Tips on Storing Cars Over The Winter

Ever since the invention of the automobile, Americans have had an ongoing love affair with their cars. We wash them and wax them, we get them serviced regularly, and we spend hours detailing the interior. In short, we pamper them.

A large part of caring for an automobile is knowing when to put it in storage. Some cars, such as high end sports cars, convertibles, and vintage or collectible cars, need to be stored during the winter months. The winter months can be hard on certain high end automobiles, and once fall rolls around car enthusiasts need to start thinking about getting their ride ready for storage. But not to fear, preparing your car for winter vehicle storage can be relatively easy when you follow a few simple steps.

Location, Location, Location

The first step is to find a safe and secure place to store you collectible car. The storage facility should be clean, and should have a concrete pad. Ideally, the storage space should also have electrical service. If your car is a vintage model, or if it has a canvas top, wood panels, or a leather interior, you may also want to consider a storage facility that is climate controlled.

Detailing Your Car

Before you put your car into storage for the winter, you will want to give it a thorough cleaning, both inside and out. Wash and wax your automobile, and bring any chrome up to a high polish. This is also the time to steam clean your car’s carpeting and upholstery. Those parts of the undercarriage that may be prone to rust should be sprayed with a rubberized coating to protect them during the winter months.

Inflate Your Tires

Tires tend to lose air pressure over time, particularly in extreme temperatures. Before storing your car, inflate your tires to a higher than average pressure, taking care not to exceed the manufacturers recommended maximum. This will reduce the risk of the tires deflating, and leaving your car resting on its rims. If you’re concerned about the possibility of your tires deflating, you might consider putting the car up on jacks while it’s in storage.

Check Your Fluids

Before putting your car into storage, it’s important to change the oil, the oil filters, and to top off all of the other fluid levels. With winter coming you will also want to make sure the car has enough anti-freeze. Fuel stabilizer should be added to an almost full gas tank to prevent any corrosion in the fuel lines and engine block. You should also consider removing your car’s battery, and storing it separately to prevent any leakage and corrosion to the terminals.

Invest in a Car Cover

Even though you are storing your car in an enclosed environment, it is always a good idea to invest in a quality car cover. This will protect your collectible car from dirt and dust, and will ensure that it is clean and ready to go come the spring. Before you cover your car, be sure that you have removed any valuables. There is no need to keep running back, uncovering and covering the car, just to retrieve a forgotten cell phone or address book.

We invest a lot of time, energy, and money in caring for our cars. We also lavish quite a bit of affection on them. When winter is coming, it is important to take the necessary steps to care for our cars during the harsh winter months ahead. But with the right storage facility, and by following a few simple steps, you can ensure that your beloved automobile will be ready and waiting for you when summer returns.

If you’re in the Boston area and looking for a storage solution for your vehicle check out our indoor vehicle storage specials for fall and winter.