Storing your car in winter is an important process that most people forget! While it may seem like unnecessary work, this article will talk you through how to properly store your car for the winter season.
Winter can be a tricky time if you do not take care of your vehicle. If you are looking to get some good deal on snow blowers or other cars, check out our review of the best ice scrapers here!
Luckily, we have prepared a few steps for you to follow to help your car get all the needed winter storage it deserves! Read on for more information.
Disclaimer: We have tested these tips in various conditions so there may be some differences in effectiveness depending on the weather, temperature, and area. Try them out and see what works for you!
Editor’s note: This article was written with the average person who knows very little about automobiles. If you know something about cars, such as where things go, then add those details onto the paragraphs below.
Check the coolant
The first thing you should do if your car is freezing up is check the liquid that makes it work. Liquid engine cooling fluid (cooling compound, as some like to call it) can sometimes get confused with gels or other additives in the mixture.
If your car is having symptoms such as white smoke coming out of the exhaust, grinding engines, or cars that won’t start, then don’t worry about doing anything else until you have checked the coolant!
You may also notice thickened coolant, which could indicate an imbalance of chemicals in the fluid. Make sure that everything has been mixed properly, and make certain that there are no clogs present in any heat exchangers.
Removal of hardening agents like glycerin is another way to test whether the fluid contains contaminants.
Flush the cooling system
This is one of the most important steps in storing your car for the winter, and it can be done right away if you are careful!
When winterizing your vehicle, make sure to flush out all of the coolant from the engine. Do not forget this step or your car may suffer major damage!
Cooling systems work by transferring heat from the engine to the fluid. As the fluid gets colder, it becomes denser which causes the engine to burn more fuel to achieve the same temperature. This could result in overheating and potential fire!
It is very important to never pour anything other than plain water into your car’s radiator! Acid, alcohol, bleach, and any kind of cleaner will not only hurt your engine, but also potentially start a fire.
Make sure brakes are properly attached
While it’s tempting to just leave your car in the driveway all winter, doing so is not a good idea! This can be disastrous if you need to use the vehicle soon or someone else will have access to it.
If you must park your car in the cold, make sure there are no cracks or gaps around doors and windows that could cause water to seep in and freeze. Also, ensure the battery is protected from exposure to frost as well as possible dead batteries.
Avoid leaving any items like tools or jewelry inside of the vehicle because they may get stolen along with the car.
Winterizing your car is an important safety measure that should be done even if you don’t plan on using the vehicle until spring. If you happen to have to pull it out early, at least you’ll know how to do it.
Make sure tires are properly inflated
Along with ensuring your car is winterized, make sure that it is fully fueled! If you run out of gas before winter, your engine will not start when you need to use it.
Also, check your vehicle’s fluid levels – most cars have at least three different types of fluids: gasoline, brake, and transmission fluid. Make sure to never let any of these get low, as they all play an important role in moving your car.
Once spring comes around again, pull out the hose and test them to see how full they are. You can also do this by running down the road with no gear or pedal pressure- if there is some then add more until there isn’t, just be careful not to overfill.
Assign a responsible person for care of the car
It’s important to know how to properly store your car for the winter, not just because it will preserve the safety of your vehicle, but also to ensure that you do not have any issues in spring!
There are several different ways to store your car and we will go into more detail about all of them here. However, before we get too specific, let us review some general tips first.
General Tips
We would like to advise you to only follow these tips if you live somewhere that has access to a lot of open parking spaces during the winter. If you don’t, then you should be thinking about finding either someone else who does or investing in snow removal equipment so that you can keep up with basic necessities such as keeping the roads clear.
Sadly, this is not the case for most people living outside of major cities at this time. Many areas become completely isolated when there is even the smallest amount of precipitation and many drivers do not have the resources to stay ahead of weather conditions.
It is very difficult to tell how much space is actually available to you until you enter certain streets and intersections, which can sometimes take hours due to traffic congestion. This makes it hard to find a safe place to park unless you really luck out and happen to find an empty spot.
Snow Removal Equipment
If you do not own any snow removal equipment, this can be quite expensive.
Keep windows and doors closed
While it’s tempting to leave your car idle during winter, doing so is not a good idea! Leaving your vehicle running with the engine off can cause rust or even damage the motor.
If you must park in very cold conditions, make sure to keep the vehicle window and door lids closed to prevent heat loss and moisture accumulation. You should also check the fluid levels of important fluids such as antifreeze, brake fluid, and gasoline.
Never run out of gas while the engine is still hot! This could result in an explosion or fire. Make sure to always have enough fuel on hand before parking under hazardous weather conditions.
Winterizing your car is an easy process that can be done by most anyone. It only takes a few minutes at a time, but can save you big money in repairs later on.
Insulate with blankets
Another way to keep your car warm is by using wool blankets to cover up any cracks or holes that could cause heat loss. You can get durable, thick blankets at most department stores or online shopping sites!
Thick flannel sheets are perfect for this because they easily roll up and store away when not in use. To be clear, do NOT put plastic sheeting over the windows of your vehicle! This will only trap more hot air inside, making it even harder to stay safe.
Instead, pull out the wool blankets to help preserve some internal temperature regulation.
Use a battery charger
One of the biggest causes of death in cars is when drivers run out of fuel. Unfortunately, most people do not keep their car’s gas tank full in winter because it can seem unnecessary.
But leaving enough gasoline in your car will help it start up more easily in the spring! Plus, dry gas means less chance of engine seizure due to water contamination.
Fortunately, there are several good hand-crank chargers that work just as well if not better than ones with batteries. You may even have one already at home!
By using these chargers instead of a computer or phone connected charger, you save money in the long term by avoiding expensive electricity bills. And you’re helping the environment by reducing energy consumption.
If you still want to use an external power source such as a smartphone charger or laptop cord, make sure to fully discharge them before putting away your car key for the season.
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