How To: Store Vehicle - PartSource: Automotive, Truck Parts & Accessories

Vehicle Storage Tips

The first frost is a sign that it's time to put your summer ride away for the winter. Proper storage can save you a lot of work down the road. The Part Pros are going to pass along a few tips of things you should do before packing your vehicle away for the winter. Come next spring, your vehicle will look great and perform well.

Remember, if you have any questions or if you're unsure of anything, feel free to contact the Parts Pros at your local PartSource. They're always ready to help, no matter what the job is.

Let's go!

A Few Things Before You Begin

In case you need them, you can always find free print outs of specific vehicle instructions and torque specifications from Mitchell on Demand at your local PartSource store.

Everything you need for this job can be found at your local PartSource store. Ask a Parts Pro about what you'll need for the job. It's better to have extra spare parts ready for anything that might need to be replaced. The last thing you want to do, is go shopping when you have the car up on the jack.

When taking parts apart, be organized. Keep similar parts together in a safe place where they won't get lost and layout parts in a way that will allow you to put them back in the same order.

Make Safety Your Top Priority

Every vehicle is different. When it comes to maintenance and repairs always follow the vehicle's owner's manual.

Make sure you have all of your tools and supplies before you begin – the last thing you want to do is go shopping when you have the car on the jack.

Safety should be your number one priority. Don't smoke, drink alcoholic beverages, or wear a necktie while working on the car. And watch out for hot objects, sharp instruments, hazardous materials and other potential safety hazards in and around your workspace. Always wear your safety glasses, a dust mask and latex gloves.

Don't work with a Philips when the job calls for a flat. Substituting tools can compromise your safety or your vehicle's performance.

Finally, when the fun turns to frustration or if the job requires specialized knowledge beyond your abilities, seek the assistance of a Parts Pro, professional mechanic or installer. The last thing we want is someone getting hurt.

Perform All Repairs And Maintenance

Perform any known repairs or maintenance on your vehicle. You don't want to forget and find out the hard way on the first spring drive.

Change The Oil

Change your engine oil and filter. You don't want contaminants that have built up in the oil to sit in your engine all winter. Change the oil again when taking the car out in spring to remove any condensation build up in the oil pan.

Fill The Thank

Add a container of fuel stabilizer to the gas tank and completely fill the tank with high quality gasoline. Drive a quick 20km or so to work the stabilizer through the entire fuel system.

Prevent Rust

Spray hinges, crevices, and anything shiny with a coating of WD-40 to prevent rusting. This can be wiped off in the spring with a degreaser.

If you are using a rust inhibiting coating on the exterior, it should be applied now. Let the vehicle sit for a few days before washing and waxing.

Wash And Wax

You'll want to do a complete and thorough cleaning before storage. Wash the car, inside and out.
Wax all painted surfaces with a high quality wax.
Clean the area you plan on storing the vehicle in. Be sure the car is completely dry, and park the vehicle in your storage area.

It's best to apply wax in an environment that's not too hot or too cold.

Wipe Down Rubber Parts

Wipe all rubber parts and seals with a rubber dressing to stop them from drying out and cracking.

Battery Maintenance

At the very least, disconnect the battery cables. If your storage area is not heated, it's recommended that the battery is removed and stored indoors through the winter, but always watch for the possibility of corrosive battery acid.

IMPORTANT - Before disconnecting a battery, be sure you disarm any alarms and that you have any necessary lock codes for the stereo or other electronic equipment.

It's important to maintain the battery to prolong its ability to hold a charge as time goes by. Battery maintenance can be done in a few different ways:

Trickle charge the battery every few weeks with a battery charger.
Use a battery charger that has a “maintain” setting so the battery is kept at the right state of charge, but not overcharged.
Use a 12V solar panel and battery maintainer to constantly monitor/charge the battery.

Fill Washer Fluid

Fill your washer fluid container with winter washer fluid to prevent freezing and cracking of the fluid container.

Keep The Critters Out

Cover or plug the exhaust tail pipe and air intake tubing to prevent rodents from taking up residence. Steel wool works well, just remember to remove it before starting the car! Some people also like to use mothballs under the hood or in the trunk to keep rodents away. It's NOT recommended to use mothballs on the interior of your car.

On The Ground? Off The Ground?

Next you'll need to decide whether to raise the vehicle for storage or leave it sitting on the ground. Flat spots on the tires used to be the main reason to store a vehicle raised off the ground, but with modern day tires, this has become less of an issue.
Generally, if the car is only parked for the winter, storing it on the ground should be fine. Over-inflating your tires by 5-8 pounds can help prevent flat spotting over the winter.
If you are raising it off the ground, you're next decision is whether or not to remove the wheels. Some people prefer to remove the wheels when storing a car, rather than have them in a high traffic garage area where expensive rims can be damaged.

If you decide to raise the vehicle for storage, be sure to use good quality jack stands in the appropriate areas of the vehicle - they're holding the car there all winter.

IMPORTANT - DO NOT use the parking brake when storing a vehicle. Parking brakes can seize over months of being left on.

Cover It Up

First, leave the windows down a few centimeters to let the interior breathe then cover the car. Covers should be a breathable, snug fitting material. Tarps or plastic are not recommended.

Make Sure You Are 'Covered'

Adjust your insurance accordingly. Call your insurance agent and let them know the car has been stored. They can recommend the appropriate amount of insurance. If you're putting your “winter beater” vehicle on the road, be sure to reinstate the insurance policy for it as well.

If the car is a convertible, store it with the top up.

If the vehicle is being stored more than just the winter months, you may want to consider removing the spark plugs and squirting a bit of oil down each cylinder to keep the pistons from seizing up. You'll also want to crank the engine a few turns by hand every couple of months to keep things moving.