What's your "on the road again" routine?

[GammaZeta]

With the (thankfully) warm and snow-less winter we are having in New England, I am counting the days until the new Z4M is back on the road full-time.

And with it being back on the road, comes my "Spring" routine to prep it:

1. Safety and mechanical inspection by BMW tech at indy shop, alignment if necessary

2. Buy a few goodies (ZHP, aFe CAI, new windscreen, DICE)

3. Do a complete detail:
Clay
Swirl removal if necessary
Dr. Colorchip
Klasse All-In-One
Klasse High Gloss
Meguiar's Ultimate Liquid Wax
S100 (better known as P21)
Clean top
Good vacuuming
Leather treatment with Lexol
Plastic treatment with 303
Take it to the self-carwash, use the sprayer to do undercarriage and
wheel wells

4. Check tires and air pressure

5. Check battery

6. Reorganize my play lists

7. DRIVE!!!

So what is your Spring routine to get the Z4 back on the road again???

[mousitch]

Originally Posted by GammaZeta

With the (thankfully) warm and snow-less winter we are having in New England, I am counting the days until the new Z4M is back on the road full-time.

And with it being back on the road, comes my "Spring" routine to prep it:

1. Safety and mechanical inspection by BMW tech at indy shop, alignment if necessary

2. Buy a few goodies (ZHP, aFe CAI, new windscreen, DICE)

3. Do a complete detail:
Clay
Swirl removal if necessary
Dr. Colorchip
Klasse All-In-One
Klasse High Gloss
Meguiar's Ultimate Liquid Wax
S100 (better known as P21)
Clean top
Good vacuuming
Leather treatment with Lexol
Plastic treatment with 303
Take it to the self-carwash, use the sprayer to do undercarriage and
wheel wells

4. Check tires and air pressure

5. Check battery

6. Reorganize my play lists

7. DRIVE!!!

So what is your Spring routine to get the Z4 back on the road again???

Oil change and deflate winter tire pressure from storage. Then Mod away!

[tekmoe]

I would skip all that boring shit and go straight to #7.

[Huz-Z]

Originally Posted by tekmoe

I would skip all that boring shit and go straight to #7.

LOL!! Ditto!

1. Start engine.
2. Engage transmission.
3. Depress gas pedal firmly.
4. Grin broadly.
5. Laugh maniacally. Muhuhaha!!!
6. Repeat steps 2 through 5 as needed.

The Ultimate infinite Do-Loop!!!

[GammaZeta]

Yes, but failure to take appropriate preventative measures could lead to another very, very unfortunate step:

7. Bring car into mechanic for 2 weeks to fix engine/transmission/etc.

[Pheonix]

I did all those prior to put the car away then any mods would be added during the winter time. Once the weather gets nice, the only things I do is check the fluids, check for leaks, adjust tires pressure. Then Drive away

[Huz-Z]

Originally Posted by GammaZeta

Yes, but failure to take appropriate preventative measures could lead to another very, very unfortunate step:

7. Bring car into mechanic for 2 weeks to fix engine/transmission/etc.

Yeah, I know. I was just playin' in my post above. I baby my car like crazy, believe me!

[gcochard]

I check my tires, suspension, and engine after every autocross (yes we have those in the winter down here).
Wash every week or two depending on how often it gets out of the garage.
Battery is cycled often enough to be just fine.
iPod gets wifi sync in the car, so playlists are always up to date.

So I guess my list is the same as Huz-Z.

[tekmoe]

Originally Posted by GammaZeta

Yes, but failure to take appropriate preventative measures could lead to another very, very unfortunate step:

7. Bring car into mechanic for 2 weeks to fix engine/transmission/etc.

Hang up your purse, Nancy.

[BMW Maniac]

I get back in June, and my car is living the life in Orlando, FL. When I get it back, I'll make the 12 hour drive back to Louisville, KY. Once there, here is the plan:

Replace front rotors
Replace missing headlight washer cover
Replace broken headlight washer
Full detail

VT-445 or 500 hopefully in July!

[Ovaltine]

Originally Posted by GammaZeta

1. Safety and mechanical inspection by BMW tech at indy shop, alignment if necessary

Overkill if only sitting for a couple of months...

Unplug battery tender.
Check fluid levels and/or look for puddles under car.
Inspect exhaust pipe for evidence of small critters.
Check air pressure.
Wash.
Drive.

[GammaZeta]

Originally Posted by tekmoe

Hang up your purse, Nancy.

I thought that would get a rise out of some!

We wouldn't be on this board if we didn't take care of our cars already.

I can't imagine someone throwing down 60g's and not caring for the car.....even though it happens (see 1,200 inspection).

[partlowr]

1) Installing all the stuff I have been purchasing all winter, wheels, tires, springs, shocks, exhaust, cold air intake, front lip spoiler & rear lip spoiler(both out for paint right now).

2) Called my insurance guy at State Farm today and told him to re-activate my full coverage effective on March 1st, I only have comprehensive over the winter since the car is parked in my garage from November 1 - March 1.

3) Called my favorite detail shop and scheduled a full "Showroom Shine" detail package that includes stripping of old wax and polish, clay bar, polish and wax, full interior cleaning including shampoo carpets and mats, clean and condition all leather and steam clean the canvas soft top.

4) Called my local BMW only Indy shop to schedule Mobile1 oil change, a trans fluid change and radiator coolant flush and fill and an allignment for the new springs.

5) Drive and Enjoy for the next 8-9 months

[dubsesd]

dont any of you change the oil BEFORE storage? that just makes more sense than changing it in the spring...

[Caddyshk]

Originally Posted by dubsesd

dont any of you change the oil BEFORE storage? that just makes more sense than changing it in the spring...

Why? Not starting or driving it for 4-5 months in our weather will create some condensation in the crankcase during storage... Start fresh!

[dubsesd]

since you have to change the oil at operating temperature, you cant change the oil "properly" until driving the car. after a whole summer of use the car sits and all the contaminants sit at the bottom. once you start your car everything thats at the base of the motor starts working its way through the motor. it just doesnt seem right to me. i guess either way works

[Caddyshk]

Originally Posted by dubsesd

since you have to change the oil at operating temperature, you cant change the oil "properly" until driving the car. after a whole summer of use the car sits and all the contaminants sit at the bottom. once you start your car everything thats at the base of the motor starts working its way through the motor. it just doesnt seem right to me. i guess either way works

Almost makes it sound like we should change it before and after - Where's that cheap 10w-60

[Caddyshk]

Of course if the filter is doing its job

[dubsesd]

Originally Posted by Caddyshk

Almost makes it sound like we should change it before and after - Where's that cheap 10w-60

lol, thats what i was thinkning. my car sits in a humidity controlled garage at 10 degrees celsius, so i dont think condensation is a big concern.

[Kgolf31]

1. Detail (Done already)
2. Oil Change
3. Brake Fluid Change
4. Lower Pressure in Tires
5. Take off DD Tires and mount the RS3s to wear them in a bit (Track Tires)

[G80indy]

Originally Posted by Pheonix

I did all those prior to put the car away then any mods would be added during the winter time. Once the weather gets nice, the only things I do is check the fluids, check for leaks, adjust tires pressure. Then Drive away

+1

[mshanno1]

My car is never off the road! It was 72 today!