How to Winterize your Classic Car
It's hard to believe but winter is fast approaching which means if you live in an area where snow abounds and the air gets arctic, your sweet classic car is getting ready to go into hibernation. Some people put their cars away and are shocked when it doesn't start in the spring or it's been a winter home for a family of critters. Who's with me on this one? I've been guilty of this several times. Having learned my lesson, I'm passing on some tips to help get your car ready for its winter slumber and for its jubilant return in the spring.
Before You Store Your Car
1. Find a nice dry, dark storage location for your classic beauty. Preferably a spot with limited access to protect your exterior. Finding a spot with a concrete floor is best to keep moisture away. If you have to park your car on a dirt or gravel floor then it would be a good idea to throw a plastic barrier or some carpet squares down to stop moisture from creeping into your under carriage.
2. Give your car a good wash and then wax it. If your car is dirty and you cover it, you may find plenty of unwanted scratches in the spring when you're ready to take it out.
3. Fill your gas tank with the good stuff and add some fuel stabilizer. Run the car for a few with the stabilizer so it can get into the nooks and crannies. Then fill your tank back up. If the tank is full then there is less room for air which causes moisture. There's nothing worse than finding your fuel tank rusted or fuel contaminated when you're ready to ride in the spring.
4. Change the air filter and the oil right before storage. This will help reduce the risk contaminants eating away at your engine while it's away for the winter.
5. Check to make sure your anti-freeze is full and clean.
6. Add air to your tires.
7. If you are storing your classic car off site, you may need to report this address to your insurance company. Check with your agent to see what your insurance company requires.
8. Change your insurance coverage for the winter. Instead of canceling your policy all together which can lead to a lapse in coverage and higher rates, suspend your liability and collision coverage. By keeping comprehensive coverage only, which covers your car from theft, fire or hail damage, you can keep your rates low and still protect your car.
While Your Car is in Storage
1. Keep baking soda refrigerator packs in the trunk and interior to soak up any moisture.
2. Wrap the air cleaner/air inlet and exhaust pipes with plastic bags. You can also cover them with aluminum foil and tape them up. Try inserting steel wool in the tailpipe and place pans of cedar chips around the outside of the car. This will help keep insects and vermin from making a cozy home in your classic beauty.
3. Close all the windows. You don't want to leave out the welcome mat for critters.
4. To avoid flat spots on your tires, you may want to place the car up on jack stands. This will also help with the longevity of your suspension since it won't be supporting the weight of the vehicle of all winter.
5. For the battery (which has died on me more times than I can count!), there are two options. First you can unhook the battery by disconnecting the negative cable first and then storing the battery separately. You want to store it in a cool, dry place and not on a concrete floor where it will be prone to freeze. Your second option is to hook a battery tender to your battery if there is electric available at your storage location. This is also a good option if you want to start the car a few times over the winter without the hassle of dealing with putting the battery in and then pulling it out.
6. If your car is going to be exposed to freezing temperatures, make sure you remove any personal items that may burst inside the vehicle. Nothing worse than having a bottle of soda coating your beautiful interior.
7. To start your car over the winter or not to start your car. That is the question! There are many thoughts floating around on this topic. Unless you can start your car and get it up to operating temperature for at least 10 minutes to burn off water vapors that develop during a cold start, don't do it. Otherwise water will be left in the combustion chamber and exhaust components. That's not nice surprise to deal with in the spring!
I hope these tips help keep your classic car in great shape over the winter. Time to buckle down, get the shovels ready and dream of cruising in the spring.
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