How to Store Your Car Outside

As winter once again begins to rear its ugly head, many of us will begin to think about the best way to store our favorite vehicles for this season. Having garage space or an indoor storage option is without a doubt the preferred and optimal setting to store a vehicle for a season. However, if indoor storage for your vehicle is not an option, there are some steps you can take to make sure your vehicle survives outdoor car storage.

Thoroughly Clean Your Car Before Storing Outside:

Thoroughly wash your vehicle, taking special care to clean the wheel wells and fenders. Waxing after a wash is a great way to add an additional layer of protection to your vehicle’s paint job and will help safeguard against harsh weather. If you’re in need of some cleaning supplies, make sure to check out our TechCare Exterior Wash & Wax Kit.This contains everything you’ll need to give your vehicle one last deep clean before wrapping it up for the off-season.

Pay special attention when cleaning the interior. Any leftover food crumbs or beverage spills that are not properly cleaned will attract all kinds of unwanted guests. TechCare Interior Detailing Kit has everything you’ll need to thoroughly clean your vehicle’s interior. Also, make sure to leave some kind of drying agent or dessicant in the vehicle when storing outside. This will help absorb any excess moisture or humidity accumulated in the vehicle during the season.

Fresh Oil:

Make sure to get an oil change as close as possible to when you’re going to store the car away. Contaminants in used oil could potentially cause damage to the engine if sitting for an extended period of time.

Fill Up Your Car’s Gas Tank:

Topping the tank off will prevent moisture from building up inside the fuel tank, causing damage to components. Add a fuel stabilizer to your fresh tank to prevent the gas from deteriorating.

Remove the Battery if Storing the Car Outside During Winter:

Cold weather can wreak havoc on a car’s battery, so this step is crucial if you plan on keeping your car outside during the winter months. Removing the battery and connecting it to a "smart" charger, such as the WeatherTech Battery Charger, will help keep it in peak condition.

Top Off Coolant:

Make sure your coolant levels are filled to the recommended point. Not enough can cause important components to freeze, causing damage to the engine.

Raise the Wheels:

Or remove them entirely and put the vehicle on cinder blocks or jack stands. Outdoor winter storage is not kind to tires, and there’s a list of other issues that can arise outside of just flats. If it’s not possible to remove wheels completely, at the very least over inflate the tires and place a chock in front of the wheels to keep the vehicle stationary. Do not engage the parking brake.

Lubricate Flexible and Moving Components:

Storing your car outside during the winter can cause components designed to flex and move to become brittle. Parts such as steering fittings, suspension fittings and the front and back wheel bearings should receive some fresh grease or lubrication before going into storage.

Protect Your Engine from Animal Damage:

Use steel screen and tape or a clamp to secure the vehicle’s intake and exhaust. These are prime locations for rodents and other small creatures to hide out during the harsh winter weather.

You also may want to consider using mothballs or another type of rodent repellent to keep critters from chewing up your upholstery and engine wires.

A Good Cover Goes a Long Way:

Avoid using tarps or other covers that are not specifically shaped for your vehicle. These generic solutions can sometimes do just as much harm as good by damaging the paint, keeping moisture locked in and allowing easy access for unwanted vehicle guests. Sunbrella Outdoor Car Covers are custom sewn and made to order specifically for your vehicle. So you can be sure it will fit perfectly. Designed specifically to tackle outdoor storage, these car covers work great all year and are even an ideal cover for winter storage. They will keep your vehicle safe from exterior damage during the weeks and months it’s in storage.

Looking for some additional tips to keep your car safe? Be sure to check out our article ""How to Store a Car Indoors"" for even more information!