When winter sets in, it marks the official end of driving season. For those who have seasonal vehicles, like classic or collector cars, that means it’s time to consider how you’re going to store your vehicle for the next several months. Whether you’re storing your vehicle indoors or outdoors, there are a few items that should be addressed on your “how to winterize my car” checklist to make sure it’s as ready as you are for the spring thaw.
Regardless of the type of building you have access to, you may want to put down plastic as a moisture barrier. Also consider using carpet or wood scraps under the tires to prevent moisture from leaching from the rubber into the ground or concrete, as this can dry out the tires in the area of contact. It may also be worthwhile to lift and support the vehicle with blocks or jack stands to prevent flat spots from forming on the tires. You can also use wheel dollies if the vehicle may need to be moved around the building while it is stored. Wheel dollies use casters that support the vehicle and allow it to be moved by hand while also elevating it off of the floor. In either case, make sure to air up the tires before storing your vehicle, and check the tire pressure with a tire pressure gauge once a month or so if it is sitting on the ground.
It’s always a good idea to wash your vehicle one last time before it goes into storage for the season. A quick winter car wash and waxing can help prevent dirt from sticking to the vehicle, or if you’re using a car cover, can prevent dirt or other contaminants from rubbing against the paint. This is especially important for a car that has to be stored outside and covered. You’ll also want to make sure that the car cover you choose fits snugly enough that wind doesn’t cause any rubbing or paint damage over the next few months.
It’s also a good idea to change your oil and oil filter before the vehicle is put into storage. Oil filters trap debris and motor oil suspends contaminants that could be damaging to the engine if it sits for long periods of time without the oil circulating. DIY oil changes are a quick and easy maintenance task, and you can get the oil filter and your motor oil of choice at your local O’Reilly Auto Parts.
Since a car battery has a tendency to discharge when it sits for long periods of time, it is typically a good idea to disconnect the battery in your vehicle when it will not be in use to prevent ground drains or other idle electrical demands on the battery from draining it. The best approach to be sure that your battery is stored properly for the winter is to store the battery or vehicle indoors, preferably not on a concrete floor or where it is able to freeze, and to use a battery maintainer to keep it fully charged. Battery maintainers are designed to detect battery voltage and recharge the battery when it drops below a specific level, ensuring your battery is always fully charged and ready to go. This can be done on or off the vehicle, but if the vehicle is not being stored inside this winter, it may be best to remove the battery so it can be maintained in a more consistent environment.
Winter Fuel Additives and Stabilizers
Finally, you need to address the fuel in your fuel tank. Fuel absorbs water with time, or can evaporate and lead to a buildup of varnish in your fuel tank and fuel system. This varnish can cause clogs or other fuel system problems, and water in your fuel can prevent your engine from running well or at all, depending on the water concentration. Though you can drain your fuel tank by removing the fuel return line in fuel injected vehicles, or by using a siphon to remove the fuel from the tank in other cases, the simplest solution is to use a fuel stabilizer. Fuel stabilizer is designed to prevent oxidation, since fuel systems are by nature not airtight. Adding fuel stabilizer to fuel that will be sitting for some time can help prevent the fuel from evaporating and also helps repel water while the vehicle is stored. It is usually best to fill the fuel tank before adding your stabilizer to give air as few places to go in the tank as possible, and to run the engine for several minutes to allow the stabilizer to flow throughout the fuel system. This also applies to diesel-powered vehicles, and winter diesel fuel additives can help prevent the fuel from gelling in the tank or fuel lines. Using a fuel stabilizer can help protect fuel in the tank from evaporation or condensation for six months to 24 months, depending on the stabilizer used, so it is also a perfect solution for long-term storage.
Long-Term Car Storage Tips for Any Season
First, it is best to always be sure the windows are all rolled up and sealed when a vehicle is being stored. This may seem obvious, but in the case that the windows don’t work properly or if it is a project vehicle that does not have working or installed windows yet, it may be a good idea to cover the window openings as well as possible to prevent insects or rodents from entering the vehicle or water from damaging the interior.
Another good way to prevent insects or rodents from getting into your vehicle is to use deterrents such as mothballs in the interior of the vehicle, as well as in the tailpipe to prevent curious creatures from attempting to nest in your exhaust. You can also scatter mothballs or other deterrents around the perimeter of the car to form a barrier, which will prevent the inside of your vehicle from smelling like mothballs the next time you get to take it out.
It’s often a good idea to cover any air inlets, including the entrance to the air filter box or air cleaner, with plastic. Rodents may use these small holes as food storage, or in some cases, animals have been known to make nests in these areas. Ensuring that any entrance to the air filter box is covered securely or taped off can prevent frustration next season. It may also be a good idea to locate the air inlet for your heating and air conditioning system and find a way to block it off as well. Stored vehicles that didn’t have this precaution taken often end up with a variety of debris clustered around the cabin air filter or in the heating and ventilation system, and damage may extend much further than a few acorns.
When attempting to prevent moisture buildup and mold in a non-climate controlled storage area, it may be a good idea to put a box of baking soda in the interior and in the trunk area of your vehicle when it is stored. Baking soda naturally absorbs moisture and odors, and can help reduce the risk of mold forming in your interior. Other more specific products also exist for moisture control in your vehicle, but baking soda is a cheap, effective solution to help minimize the risk of moisture causing interior damage.
Car owners often also wonder about whether a car should be started regularly while it’s in storage. Though there are benefits to running the vehicle just to keep fluids circulating and prevent seals from drying out, running the vehicle for only a few minutes at a time can do more harm than good. If the engine runs for less than 10 minutes, it may not warm up to operating temperature. This can allow moisture to stay in the cylinders and exhaust system, which could lead to corrosion. If you’re going to run the engine while the vehicle is in storage, it is best to make sure that it warms up completely so that this moisture evaporates before turning the engine off. In most cases, allowing a vehicle to sit for a few months without starting it will be fine, so long as the car winterizing steps above are followed.
If you’re ready to put your car away for the season, make sure to do it right. Stabilizing fuel, making sure fluids are fresh and effective for their purpose, and limiting the risk of rodents or insects damaging your vehicle can make getting your car running and driving again easier and more satisfying the next time you are ready to hit the road.
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