Top Tips For Winterizing Your Classic Car
Most classic car owners choose to store their cars over the winter rather than deal with harsh weather conditions and icy roads. However, storing a classic car properly is more than simply stashing it away in a garage or under a cover for several months. To keep your vintage vehicle in top condition, it's essential to understand the necessary steps for winterizing it before storage.
Preparing your car for storage isn't difficult and can usually be done in your garage or driveway. Let's take a look at six top tips to ensure that your classic car is ready for spring after winter storage.
Get a Full Tank of Gas and Add Stabilizer
When you put a car into storage, you must have a full tank of gas. This eliminates extra air space and reduces the risk of condensation and rust inside the tank. Once you've filled your tank, add a fuel stabilizer and drive the car for a short distance to circulate it through the fuel system. Fuel stabilizers keep evaporation and oxidation at bay. With a full tank of gas and a stabilizer, your fuel should still be fresh when you start it up in the spring.
Start With Clean Fluids
Along with filling and stabilizing your fuel tank, it's important to change your engine oil and filter before putting the car in storage. Old or dirty oil can cause problems if it sits in your engine too long without running. Changing to fresh oil is a much better option for protecting against corrosion while the engine is cold and not running. Even if the car isn't due for an oil change yet, it's still best to go into storage with fresh oil. If you can, drive it for a short trip to circulate the oil, and consider starting the vehicle once a month to recirculate.
Similarly, it's important to check some other fluids and ensure that most fluids are fresh. Check your coolant to make sure the reservoir is full and in good condition. Coolant becomes less effective over time, so it's important to have a strong mix that won't freeze. Brake fluid is also notorious for absorbing moisture over time, so you might want to bleed and refill the brake fluid before you store the vehicle.
Remove and Store the Battery
One thing you might not realize is that car batteries can become compromised when they sit unused in cold temperatures. A drained battery might freeze and thus be ruined. To avoid this, you should remove the battery entirely from your car and store it in a dry place that won't reach freezing temperatures. You could also attach a trickle charger to the battery while it's in the car to keep it from slowly discharging. It's still best to ensure that the car and battery aren't stored in a place that will reach freezing temperatures. It is a good idea to keep a battery maintainer on the battery. It is a good idea to keep a Battery Maintainer on the battery.
Guard Against Rodents
One of the most unfortunate parts about storing a vehicle over the winter in a relatively warm spot is that it will immediately become attractive to small animals like rodents. Mice can do a lot of damage in a short time, including chewing and shredding your upholstery and wiring. If you don't want to find this unwholesome surprise in the spring, there are some precautions to take. Start by sealing off entry points. Close all the vents and air inlets in your car. Pack tinfoil or steel wool into your exhaust pipe and other intake openings.
Another step to take is using rodent repellents. Powerful odors work well to repel rodents, so you might put strongly scented dryer sheets or mothballs in your car and around the storage area. You can also use strong scent dispensers if your car is kept in an interior like a garage or shed.
Keep Your Tires From Going Flat
One final issue that might plague you in storing your car over the winter is finding it with a flat tire in the spring. There are a few ways you can avoid this. To start, inflate your tires slightly over the normal pressure. Tires naturally lose around 2-3 psi per month. You could also roll the car occasionally or use jack stands to rotate the weight and keep it from resting on the same patch of tire. Be sure to check out JBs winter tire and wheel packages.
Clean and Cover Your Classic Car
The last step before leaving your car for the winter is to thoroughly clean the car. Wash the exterior by hand and then apply a layer of wax to protect the paint. Do the same with the interior by vacuuming and removing trash. Once the car is completely dry, you can cover it with a high-quality breathable cover. Avoid using a plastic tarp or other non-breathable cover.
Get Ready For Spring
By following these tips, you can help ensure that your classic car stays dry and protected through the winter months. Most of these tips are easy to do yourself, but if you need fluids changed, you can also visit us at JBs Power Centre, with three locations in West Edmonton, South Edmonton, and Calgary.
Winterizing Your Classic Car FAQs
Q. Why is winterizing a classic car important?
A. Winterizing protects your classic car from damage caused by cold temperatures, moisture, and long periods of storage. Without proper preparation, components like the battery, fuel system, tires, and interior can deteriorate, leading to costly repairs when you're ready to drive again.
Q. Should I start my classic car during winter storage?
A. In most cases, it’s better not to start the car unless you plan to drive it long enough to reach full operating temperature. Short start-ups can create condensation in the engine and exhaust system, which may lead to corrosion and damage over time.
Q. What steps should I take to protect the fuel system?
A. Fill the tank completely and add a high-quality fuel stabilizer before storage. This helps prevent condensation and keeps the fuel from breaking down, which could otherwise clog the system or make starting the car difficult in the spring.
Q. How do I properly care for my car’s battery over the winter?
A. Disconnect the battery or use a battery maintainer (trickle charger) to keep it at an optimal charge level. Cold temperatures can drain battery life quickly, so maintaining it ensures reliable performance when you're ready to use the vehicle again.
Q. What’s the best way to store a classic car during winter?
A. Store your car in a clean, dry, climate-controlled environment if possible. Use a breathable car cover, inflate the tires properly (or use tire cradles), and take measures to prevent moisture buildup and rodent damage. Proper storage conditions are key to preserving both the mechanical and cosmetic aspects of your vehicle.