The car shows, cruise in events and poker runs are over.. for many of us in our area.
Have you been thinking about storage? Winter hibernation so to speak for many car enthuisast is a yearly tradition and for many, it's something they are ready to do year after year to help keep their classic, muscle, antique or just prized vehicle so they will last longer.
But, what if you are new to the idea of putting your vehicle away for the winter months?
Why would you do this? Well, here in the Northeast we have salt and such tossed about on our roads. No matter how hard you wax, wash or clean them, salt that will quickly destroy our beloved classic and collector cars.
Rust, or as some call it, tin worms. The salt interacts with the metal and begins the process of "eating" the car alive, which can cost thousands to save, repair and make whole again.
Are you planning to put a vehicle away for the season? If you are you’ll need to make some special preparations.
It’s tempting to think that your car will be exactly the way you left it after a long time away. But the reality is, there’s a lot of car maintenance you get to skip when your vehicle is in regular use. If you’re looking to leave for a while, these five tips will help you give your car the care it needs.
1: Find a place to store it. Dry and secure from the elements.
Cars take a surprising amount of damage from the elements. Hot days can wear down the paint, and wild animals can even get trapped under your car. It sounds silly, but this happens more often than you’d probably think.
If you have a garage you can use, you already have this step covered. If not, consider finding a place to store your car while you’re away.
2: Wash it, Wax it. Protect it.
Generally speaking, washing and detailing your car is an underrated technique to extend the life of your vehicle. It gives you a chance to clean up gunk that’s been accumulating on your car and even prevent it from rusting. For these reasons, you’ll want to give your car a good clean before you leave it for a while.
3: Cover it with a quality cover that will let it breathe but keeps it dry and dust free.
Even if you wash your car, you don’t want dirt to get caked onto it while you’re away. Besides, this will help retain that clean car shine for when you get back.
If you don’t have access to a cover for your car, you could skip this step without that much consequence. However, for anyone who has the capacity to cover their car, you have a lot to gain for not a lot of effort. If nothing else, use some old sheets and blankets.
4: Fill the tank and change the oil - check all fluids
Yes, you want to fill your tank despite not planning to use your car. Empty oil and gas tanks can cause moisture to build up, which can lead to rust. Similarly, old oil can also become contaminated, which is equally as harmful to the insides of your vehicle. A full gas tank and a fresh oil change prevent both these things from happening.
5: Remove the battery
If your car is inactive, your battery is going to die out. At best, this is an inconvenience, and at worst, your battery can actually start to corrode. If you can safely remove the car battery and store it in a temperate climate, you can ensure that no serious damage is done to your vehicle while you’re gone.
Alternatively, if this sounds too complicated, you may be able to put a trickle charger on the battery. This obviously won’t be a viable option for many people as power supply all winter must be avaialbe, but it’s still a surefire way to avoid car battery issues while it's resting for the Winter.
We love our cars and we enjoy the pleasure they bring to others and the memories that they share. Those memories will last a liftime... and your car can last as well... if you take care of it.
See you soon!
"Uncle" Bill OGorman (607) 543-1215
The Royal Auto Group - Chevrolet, Nissan and Subaru - New and Pre-Loved
