Up here in New England, the snowy arrival of winter marks an end to the fun-car season. And while there may be many other reasons you have to store your car for a long period of time. (i.e. long-term travel, military deployment, just to name a few.) Regardless of the reason, we’ll focus for the most part on us New Englanders who store our cars for the winter. Storing our vehicles the right way will ensure that they wake up in the spring no worse for wear. Here are some steps for an effective automotive hibernation.
It may seem counterintuitive to get the car washed when you’re putting it away for months, but it is an easy step and one that should never be overlooked. Water stains and/or bird droppings left on the car can damage the paint. Make sure to clean the wheels and undersides of the fenders to get rid of mud, grease or tar.
Thus inclined, you should definitely consider thoroughly cleaning your car, inside and out, before storage. The last thing you want to do is put a car cover on a dirty car. Give your ride a good hand wash, polish up that chrome and if you can, apply a coat of wax to the paint. Make sure to get rid of any tree-sap drops, too. (Alcohol based hand sanitizer works really well for this.)
If there are exposed metal places under your car that are prone to rust, buy a can of rubberized undercoating and spray on a protective coat, keeping in mind that it needs to be reapplied yearly. Be careful not to spray this coating near any exhaust components that can get hot because products like this can be very flammable. For collectors, if you’re worried about keeping your car in original condition, a coat of WD-40 will also work..
Clean out your interior too, be sure throw out food wrappers, soda cans and any other trash that may have accumulated in your interior. If you plan on steam-cleaning the carpet, do that far enough in advance of (or after) storing the car to avoid moisture buildup and mold. For added interior protection, you can buy a set of seat covers or use simple sheets. To soak up cabin moisture, purchase a few packs of desiccant from your local dollar store or convenience store to place on the floor.
You can also place mothballs in socks and set them both inside and around the car, but you’ll probably need to air out the cabin to get rid of that distinctive smell if you do put them in the interior.
I’m hesitant to use mouse-traps because the bait could attract the mice as well, but if you must remember: Mouse-traps work well outside the car, but NEVER put them in your car. The last thing you want to find is a dead mouse on your passenger seat, especially months later. If you are storing your car in your own garage at home, remember that pest poison traps can be hazardous to your pets.
It’s also a good idea to change your car’s oil and oil filter as well as check and top up all other fluid levels before storing your car. Us New Englanders live in a colder climate, so make sure your car has enough antifreeze. Once you’ve topped off the fluids and added fuel stabilizer, take your car out for one last ride to circulate the new fluids. Make sure the windshield wiper fluid is a low temp variety that has antifreeze additive.
You can also remove the battery and store it in a warm room in your home. Keep in mind that cold batteries can freeze and may crack.
A basic car cover is definitely worthwhile. Especially if you store your car inside because it can protect your car’s freshly waxed exterior from accumulating dust and dirt. Consider a thicker car cover that provides a layer of protective padding for your car’s exterior. You know, in case you bump it while you move items around in your garage or storage area.
It’s easier to have another set of hands available when putting a cover on your car; it also eliminates the risk of having the cover touch the ground and picking up grit. Before you put the cover on, make sure all the windows and doors are fully closed. Insure that valuables and necessities are out of the passenger compartment. You don’t want to open a covered, storage-ready car just to get your cell phone’s car charger. If you have a fixed antenna, you’ll also want to remove it before
Instead of a car cover, consider a car jacket. Just drive your car onto the jacket, put a soft car cover on it (this is a must), and zip up the outer plastic jacket. This solution provides protection from moisture, rust, rodents and dust.
Once your car is started, let it warm up to its operating temperature. You do this to remove any condensation and cycle the fresh oil through the engine to lubricate the parts a bit. Then, don’t forget to redo the steps needed to return your car to its storage state.
Here’s a quick and handy checklist of what to do when you’re ready to bring your vehicle out of storage:
Check under the hood for evidence of rodents. Look for chewed belts, hoses, wires or nests. If you covered the muffler or air intake, remove that material before you start the car.
Most of all drive carefully and have fun with your cool ride at the spring car shows and cruise-ins!
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