Do you park your car outside in the winter?

Waoudi · 10-22-2018, 08:44 AM

All,

I'm planning on parking my car outside this winter and I'm wondering what people do to offer some protection to the car. I live in Nashville so Snow is rare but cold temperatures are common.

Anyone use the car cover daily? How risky is it on the paint?

Should I invest in Ceramic pro? Does that help?

Thanks in advance.

jzhu625 · 10-22-2018, 08:59 AM

a layer of wax will do the job.

JamesMA · 10-22-2018, 09:52 PM

I would not park outside if I could avoid it, but how about a car cover if you have to park outside.

hellokitty · 10-23-2018, 12:22 AM

I ceramic coated both my cars... totally worth it if you plan on keeping it a long time

RoundelM3 · 10-23-2018, 07:40 AM

Only when it's not in my garage, same as any other season. That's what garages are for.

minn19 · 10-23-2018, 07:50 AM

I do when I'm at work. I got a ceramic coating for longevity and easier maintenance. Supposedly it helps with snow removal because it is a bit slicker than most waxes, but I have yet to find out. The only other car I got ceramic coated never saw snow so I don't know for sure how it will do. I'll find out soon though.

hinckley · 10-23-2018, 09:04 AM

My M4 is my winter car and it's parked outside through the entire season. I'm not sure what your concern is. Snow and cold doesn't impact a car's finish in the least. Parking outside in the summer under the hot sun, tree sap and bird poop is much, much more damaging to a car's paint finish.

farg · 10-23-2018, 11:26 AM

My experience with Nashville winters tells me you have no problem. My experience with Nashville drivers when its snows tells me to stay off the road. Their lack of experience and the lack of municipal equipment for snow removal make driving there in the rare snowfall a high risk endeavor.

cfung0517 · 10-23-2018, 11:31 AM

I park my car outside. Just make sure the car is clean before you cover it so the dirt won't be rubbed around.

unfoundnemo · 10-23-2018, 11:59 AM

As others have said, summer exposure is likely worse than winter exposure. A good coat of wax before the season should be fine, ceramic pro would be better if possible, especially if you don't plan on keeping up a wash/detail regiment throughout the entire season.

I'd stay away from a car cover for daily use. They're great for an extended time, but if you're going to drive the car daily and not detail before you place the cover every time than it will do more harm than good.

Sassicaia · 10-23-2018, 12:14 PM

Probably one the biggest contributing factor to paint quality deteriorating is leaving it outside in weather.

jmg · 10-23-2018, 12:16 PM

Ditto, I think the sun is more damaging. Can you get a temporary car port? They're like $300 at walmart.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Abba-Pati...18&athena=true

SMGCFP · 10-24-2018, 06:39 AM

No. But when I did park outdoors when I was in an apartment, I found the exterior of the car sustained much more wear and tear. Door dings, paint (sun, rain, snow), things like that. I think they've improved automotive paint since then, however.

Mark'sM3 · 10-24-2018, 07:51 AM

I think the key during the winter months is to put a good coat of wax on before the season starts and then to consistently get it a hand wash facility at least once a week, if not twice. This has really worked for me and keeps my sanity in check since I hate dirty cars

DML · 10-24-2018, 08:48 AM

I used to fret over this in the past, then I matured. A coat of wax and keeping it off the hi ways should suffice.

CanAutM3 · 10-24-2018, 09:11 AM

It is actually better to park the car outside in winter. The constant freeze and thaw cycle is actually pretty bad for corrosion.

