Make sure that your vehicle can come out of hibernation in the best shape possible. If you plan on not moving your vehicle during the winter, then there are some car storage tips to keep in mind. The winter months are approaching soon, and you might be starting to feel the chill. Some vehicles, like a drop-top, are not quite appropriate during the winter months. Here is some guidance to help you make sure that your vehicle is safely stored away.
Clean Things Up
Maybe you have hands of steel and prefer to wash your car yourself in the cold. But if not, you can just take it to a detailer. Having a clean, dry and preferably waxed car is the best condition for it to be stored in before the winter. You will want to make sure it’s dry as well before you cover it up.
Thinking About Where You will Store it
If you have a garage that’s not filled up to the brim with other junk, then it is the perfect place to put your car for the winter. Otherwise, if you don’t have one, you don’t need to just leave your precious vehicle on the side of the curb. Many high rises will have extra parking spots that you can rent that are located underground or at least indoors, shielded away from the elements.
Fill the Gas Tank
During winter, especially in cold garages that have fluctuating temperatures, your fuel tank can attract moisture. This means that you might experience some rusting and a clogged fuel filter when the snow starts melting. The best way to avoid this is to fill up your tank before you park it for the winter. In particular, try using higher-octane, low-ethanol fuel. A small amount of empty air in your tank will prevent moisture from building up it and it will dilute the contaminants. Second, and this especially goes for longer periods of storage, is to invest in a fuel stabilizer, which prevents water from separating the gas.
Avoid Flat Spots
Your tires will typically be at the right pressure for the best driving experience, however, for people who park their car for longer periods, pressure can be an important factor. It’s easy to develop flat spots during the winter since the rubber will be sitting there completely compressed. Adding a few extra pounds of pressure can help and be sure to be taking pressure readings in the cold.
One more thing you can try is taking the weight off the tires using jack stands. However, this is not recommended for older cars prone to sagging frames, or for newer vehicles that have air-adaptive suspensions. Lastly, you can try and park the car with a 2 inch by the 10-inch wood board under each tire. This gives it a mild insulating effect from the concrete, and it helps the rubber from hardening too much.
