As winter approaches, the thought of getting your vehicle through the cold months unharmed can be worrying. After all, winter means moisture, and moisture means rust and damage.
Properly storing your car during winter is a great way to avoid long-term damage. In our guide below, we have provided nine essential tips for protecting your vehicle in the cold.
From exterior maintenance to classic car insurance tips, here is everything you need to know about keeping your car safe in the winter.
Preparing Your Car’s Exterior for Winter Storage
Winter storage is more than just covering your vehicle with a plastic tarp. It is a combination of efforts done to keep your car in great shape come spring. One of the many necessary steps in preparing your car exterior through a thorough wash followed by polishing and waxing.
Car Wash, Wax, and Polish
A professional car wash is essential to remove dirt, grime, and contaminants from the exterior. This not only protects your vehicle’s finish but also ensures it’s in pristine condition when you’re ready to hit the road again. Don’t forget to clean the wheels, as brake dust can accumulate and cause damage over time.
Apply a fresh coat of wax and polish after washing your car. This helps to protect the paint and finish from damage by harsh winter elements. Waxing preserves the clear coat, preventing bird droppings and other contaminants from damaging the delicate exterior. Polishing the chrome parts adds an extra layer of protection.
Interior Maintenance and Protection
Like the exterior, your car’s interior must be cleaned before storage.
Cleaning the Interior
Vacuum the carpets, seats, and dashboard to eliminate dust and dirt. Clean the windows and mirrors with a glass cleaner, and wipe down the dashboard and other surfaces with a damp cloth.
Pay attention to the nooks and crannies, as any leftover debris or food wrappers can become a breeding ground for mold and mildew during storage.
Seat Covers and Desiccant Packs
Seat covers protect your seats from dust and dirt, while desiccant packs from the local dollar store absorb moisture, preventing mold and mildew growth. For better results, place desiccant packs in areas prone to moisture accumulation, such as the trunk or glove box.
Fluids and Fuel Management
Typical maintenance tasks of adding fresh fluids to your car should be done before storage. Change the oil, check coolant levels, and add a fuel stabilizer to prevent corrosion and fuel deterioration.
Oil Change
Idle cars are susceptible to engine corrosion due to exposure to the elements and an accumulation of rust.
Changing your car’s oil and oil filters is vital for preventing engine damage during storage, especially if your vehicle will be stored for a long period of more than 30 days. After changing your car engine oil, remember to keep it running to get the oil to circulate for maximum protection.
Coolant Levels
Before placing your car in storage for winter, check and top off its coolant levels to avoid engine damage from water concentration levels being too high. Use a coolant tester to verify the freezing point of the radiator fluid, ensuring your car is prepared for the harshest winter conditions.
Fuel Stabilizer
Before storing your car, add fuel stabilizer to the gas tank to prevent fuel oxidation that will damage the fuel lines, fuel system, or engine. Add stabilizer to your car tank, then make your car run for some minutes to ensure fuel circulates properly through its system.
Battery Care and Maintenance
If you plan to store your car for an extended period, disconnecting the battery can prevent it from draining during storage. Remove the negative terminal first, then the positive terminal. Afterward, store the battery in a dry and warm place, such as a basement or garage.
Another option to protect your battery is to use a trickle charger with an auto shut-off feature is another option. This charger supplies a steady, low-level current to the battery, ensuring it remains charged and preventing damage. It is beneficial if your storage location or parking space has a power source and you want to keep your battery connected to the vehicle.
Tire Preservation and Inflation
Tire preservation and inflation are essential aspects of winter car storage to prevent a tire flat spot and ensure your tires remain in good condition. Whether you inflate your tires to the recommended PSI or use wood planks and jack stands, tire care is crucial when storing cars for extended periods.
Inflate your car’s tires to the recommended PSI before storing them for winter to prevent deflation and flat spots. Check the driver’s side door jamb or the owner’s manual in the glove box by the passenger compartment for the correct PSI for your vehicle.
You can also consider placing wood planks under your tires or placing your car on jack stands if you’re still concerned your tires will develop flat spots. Doing this takes the pressure off the tires and prevents flat spots from forming due to the weight of the vehicle pressing on them for an extended period.
Sealing Entrance Points and Repelling Rodents
During winter car storage, it’s essential to protect your vehicle from damage caused by pests. Sealing entry points and repelling rodents will save you from expensive repairs caused by damages created by rodents come spring time.
Seal off potential rodent entrances, such as the exhaust pipe and air intake ducts, with steel wool or foil. This is your best bet for closing off easy access to small animals that may chew on wires, hoses, and other vehicle components.
You can also use rodent repellents such as peppermint oil or devices like mouse traps to stop pests from nesting in your vehicle and causing significant damage. Another option is to place scented dryer sheets or Irish Spring soap shavings inside the car and moth balls around the perimeter to deter rodents from entering.
Choosing the Right Car Cover
Of course, don’t forget to invest in car covers for extra protection. Covers keep dust, moisture, and potential damage at bay, ensuring your vehicle remains in top condition. When choosing covers, remember to opt for a breathable and waterproof option that can withstand rain, snow, and wind. Look for a classic car cover with a fleece liner to protect your vehicle’s finish during winter storage.
Selecting a Safe Storage Location
When choosing a space to store your car inside, secure storage locations like a storage facility are a great option. It would be best if you chose the right environment to ensure your car remains safe and in optimal condition throughout the winter months.
A garage with a garage door or parking lot with an asphalt or concrete floor is usually the best option for winter car storage (but isn’t necessary for those cities with mild winters, like Metairie, LA). . These locations offer protection from the elements and restricted access, reducing the risk of theft or damage. Although a parking brake will keep your car in place, you can provide additional security using wheel chocks. Place the chocks in front of and behind the tires to ensure your vehicle remains stationary during storage.
Insurance Considerations
Maintaining comprehensive coverage during winter protects you against disasters like theft or fire. This insurance coverage protects your car from unexpected events while it’s stored for winter. Before choosing, consult your insurance provider to ensure you have the appropriate coverage.
Also, since your car won’t be driven during winter storage, consider reducing or canceling liability and collision coverage to save on insurance costs. Contact your insurance provider to adjust your coverage for the winter months, ensuring your car remains protected while saving you money.
Final Thoughts
Finding an ideal storage solution for your vehicle is vital for keeping it in tip-top shape and ready for spring. However, sometimes finding storage areas may be difficult, especially if you prioritize safety and easy accessibility.
Thankfully, peer-to-peer self-storage marketplaces offer secure and budget-friendly storage options, located in residential areas (for those car owners without a garage to store their vintage vehicles). By opting for private storage solutions in your own neighborhood, you can be within walking distance of your investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
When storing a car for the winter, should the tank be full?
Filling your car’s tank before storing it in a climate-controlled facility is recommended, as an empty or low gas tank can lead to internal rust caused by moisture buildup. Full gas tanks prevent moisture buildup and rust since the fuel is a barrier between the air and the tank’s metal.
How often should you start a stored car in the winter?
It is recommended to start your stored car every 3-4 weeks in the winter to ensure its good condition. If it is a newer car, starting it often isn’t necessary.
Is it OK to store a car in an unheated garage?
Yes, it is not a bad idea to store your car in an unheated garage as long as it is completely dry and free of pests.
