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