Winter Parking: How to store your car without an indoor garage

If you own a convertible, nothing beats driving around in summer or fall with your top down. But as winter comes in, you don’t want to drive in the snow or subject your ride to the corrosive salt used to clear the snow, so you are faced with the problem of storing it until spring.

You could park it in a garage and be done with it, but what if you don’t have an indoor garage? There many alternatives to indoor garages such as public storage facilities and parking lots that offer long-term parking. However, you must consider the importance of picking a safe place to store your car. About 1.7 million vehicles are stolen every year, and although winter has the lowest auto theft rates, it is still essential to safely store your car.” Advises Charles Cridland, co-founder of parking mobility company YourParkingSpace.co.uk. Once you have chosen a secure location, here is how you prepare your ride for winter.

• Keep your ride covered

The ideal place to store your car is a garage, but if outside storage is your only option, there is a lot you can do to reduce the damage. The first step is to get a cover to protect it from the harsh weather and debris. There are plenty of tents, tarps, and covers available. Make sure you get a quality cover because it is the first line of defense between the elements and your car. If the vehicle is outdoor, get a waterproof cover. You might be off on vacation in a warm sunny place, driving another vehicle you leased from https://www.intelligentcarleasing.com, but a quality cover gives you peace of mind no matter where you are.

• Thoroughly clean the car

It might seem absurd to get your car cleaned before putting it away, but you don’t want to store a dirty car. Water stains and bird poop can damage the paint job. Any mud, grease, and tar under the fenders and on the wheels can trap moisture, which can lead to rusting. Any food crumbs can attract critters such as rats. That, coupled with the warmth in your car can result in them creating a nest in your back seat. Use your household vacuum cleaner to get all the dirt out. Choose a warm, dry day to clean, wax, and polish your car.

• Look after the engine

If you are storing your car for longer than a month, it is advised that you get an oil change. Used oil has contaminants that could harm the engine. Fill up the tank with premium non-alcohol fuel to prevent moisture from accumulating. Also, buy a fuel stabilizer to avoid any ethanol build-up and to protect the engine from gum, varnish, and rust. Run the engine or drive the car around to mix it in.

Lastly, depending on how long you are storing your car for, consider removing the tires. This will prevent the tires from deforming due to being in one place for a long time. With these few tips, your car will still be in good condition when spring rolls in.