Winter in most places means cold temperatures, freezing wind chills and layers of snow. Cold climates can take their toll on BMWs of all models, so it’s best to keep yours indoors, such as in a garage. A home garage protects your BMW from the elements, but how far can it go? What should you do to winterize your garage?
Follow this guide to safeguard your bimmer.
How Does Cold Weather Affect Your BMW?
Winter weather can negatively affect your BMW unless you’re lucky to live in Miami Beach. Low temperatures make your car harder to start and strain your battery. You may even experience a dead battery, leading to time spent with jumper cables and chargers. Battery life is critical if you own an electric vehicle (EV) because it can take hours to complete a charge.
Cold weather also leads to other unwanted problems like flat tires. Freezing temperatures make the tires contract and reduce pressure, even if you refilled them recently. Your bimmer may see flat spots, putting you at higher risk for a blowout. Flat tires compromise your fuel mileage, reducing it by about 0.2% for every psi lost under your BMW’s recommendations.
How Can You Winterize Your Garage?
Garages can keep a climate-controlled atmosphere for your BMW. However, all it takes is one crack in your weatherstripping to let the cold air in. Use these six tips for winterizing your garage and protecting your bimmer.
Install Low-e Windows
Windows significantly affect your living room’s temperature as it does the garage. Many standard windows for houses are single-paned and aren’t energy efficient. The summers are brutal, with high heat entering, and winters bring the opposite problem with cold air.
One solution is to install low-emissivity (low-e) windows. These windows are more energy efficient because of their coating. The outside weather has a reduced effect, no matter the temperature. The windows will also better protect you from bad weather. High-performance windows like low-e keep moisture outside when it’s raining, preventing mold and mildew buildup in the garage.
Check the Roof
The roof is vital to keeping your garage and home safe and warm throughout the winter. A strong roof will provide insulation and protect the garage from heavy snow that can turn into leaks and then mold when it melts. Take time to inspect the roof and ensure it’s secure before the winter.
You can contact a local roofing company or do the job yourself. First, examine the flashing. This thin metal strip is critical to your roof’s health and should be in good condition to keep moisture away. You’ll also want to trim any trees that hang over your house. Heavy snow can easily weigh down the weak branches and cause them to fall and damage your roof.
Along with the roof, check the gutters surrounding your home. Leaves can easily freeze in the winter and cause the gutter to warp. The excess leaves cause water to back up behind them like a beaver’s dam. Clear the leaves before winter to create a clear path for the rain and melted snow to flow from the gutter to the ground.
Maintain the Door
Your garage door may be strong, but it can weaken over time. You use it in more than just the winter, so it’s essential to maintain the door to ensure its structural integrity. Start by watching the garage door when you open and shut it.
Does it move in one smooth motion, or does it rattle and make noise? You may need to take a wrench and tighten up the door. Add lubricant to help the garage door move effortlessly.
Inspect the Weatherstripping
A loose garage door can lead to unwanted cold air slipping through the cracks. One thing you should pay attention to is the weatherstripping. This maintenance task applies to every door and window in your home, but it’s critical to your garage because of your bimmer. Check the weatherstripping to ensure it’s intact for your winterizing checklist.
The weatherstripping is essential for keeping the freezing temperatures out of the house. Over time, it can become worn and cracked. Find weatherstripping at a home improvement store and measure it to fit your garage door. The Department of Energy (DOE) recommends weatherstripping on a dry surface above 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
Protect the Fluids
Winterizing the garage means protecting your valuable bimmer, but you should also be vigilant of the fluids you keep there. For example, you likely keep oil, antifreeze and other essential items. Cold temperatures can freeze these liquids, so keep them safe. Insulated cabinets will extend the shelf life and prevent the cold from compromising your fluids.
Safeguard Your Batteries
Prepping your garage is essential for your bimmer’s battery, but you may have spare batteries if something happens to the current one. Winterizing can help, but you should take extra precautions to save your spare batteries.
When temperatures dip below 0 degrees Fahrenheit, your battery can lose over half its strength. Use blankets and other insulators to keep the spares warm.

Protecting Your Bimmer in the Winter
Winters can be brutal, especially if you live in the northern US or Canada. The cold weather can significantly affect you and your prized bimmer. Use these six tips for winterizing your garage to keep everything safe.