How to Properly Store Your Summer Car for the Fall and Winter Months
westchesterdetailing
Sep 24, 2022
Properly preparing your vehicle for winter storage will ensure it stays in good running condition until spring. Follow these key maintenance steps before putting your car into storage for the winter months:
- Fill Up the Gas Tank
Top off your gas tank within 1 week of storage to minimize air exposure and prevent inside-tank condensation. Adding fuel stabilizer helps keep gas fresh for up to 2 years. - Check Fluid Levels
Refill windshield wiper fluid, coolant, brake fluid, and transmission fluid if needed 1-2 weeks before storage. Refer to your owner's manual for specifications. This prevents levels from dropping over the winter. - Inflate Tires
Fill tires to maximum recommended PSI 1 week prior to help prevent flat spots from forming while parked. Use a pressure gauge to check. - Clean and Charge Battery
Remove any corrosion and debris from battery terminals using a wire brush and baking soda solution. Fully charge the battery 1 day before storage to prepare it for cold temps. - Wash and Detail Thoroughly
Deep clean the exterior, tires, wheels, and interior 1 week before storage. This removes contaminants that can damage paint or upholstery over time. Pay attention to dust buildup on convertible tops. - Store in Cool, Dry Place
Keep your parked car in a garage or covered area maintaining 40-50°F to prevent exterior/interior damage from temperature swings. Lower convertible top windows slightly.
A common misconception in the world of ceramic coatings is that two layers automatically equates to better performance. The truth is much more nuanced than this. Professional ceramic coatings vary significantly in their formulations, properties, and durability ratings, regardless of the number of layers applied. A high-quality single-layer coating, properly applied, can offer exceptional protection and longevity.
AC drainage issues can pose the tricky problem of sneaky vehicle water damage, turning your car into a breeding ground for mold, causing health risks. Oftentimes, water improperly drains onto the super absorbent padding on the underside of the interior carpets. This problem normally occurs after a blockage in the AC outlet hose, when the hose is shifted out of place, or with kinks or bends in the hose, leaking water inside of the vehicle. This enclosed, waterlogged carpet is a source of moisture, creating the perfect place for mildew, mold and bacteria growth. The dark, humid environment of a car, especially under the carpet, provides ideal conditions for mold spores, which are present everywhere in the air to settle, grow and thrive. The absorbent carpet fibers and padding act like a sponge, absorbing and retaining moisture. This trapped water, combined with the lack of airflow and sunlight under the carpet, creates the perfect environment for mold to multiply rapidly, often undetected until a musty odor becomes noticeable, if not unbearable.
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