Winter Storage Tips
It’s not that
far away. Cold weather is coming and for some people that means sending their old iron into mothballs until the spring thaw. In order
to make sure your car comes out of winter storage in the same condition in which it went in, there are some major items to take care
of before closing the garage door.
Fuel: top off the tank and include fuel stabilizer, circulating it throughout the system by taking
a short drive before putting the car in the garage for the winter.
Cooling: Drain the entire system and the radiator and refill with
rust-deterrent antifreeze.
Oil: Change both the oil and the filter and choose a winter oil with corrosion protection.
Battery: Hook
it up to a charger or a similar charge-maintaining device for the duration.
Tires: Deflate slightly to take stress off the suspension
or, better still, elevate the vehicle on jack stands.
Paint: There’s no substitute for that pre-winter bath, complete with a thorough
drying and a nice coat of wax. Choose a car cover made of breathable cloth and stay away from plastic that traps moisture and encourages
rust. (On any unpainted metal surface, a layer of rust inhibitor is a good idea.)
Vinyl, leather, rubber: In dry climates apply a preservative
to the seats, dash, and other interior components to moisturize the material and ward off cracking.
Convertibles: Put the top up for
the winter or you run the risk of shrinkage during extended periods of storage.
Finally, you’re not setting
up a winter hostel for varmints and insects. Your best defense is mothballs – and plenty of them – inside the car and under the dash.
Don’t forget to cover the tailpipe or you’re just leaving the back door open.
From the Hi Country Early Ford V8 Club newsletter, "The
Distributor,” November 2011 edition
