How to Properly Store Your Car During Winter

Blog Jan 30th, 2023

Cars parked outside in snow
As Canadians, you know how unpredictable winter can be. The constant drop in temperature calls for days-long snow, tricky road surfaces, and dark and foggy weather conditions — adversely affecting your vehicle’s functionality. This unpleasant weather condition also impacts the driver’s ability to get through icy, snowy, slippery roads easily. Plus, the hassle of getting winter tires, maintaining fuel levels and keeping an eye on the battery condition is an add-on to an already demanding problem. This is why many vehicle owners opt to store their cars throughout the winter season or while going out on vacation. But what is the right way to keep your vehicle during extreme winter? Read below to learn from the expert technicians at S&B Keswick Motors, who have years of experience caring for cars in different weather conditions.

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Top Winter Car Storage Tips

Firstly, you should know some main reasons why storing your car properly and safely during the winter is important. These reasons include the following:

After a heavy snowstorm or an extreme drop in temperature, you may face difficulty starting the engine, especially when it’s parked outside overnight or for an extended period.
Winter salt and heavy snow can affect the operation of your vehicle by blocking its exhaust pipe.
The moisture from freezing rains, winter salt and melted snow can block your car’s air filters, and in older car models, it can also corrode or rust the fuel tank, as well as the exterior.

The best way to store your cars and retain their functionality is by keeping in mind the below expert-recommended tips:

If possible, park your vehicle under a shelter or in a garage. But if you don’t have access to such a place, use a car cover or tarp to protect it against moisture accumulation that can damage your car’s exteriors.
Invest in a good-quality anti-freeze to protect your vehicle’s powertrain system from rust and corrosion. Anti-freeze is a fluid that restricts the water in the engine from freezing, even when the outside temperature runs below the freezing point.
Keep an eye on your car’s fluids, and make sure you don’t leave any air inside the fluid tanks for longer, as this can result in condensation. Condensation leads to corrosion, eventually damaging your car’s powertrain system. Use a fuel stabilizer to create a protective layer for the fuel in the gas tank.
While storing your car, you can take out the battery and keep it in a dry place or at home because, in winter, car batteries can lose up to 35% of their strength, which affects their lifespan. You can use a battery tender to ensure it stays charged so that you can put it back in the car and use it in an emergency.
When you park your car for longer, it compresses the tires, and after a point, the tires start to lose their pressure — this is why you should add a little more air to your tires before parking your car in winter. You can also use a thick wooden plank under the tire to protect them from puncturing.

For more winter car storage and maintenance tips, Visit S&B Keswick Motors, a reliable car dealership with dedicated teams to help you care for your vehicles. You can also visit our dealership at 475 The Queensway South, Keswick, ON, to get in touch with experienced technicians.