How to Prepare Your Convertible for Winter

Driving a convertible is a treat, but when you live when it snows, there are a few extra steps you have to take to be able to drive your convertible in the winter. In this video, I talk about and show you steps I take with my BMW Z4 before each winter season. I change to all season tires from my summer performance tires, take care of all the rubber seals in the convertible roof, give the car a good wash, wax it and apply a protective ceramic coating spray for added protection. If you choose to store your car for the winter and not drive it, it should get an oil change, the battery should be put on a battery tender and tires off the concrete. Hope it helps you drive or store your car in the winter as well!
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[@opcb9815]

This is really comprehensive! Filling the tank is definitely a good call as it prevents the build up of condensation in the tank. It’s worth looking at using fuel stabiliser so that the fuel doesn’t go off over the winter. I just use cardboard under the tires on my bikes. Cheaper then carpet but does the same thing. I for one, will be driving the heck out of my zed all winter! Great video. Thanks.

[@SimpleCarGuy]

Yes, you are absolutely right, you want to reduce the volume of air so the fuel doesn't pull moisture from the air. Modern fuel should last about 6 months from what I've read. If the fuel has a lot of ethanol, then a fuel stabilizer could be a good idea. I should have mentioned cardboard as well, that's a good idea! I've been using pieces of carpet for my bike as well as I've had scraps left over from a project. Thanks for watching!

[@jimmyk6336]

Living in So. Cal most of my life I never really knew how good we have it, well for the weather that is. We drive our cars year round and no need for a sacrificial winter car. One thing I didn't see mentioned was a fuel stabilizer, something I use for "my boat" for the winter months. I never heard of the carpet trick for tire flat spots. On my "wife's boat trailer" (stored on concrete) I rotate the tires on the axle once a month always in the same direction, 180 90 180 270 degrees over a 4 month period. Great vid for the cold at heart...

[@NarenPatel]

Nice tips !!

[@MightyMoeBanker]

Great video bud, I own the same vehicle, my question is, is there any way to upgrade the headlights assembly and make them look modern and stealthy? 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@SimpleCarGuy]

Thanks! I wish I had a good answer for this, but every time I have messed with the headlights it has been a major pain or disappointed. Even a good set of aftermarket headlights I installed on my Mini Cooper a few years ago had to be adjusted a few times, rewired and coded out. While they looked amazing, the light performance was not as good as OEM.

[@404notfound.....]

I'm more of a Chevy Silverado 2500 guy with a leveling kit. But ya good advice.

[@rh9583]

I have the exact same interior/exterior colour combo but the 35i tuned to 386 bhp

[@SimpleCarGuy]

That's awesome! Sometimes, I wish I got the 35i too, but I really do like the lightness of the 28i.

[@Tracertme]

I am very lucky, it’s 365 days a year roof down with just a jacket and beanie in the winter.

[@SimpleCarGuy]

Jealous!

[@newbeginnings8566]

I would disagree with filling it up with premium fuel.. I'd say run it close to empty and at the spring season fill it with premium fuel. Gasoline degrades over a few months.. . But I'm open to ideas..

[@SimpleCarGuy]

I'm not an expert, but everything I've read from experts suggests that filling up the tank at about 90% is the best (your car never lets you fill it up much more than that, so we can say, fill it up until it stops). The idea here is that there is less surface area exposed within the tank and a smaller volume of air reduces the potential for condensation. Modern fuel should not go bad for about 6 months.

[@newbeginnings8566]

@@SimpleCarGuy Thanks. I somehow thought gasoline only lasted a couple of months. Condensation is of course best avoided. .. I'll go the 90% fill up next time