Here in Minnesota wintry weather is inevitable and it’s approach triggers the unavoidable – putting your fun car away for winter. While none of us enjoy locking our favorite car away in storage for the better part of 6-months, there are a number of steps that can be taken to ensure your car is ready to hit the open road when the weather turns. We’ve included a number of storage tips below to make sure your car has a trouble free winter slumber and is in tip-top shape when it comes time to take it out of storage.

• Prior to storage bring your car fully up to operating temperature
• Find a dry, dark location to store your vehicle. Concrete floors are best.

 

• Lay down plastic sheeting on top of the concrete where your car will be parked
• If covering your car, give your car a good wash and wax if possible to prevent any scratching inflicted from covering a dirty car

 

 

• To prevent excess air in the tank from condensing and causing potential issues, fill the fuel tank with a fresh tank of fuel and add fuel stabilizer.
• Arrange an oil change prior to storage to prevent contaminants from working into your engine. An added benefit is that when spring arrives you’ll be ready to hit the road with fresh oil

 

 

• Inflate your tires to 55 PSI to prevent flat spots. Don’t forget to reduce to your recommended pressures when taking your car out of storage.
• In cold climates, like here in Minnesota, it’s important to have your antifreeze checked to confirm it can withstand our chilly temperatures.

 

 

• Unhook the battery or install a battery trickle charger
• Put a desiccant or two in your vehicle to absorb any moisture that might exist
• Roll all windows up, ensure your sunroof is closed
• DO NOT engage the parking brake.

 

• Rodents in an unattended car can cause serious problems to upholstery, wiring and hoses. To prevent unwanted visitors from making a home in your car, put steel wool in your exhaust pipes. Consider taking proactive rodent control measures in the area adjacent to your car.
• Finally, confirm with your insurance agent that your insurance is current and optimized for coverage at your storage location