Whether you’re heading to a warmer climate for winter, own a convertible or
classic car, or just aren’t driving right now, storing your car properly can prevent an array of problems. The right storage may even help you avoid paying hundreds of dollars on car repairs. For example, a storage mistake could lead to:
- Blemishes or rust on your paint job
- Mechanical problems
- Rodents taking up residence in your tailpipe or under the hood
To prevent these maintenance problems, follow this step-by-step guide to storing your car correctly in winter or any season:
It’s important to protect your car with standard
car insurance or
classic car insurance, even when it’s in storage. There are several reasons to avoid letting your policy lapse even when you’re not driving the car. First, a gap in coverage could cause your premium to increase once you’re ready to reinsure your car. Second, if something happens to your car while it’s in storage (e.g., a tree topples onto it), insurance can help cover the costs of repairs.
If you own the car outright, it’s a good idea to maintain your comprehensive coverage. If you are considering reducing coverage, make sure to ask your insurer which options are appropriate for your vehicle while it's in storage. If you have an auto loan, it's also a good idea to check with your lender's requirements.
2. Decide Where to Store Your Car
If possible, store your car in a dry location with a concrete floor, such as your garage or an indoor storage unit. Many self-storage facilities offer indoor and/or outdoor vehicle storage options. You can safely store your car in the elements for several months if you cover it properly, says Lauren Fix, aka “The Car Coach,” a nationally recognized automotive expert. However, if you need to store your car for years, you should store it inside.
Wash your car to remove bird droppings, tree sap, road salt and other substances that could damage the paint if left on for several months. Clean the fenders, wheels and tires to get rid of dirt and grease, and rinse the undercarriage if you’ve been driving on salted roads. Let the car dry completely before you cover it.
Don’t skip the interior. Vacuum the seats and floors and remove any food wrappers, crumbs or trash, which can attract pests. Finish by applying a coat of wax to protect the exterior while your car is stored. That way, in spring you’ll have a clean car that’s ready to go.
4. Swap Out Fluids
Leaving dirty, used oil in your car can cause engine damage. Therefore, if you plan to store your car for a month or more,
have the oil changed. Refill your engine using oil that is specially formulated for storage. And if you haven’t changed your coolant for more than a year, drain and replace it with quality antifreeze.
5. Take Care of Your Tires
Inflate your tires to the maximum recommended tire pressure, recommends Kevin Burke of SimpleTire.com, a website dedicated to finding tires for your car at competitive prices. “Tires can lose pressure over time when there are changes in temperature,” Burke explains. Loss of tire pressure can lead to “flat spots” on the bottom of the tires.
Sometimes, you can get rid of these spots by inflating your tires and driving your car, but that doesn’t always work.
Flat spots can ruin your tires, requiring you to spend hundreds of dollars to replace them. To ensure your tires remain in good repair, you can remove them and use jack stands to hold your car off the ground.
Hit the gas station and fill ‘er up before storing your car. Topping off the tank keeps water out and seals lubricated. Add a fuel stabilizer designed for cars in storage to your gas tank, Fix advises. This will extend the life of your gasoline and help prevent the formation of deposits, known as “varnishing,” that can plug up your fuel injectors and cost $300 to $400 to fix, she says. Another option is to drain your gas tank, but that’s not necessary if you’re only storing your car for the season.
