Simple Steps to Protect Your Car While You're Down South.
If you’re getting ready to trade in your snow boots for sandals this winter, you’re probably focused on packing, travel plans and making sure the house is locked up tight. But before you hand over your key to your friend or neighbor, there’s one more thing that needs a little attention: your vehicle.
When you get back home in the spring, the last thing you want to face is a dead battery, sluggish engine, flat-spotted tires, or other unexpected surprises. (Think, little rodent critters taking up residence in your vehicle.) However, with a few simple steps, you can keep your car in great shape while you’re gone — so when you come home, it’s ready to roll, not ready for repairs.
To help you get started, we’ve created a friendly step-by-step guide to storing your vehicle safely for the winter months.
1. Keep the Battery Strong While Your Gone
Cold winter temperatures, like those here in Chestertown, MD, can drain car batteries faster than most drivers realize. If a vehicle sits without being driven for several weeks — let alone all winter — the battery can lose its charge.
Why? Because even though your car is not running, the clock, radio, locking systems that are always looking for the key fob to the door, and computer programs running in the background that hold vital information regarding your car’s needs are running quietly in the background, siphoning off the juice in your battery.
What are the best ways to keep your car’s battery from dying while in storage over the winter?
Use a battery maintainer (also called a trickle charger). This keeps the battery topped up without overcharging it. It’s the easiest and most reliable method.
Disconnect the negative battery cable or both if you’d like. This will prevent a slow drain from the car’s electronics, but you may lose radio presets or clock settings, etc.
Or you can ask a trusted friend or neighbor to start the car once a week. However, just starting the car for a few minutes will actually use up battery strength, so ask them to run it for at least 30 minutes to help replenish the supply.
Remember, a well-maintained battery saves you from the all-too-common springtime surprise of a car that won’t start when you return.
2. Protect Your Tires By Keeping Them Off The Ground
Why should you keep tires off the ground in the winter?
When a car sits for months in one position, the tires can develop what is known as flat spots. Cold weather makes rubber stiff, which increases the chance of those flat areas forming. These flat spots can cause uneven tread which can interfere with the quality of your ride.
You can prevent this by:
Using jack stands to take the weight off the tires. (Remember to do this on a flat surface.)
Parking on clean, dry concrete, not dirt or gravel. (Dirt and gravel can accelerate dry rot on the tire if it is sitting on it too long.)
Adding a few extra pounds of air pressure before storage.
Rolling the car slightly every few weeks, if someone is available to do this.
3. Add A Fuel Treatment To Prevent Moisture Build-Up
When a car sits unused, condensation forms inside the fuel tank. In winter, that moisture can freeze, cause rust, or prevent the engine from running smoothly in the spring.
Another thing to keep in mind is gasoline has ethanol in it, which is okay if the car is run on a consistent basis. However, if it sits for an extended period of time, the ethanol will separate which can create a varnish-like substance onto anything it comes in contact with— such as fuel lines, injectors, and filters which can lead to costly repairs.
You can prevent fuel from building up moisture in your car’s gas tank by following these three steps.
Fill the gas tank just before you’re ready to leave for the winter.
Next, add a fuel stabilizer designed specifically for gas that is going to be sitting for an extended length of time.
Finally, run the engine for 10-15 minutes to circulate the treated fuel throughout the system.
These steps can help prevent moisture from forming in the gas tank and also prevent your fuel lines from getting clogged.
4. Check and Top Off Your Coolant
Coolant isn’t just about preventing your car from overheating — it also protects your engine from freezing in sub-zero temperatures. However, always remember to check your owner’s manual for the specific type of coolant for your vehicle, and use the proper ratio required for Maryland’s winters. If the coolant mixture is too weak, ice can form inside the system and crack the engine block, radiator, or cause leaks to form in the hoses.
If you’re not sure or comfortable with deciding the correct ratio and type of coolant or need a mechanic to check your radiator and hoses, just give us a call and schedule an appointment. We’re here to help you prepare your vehicle ready for a long winter’s stay.
5. Prevent Moisture Problems Inside the Car
Cars stored through winter often develop musty smells or even mold inside. Before locking the doors for the season:
Take out water bottles, umbrellas and any other damp items.
Place a moisture absorber (like DampRid) on the floor
Use sunshades to protect the dashboard from temperature swings if your storing it outside.
Use a mold deterrent with a tea tree oil base to it. Tea tree oil not only helps prevent mold and leaves a fresh, clean scent.
A dry interior in December means a fresh-smelling car in April.
6. Clean The Inside Of Your Car Thoroughly
A bit of fall cleaning can means you can skip the spring cleaning!
Vacuum and remove any crumbs or food.
Look for rodent entry points under the hood to discourage mice from moving in. Placing fragranced oils like peppermint or cloves inside your vehicle can also make them look for a different place to call home.
Make sure the parking brake isn’t engaged (it can freeze).
If you’re keeping your vehicle outdoors, ensure all doors and windows are fully sealed.
7. Be Sure To Cover Your Vehicle the Right Way
A good car cover is worth its weight in gold during winter storage. But the key is to cover it correctly.
Start out by giving your car a thorough wash and polish first. Dirt left on the paint can scratch the finish under the cover.
Use a breathable car cover— not a tarp for long term storage. Breathable covers allow moisture to escape and prevent mold or mildew from growing.
If your vehicle stays outdoors, choose a weatherproof one that can handle snow and freezing rain.
If you’re storing your vehicle in your garage, a light dust cover should be enough.
Covering your vehicle keeps the paint protected, prevents rust, and keeps critters and debris out of sensitive areas.
Following these seven steps for storing your car in the winter can saves you hours of frustration in the spring.
Enjoy Your Time Down South — Your Car Will Be Ready for You!
