Ten Tips for Winter Storage
It’s that bittersweet time of year… time for collectors in harsher climates to take ‘er out for one more ride and put baby to bed for the winter. We’ve got 10 tips from Richard Griot of Griot’s Garage to help you do it right.
- Cover the car with a breathable car cover. Many garages might not have a vapor
barrier beneath the floor, so moisture can come up through the floor, speeding
corrosion and rust. - If you’re storing your car for longer than a month, put a battery manager on it. The
device senses when a battery needs to be charged and turns itself on and
off accordingly. - Top off the gas tank and add a fuel preservative. The full tank will keep out
moisture, and the preservative will keep the gas from breaking down. After adding the
preservative, go for a short drive to run the preservative through the injectors and carburetors. - Try putting down a few moisture pads on the upholstery to absorb moisture inside the car.
No one wants to smell mildew in the spring. - Rodents can nest in an engine compartment. Try a rodent repellent under the hood, but
remember to remove it before starting up. - If you’re in a freezing climate, make sure your antifreeze is fresh and topped off to
avoid corrosion. Top off your windshield solvent too. - Change the oil before storing – you don’t want to see nasty sludge in the spring.
- Over-inflate your tires to avoid flat spotting. If storing longer than a couple of months,
you can jack up the car to take pressure off the tires. - Put it away with a good wash and wax job to protect the paint. Protect the chrome with
wax or paint sealant. - When a car sits, the oil settles into the pan, leaving the engine without lubrication. In the
spring, disconnect the coil wire and crank the engine over several times or until the oil
pressure increase – if your vehicle has a gauge. Then reconnect the coil wire and you should
be good to go!
Visit Griot’s Garage for everything you need to get your car ready for winter, www.griotsgarage.com.