10-22-2018, 08:44 AM	#1
Waoudi Private First Class 23 Rep 193 Posts Drives: '17 X5 MSport, '16 M3 ZCP Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Nashville, TN iTrader: (0)	Do you park your car outside in the winter? All, I'm planning on parking my car outside this winter and I'm wondering what people do to offer some protection to the car. I live in Nashville so Snow is rare but cold temperatures are common. Anyone use the car cover daily? How risky is it on the paint? Should I invest in Ceramic pro? Does that help? Thanks in advance.
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10-22-2018, 08:59 AM	#2
jzhu625 Lieutenant 119 Rep 443 Posts Drives: f83 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Long island iTrader: (0)	a layer of wax will do the job.
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10-22-2018, 09:52 PM	#3
JamesMA Lieutenant 81 Rep 436 Posts Drives: 2018 F80 ZCP Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: MA iTrader: (0)	I would not park outside if I could avoid it, but how about a car cover if you have to park outside. __________________ 2023 G80 ///M3x Comp. BSM on Black M Brakes Gone: 2018 F80 ///M3 ZCP 6 MT, 2013 F30 335i 6MT M-Sport
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10-23-2018, 12:22 AM	#4
hellokitty Brigadier General 2896 Rep 3,726 Posts Drives: '17 M3 ZCP DCT Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Southern California iTrader: (2)	I ceramic coated both my cars... totally worth it if you plan on keeping it a long time __________________ 2017 F80 M3 ZCP / AA GESI DPs / Akrapovic Evo / BBS FI-R 19" / Bend Calibration ECUTEK Flex Fuel \| Bilstein B16 DDC + CS EDC / BMC Filters / BMS OCC / CSF HE / ESS CP / Nitto NT555R2 / PD Crank Hub / SPL Suspension / Uniden R7 / Wagner Top Mount IC 2021 Mini GP3 / BMC Filters / BM3 / Cary Jordan E30 / Wagner IC / Remus Race
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10-23-2018, 07:40 AM	#5
RoundelM3 Major General 1837 Rep 6,990 Posts Drives: 15 F80 M3, 22 G01 X3 30i Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Clayton, NC iTrader: (2) Garage List 2022 BMW X3 [9.83] 2015 BMW M3 [6.50]	Only when it's not in my garage, same as any other season. That's what garages are for. __________________ 2015 F80 ///M3 Sedan 7DCT Tanzanite, 2022 X3 sDrive30i 8AT Brooklyn Grey
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10-23-2018, 07:50 AM	#6
minn19 Lieutenant General 14035 Rep 10,080 Posts Drives: 24 Z06, 23 CT4VBW, 22 PFinder Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Minnesota iTrader: (0)	I do when I'm at work. I got a ceramic coating for longevity and easier maintenance. Supposedly it helps with snow removal because it is a bit slicker than most waxes, but I have yet to find out. The only other car I got ceramic coated never saw snow so I don't know for sure how it will do. I'll find out soon though.
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10-23-2018, 09:04 AM	#7
hinckley Brigadier General 3493 Rep 3,213 Posts Drives: '24 M4C Conv Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: South Florida iTrader: (1)	My M4 is my winter car and it's parked outside through the entire season. I'm not sure what your concern is. Snow and cold doesn't impact a car's finish in the least. Parking outside in the summer under the hot sun, tree sap and bird poop is much, much more damaging to a car's paint finish. __________________ CURRENT: '24 M4C Conv RETIRED : '23 M8C Conv \| '20 X4 M40i \| '18 M4 6MT \| '13 M5 6MT \| '08 550i 6MT \| '04 545i 6MT \| '98 540i 6MT \| '94 530i 5MT \| '84 528e 5MT Other retirees from Chevrolet, Buick, Subaru, Honda, Acura, Merkur(!), Volvo, Saab, Audi and Porsche
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10-23-2018, 11:26 AM	#8
farg Enlisted Member 60 Rep 46 Posts Drives: 2018 F80 M3 Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Oregon iTrader: (0)	My experience with Nashville winters tells me you have no problem. My experience with Nashville drivers when its snows tells me to stay off the road. Their lack of experience and the lack of municipal equipment for snow removal make driving there in the rare snowfall a high risk endeavor.
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10-23-2018, 11:31 AM	#9
