The article and tips below generally refer to putting your vehicle in to storage over the harsh winter months – but the general hints and tips given will help you whenever you are putting your car in to storage.
Why would you put your car into storage? Maybe you like driving
your classic convertible in the summer months, when the weather’s bright and you
can safely put the top down and cruise around to your heart’s content, but you’d
rather ride a safe run-around or a low cost 4×4 during the more turbulent cold
seasons. If this is the case then you may want to put your cool vehicle into
storage for this period.
So, what are the key things you need to do to prepare your treasured
automobile for storage?
Clean and Cover
The first thing to do when preparing your car for winter
storage is to clean down all the bodywork. This is a very simple step that may
seem a little counter-intuitive, as you’re probably thinking that you can wash
down your car when it comes out of storage, but giving your car a good once-over
will remove any kind of spills and stains that could potentially damage your
car’s paintwork whilst it is in storage.
You’ll also want to cover your vehicle whilst it is in storage to prevent the
build up of dust in nooks and crannies on the vehicle’s exterior.
Check Your Oil and Fuel
As the oil and fuel in your car are going to be inside it
for a number of months, you may want to make sure that these liquids are as
clean as possible. Try to find an oil that’s free of any kind of additives –
some oils are known to contain caustic detergents – and substitute it for the
oil in your car. You may also want to get another oil change the moment you take
the car out of storage.
It’s also important to make sure the fuel tank is full, as a partially or
nearly empty tank gives water in the petrol room to evaporate, causing
condensation within the tank. You may also want to add a stabilising agent to
the petrol so that it will stay fresh while your vehicle is stationary.
Windscreen Wiper Worries
Even though winter is cold, this doesn’t always mean there
is a lot of moisture in the atmosphere. Freezing temperatures can cause the air
to become especially dry, which can damage the rubber components on your car.
This should be no problem for seals that are in contact with liquids; however,
there is a danger that your windscreen wiper blades can dry out and stick to the
windscreen.
There are a number of things you can do about this – including removing the
blades completely or placing cling-film around the wipers. This is good advice
if you’re covering the car, as it will be difficult to leave the blades in a
position where they’re away from the windscreen.
Don’t Ruin Your Tyres
If you’re going to store your car in one place for a long
period of time, flat spots can develop in the tyres. Some types of tyres are
better at resting in one place than others – you can check on the manufacturer’s
website to find out the best way to take care of your car’s tyres whilst it is
in storage. You can also take the following steps to avoid flat spots:
- Inflate Fully – By making sure that your tyres are inflated
to their maximum capacity, you should be able to ensure that they stay firm all
winter and do not lose air, preventing the dreaded flat spots. - Jack It Up – If you do not want to remove the wheels from
your car (see below) then you may want to jack up your car so that the wheels
are no longer in contact with the garage floor surface. It is also possible to
purchase special tyre trainers – durable plastic mats that go under your
vehicle’s tyres, helping to preserve the round shape. - Remove – If you do not have enough car jacks to support
your vehicle then you may wish to remove the wheels altogether and put the car
up on bricks. This is a fairly extreme measure and you should always look at the
other alternatives first.
Alternatives to Brakes
Experts advise you to refrain from engaging the handbrake on your vehicle
when it’s in storage over the winter months, as the pads can stick and damage
the operation. If you’re jacking your car up or removing the wheels completely
then this shouldn’t be a problem for you, but if you’re leaving the tyres in
contact with the garage floor then simply consider putting angular pieces of
wood – or chocks – under the wheels to stop any movement.
Battery Boosts
It’s a well known fact that leaving your car alone for some
time will cause the battery to slowly lose charge. The cold weather will speed
up this process, as the drop in temperature can actually help drain the
battery’s power and knock it out completely. A simple solution to this is to
purchase a trickle charger, which can then be used to regularly add charge to
your battery, making sure that you keep it topped up with power for the summer
months.
Animals?
Whilst many authorities on car care recommend that you leave
your windows slightly open when putting it into storage for winter, always make
sure that any gap is not large enough to allow small mice and rats to enter into
your vehicle as they will be looking for somewhere warm to survive the harsher
climate and can damage your seats and upholstery.
You may even want to put a rag into your exhaust to prevent these rodents
from climbing into your engine, which could cause you problems with the
operation of the vehicle when you get it back on the road.
Finally – Get it on the Road
The modern car was designed to be driven. It’s important
that you get your car out on the road as soon as you possibly can after any
period of storage, not just one over the winter months.
Take your car out onto a large road or dual carriageway and push it up to the
national speed limit for a good period of time, allowing the pistons to work
fully, which will drive out any dirt or debris that’s collected within the
engine. This will also ensure that the car reaches the optimum operating
temperature and gives the fluids a vital chance to circulate.
Don’t leave your car in storage for a moment longer than you have to. As soon
as the weather is looking good and the snow and frost have left the ground, put
the keys in the ignition and go.
