months also. All I did was toss it on a trickle charger I got from Amazon for $30.

I drive the car when the weather is nice and there's no road salt. Like today. It is super dusty but that's because I don't have a cover on it.

[jsf721]

I DD my 540 so it’s out and about all year. Usually throw. Snow tires one but it’s been so warm I skipped it this year. I do out another toy on a ctek trickle charger