Winter Is Here: Winter Storage and Car Care Tips!

**GOHEMI** · 12-12-2007, 06:09 PM

Winter Storage
If your car is stored for the in a detached garage you know it gets really cold out there.
You can do the following routine:

1.) Give the vehicle a good end-of-season washing, dry it thoroughly and apply a protective coat of wax.

2.) Leave the fitted car-cover off. Large soft household blankets over the hood, the roof, and the trunk lid perfectly do the trick blocking dust and UV rays.

3.) Make sure the wheel wells and undercarriage is thoroughly cleaned on the last dry days. It's the dirt that cases most rust, as dirt attracts and bind moisture more than a clean surface would

4.) Make sure the rugs are clean and most importantly, dry.

5.) Make sure the right mix of good quality antifreeze is used. Some drain the cooling system (including the radiator) and refill it with a rust-inhibiting antifreeze for winter storage.

6.) Get an oil change and new oil filter right before storage.

7.) If it's stored only for the 3-4 winter monts, fill the gas tank all the way up with the manufacturer's recommended octane gasoline.

8.) Some put their car up on stands to prevent potential "flat spots". I don't think this will be an issue with my Michelins. It probably depends on the tire.

9.) I give the leather seats (not the suede parts) and the dash a good Lexol Leather Cleaner treatment (the orange bottle) right before storage.

10.) Some people hook their battery on a battery charger/maintainer to keep the battery alive. I've never done this and never had a problem.

11.) Although some people suggest to keep the windows cracked just a tad bit, close them if you have mice or other rodents to keep them out.

12.) You mentioned dryer sheets. Some people go as far as place mothballs inside their car, including under the dash, and cover the tailpipe to keep critters out.

13.) Keep it operational. Basically this means periodically start the car, run the heater, or the air conditioner, check the wiper blades, tire pressure, and check the garage floor for signs of leaks, etc...

----------------- Last but not least:

14.) Ideally, on good days (dry, sunny winter day) take the car for a 5 mile run to evaporate the moisture from the engine & exhaust. If not, crank it up every so often to expell moisture.

Also: make sure the drain holes on all doors (bottom) and on the mufflers are free of debris, and open for water drainage.

The photos below show the drip from the drain hole and tail pipe and the two drip spots you should be seeing under each OEM muffler.

I have also made a video showing the location of the drain hole, and the wet spots from the drip on the OEM mufflers.

Click below to see the video now: http://gohemi.blogspot.com