The Ultimate Car Winter Storage Guide
Well winter is on it's way, the nights are drawing in and the frost is starting to appear in the mornings. Take a look at our handy tips on how to best look after your classic or super car before you store it aware for winter. Don't leave things to chance - make sure you give it a good once over before leaving your motor to hibernate for a few months.
Check out our ten top tips, with a few ideas for supporting products, just in case you need to stock up.
1. Clean the Beast
Remember that time Jeremy Clarkson tried driving a muddy truck through a black-tie event? Yeah, don't be that guy. Before putting your vehicle to bed, treat it to a spa day. No automated wash nonsense, do it the old-fashioned way. Machines may be good for many things, but they lack the TLC your car deserves.
- Meguiar's Ultimate Liquid Wax - Because your car deserves a shine that rivals my forehead on a sunny day.
- Chemical Guys Butter Wet Wax - Not only does it sound delicious, but it's also delightful for your paint.
- Car Gods Black Ceramic Wax - If your name's Eros, this is a must. If not, it's still a pretty good wax.
2. Inside Matters Too
A car's interior is a sanctuary. One time, I found a sandwich from 1987 under a seat. The car's value immediately dropped. Don't be the person who discovers time-travelled snacks. Clean out your car's insides as if royalty was about to take a ride.
- King of Sheen Interior Car Cleaning Kit - For when you want your car interior to feel like royalty.
- GTechniq Tri-Clean - Because the inside matters as much as the outside.
- GTechniq Smart Fabric - Awesome stain and dirt repellant
3. Keep the Pests Out
During a winter in the 90s, I found a family of mice conducting Shakespeare plays in my boot. Adorable, but not ideal. If you don't want critters turning your ride into a theater, take precautions.
- Victor M250S No Touch, No See Electronic Mouse Trap - Mice check-in, but they don't check out.
- Ultrasonic Pest Repeller - Deterrence is better than death!
- Motel Mouse Humane Mouse Traps - The Ritz-Carlton for unsuspecting rodents.
4. Quench its Thirst
Imagine being parched for an entire winter. Terrible, right? Don't let your car feel that. Keep its tank full, and remember that one time when my car sputtered and died in the cold because I thought "fuel stabilizers" were a scam? Lesson learned.
- STA-BIL Storage Fuel Stabilizer - The elixir of life for fuels during winters.
- Lucas Oil Fuel Stabilizer - Because Lucas knows how to keep things stable.
- Sea Foam Motor Treatment - It's not from the sea, and it's not foamy. But it's magic.
5. Freshen Up
The last time I went without an oil change, my engine sounded like a cat in a blender. Not a pleasant noise. A fresh engine is a happy engine. Make sure you check the compatibility with your car, before changing the oil!
- Carlube Triple R Motor Oil - Like a fountain of youth for your aging vehicle.
- Mobil 1 ESP X2 Motor Oil - When you want to extend the party for your engine.
- Elf Evolution Full-Tech FE High Performance Motor Oil - Fit for automotive royalty. Get this if you want your car to feel noble.
6. Cool It
If you ever see a car spewing steam like an old locomotive, know that someone neglected their coolant. It's like forgetting to wear your coat in the Alps, you'll freeze, or in this case, overheat.
- Prestone AF2100 Extended Life Antifreeze - For those long, cold winter nights.
- Comma XSM5L Xstream G30 Antifreeze - It's the classic for a reason.
- Granville - Zerocol 48 Anti-Freeze - Open All Hours has got nothing on this!
7. Care for the Shoes
Ever worn a shoe for too long and it deforms to your foot's shape? Now, imagine your tires doing the same on the garage floor. You don't want wonky wheels, trust me.
- SecureFix Direct Tyre Saver - Keeps your tires in shape. It's like a gym membership for your wheels.
- Haskyy Tyre Shoe Tyre Bed - Cradle your tires, like the babies they are - ordered in pairs!
- Slime Digital Tire Inflator - When you need to puff up those shoes for a drive.
8. Power Down
Once, I thought I'd be smart and save power by disconnecting the battery. Result? I forgot where I put the battery. Save yourself the trouble and invest in a trickle charger. It's the lazy (and smarter) way.
- AA Battery Charger and Maintainer - It tenderly cares for your battery. Like a battery babysitter.
- HULKMAN Sigma 5 Battery Trickle Charger - It's a genius, so you don't have to be.
- Schumacher SPI12245 Automatic Battery Charger - This isn't Arnold's relative, but it's strong.
9. Keep it Under Wraps
Covering your car is like tucking it into bed. And trust me, a car that's been tucked in is a happier one. That time I didn't use a cover? I had to spend hours removing bird surprises. Avoid my mistakes.
- Budge Lite Car Cover - Light, breezy, and perfect for bedtime.
- Custom Fit Car Cover - Fit for a king, or at least your prized automobile.
10. To Start or Not to Start?
A wise man once said, "If you don't use it, you lose it." But when it comes to cars, the jury's still out. If you do choose to start it occasionally, ensure you're not gassing out your neighbors or any potential mouse tenants.