cfung0517 Enlisted Member 15 Rep 30 Posts Drives: 2016 MW F80 M3 Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Northern VA iTrader: (0)	I park my car outside. Just make sure the car is clean before you cover it so the dirt won't be rubbed around.
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10-23-2018, 11:59 AM	#10
unfoundnemo Colonel 1909 Rep 2,007 Posts Drives: 2022 i4 M50 Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Pennsylvania iTrader: (0) Garage List 2022 BMW i4 M50 [0.00] 2022 BMW X7 [0.00]	As others have said, summer exposure is likely worse than winter exposure. A good coat of wax before the season should be fine, ceramic pro would be better if possible, especially if you don't plan on keeping up a wash/detail regiment throughout the entire season. I'd stay away from a car cover for daily use. They're great for an extended time, but if you're going to drive the car daily and not detail before you place the cover every time than it will do more harm than good. __________________ Current: 2022 i4 M50 \| 2022 G07 X7 Gone: 2020 F92 M8 \| 2020 G07 X7 \| 2018 F80 M3 \| 2017 F15 X5 \| 2016 F16 X6 \| 2015 F36 4 series GC
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10-23-2018, 12:14 PM	#11
Sassicaia Brigadier General 4453 Rep 3,308 Posts Drives: SMB F80 6MT Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Vancouver, Canada iTrader: (0)	Probably one the biggest contributing factor to paint quality deteriorating is leaving it outside in weather.
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10-23-2018, 12:16 PM	#12
jmg Lieutenant General 18704 Rep 14,115 Posts Drives: G82 M4C X-Drive Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2022 G82 M4C X-Drive [9.85] 2018 F80 M3 CS [9.87] 2019 i3 BEV [0.00]	Ditto, I think the sun is more damaging. Can you get a temporary car port? They're like $300 at walmart. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Abba-Pati...18&athena=true __________________ 2022 G82///M4 Competition X-Drive - KW-HAS, EBC Bluestuff, Millway Race Camber Plates, Cup2 Connect, PSI High Flow Midpipe, Lightweight Front Lip, M Perf Flow Through Wing Previous • 2018 F80 ///M3 CS • 2016 F80 ///*M3 IG: Raging_G82
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10-24-2018, 06:39 AM	#13
SMGCFP Lieutenant 585 Rep 512 Posts Drives: '20 F82 M4 '23 G05 x40i MSport Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Helena, MT/Albany, NY iTrader: (0)	No. But when I did park outdoors when I was in an apartment, I found the exterior of the car sustained much more wear and tear. Door dings, paint (sun, rain, snow), things like that. I think they've improved automotive paint since then, however.
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10-24-2018, 07:51 AM	#14
Mark'sM3 Private 33 Rep 64 Posts Drives: YAS M3 Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Chicagoland iTrader: (0)	I think the key during the winter months is to put a good coat of wax on before the season starts and then to consistently get it a hand wash facility at least once a week, if not twice. This has really worked for me and keeps my sanity in check since I hate dirty cars __________________ Tomorrow is Not Promised. Increase the Peace. Be the Change You Want to See in the World.
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10-24-2018, 08:48 AM	#15
DML Colonel 968 Rep 2,017 Posts Drives: 2020 Heritage Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Darien CT. iTrader: (0)	I used to fret over this in the past, then I matured. A coat of wax and keeping it off the hi ways should suffice.
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10-24-2018, 09:11 AM	#16
CanAutM3 General 21117 Rep 20,741 Posts Drives: 2021 911 turbo Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Montreal iTrader: (1) Garage List 2022 Audi RS6 [10.00] 2021 Porsche 911 turbo [10.00]	It is actually better to park the car outside in winter. The constant freeze and thaw cycle is actually pretty bad for corrosion. __________________ Porsche 911 turbo 2021 992 GT Silver Previous cars: M4cs 2019 F82 Limerock Grey / M4 2015 F82 Silverstone / M3 2008 E92 Silverstone / M3 2002 E46 Carbon Black
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