Car owners choose to store their vehicles for many reasons, including keeping it protected from Wyoming’s harsh winter weather conditions. There are a few options for parking, such as covered outdoor spaces and self-storage spaces.
Quality self-storage units like Westbank offers basic and temperature-controlled storage for optimal safety and security of your vehicle. Regardless of where you choose, proper preparation is key to maintaining the car’s condition.
Preparing Your Car for Winter Storage
Getting a vehicle through the cold months of winter in Wyoming can be worrisome. With winter comes moisture and the potential for rust and damage. Properly storing a car through the season is an excellent way to avoid long-term damage.
Winter storage involves more than covering the vehicle with a tarp. It’s a combination of efforts meant to maintain the condition until spring arrives. Consider the following tips for preparing your car for winter storage.
Car cleanup
Having the vehicle professionally washed will remove any contaminants and dirt or grime. This helps to protect the finish, keeping it in pristine condition until you’re ready to drive it again. You want to remember to clean the wheels where brake dust can build up, leading to damage over time.
Once the car is clean, polish the car with a coat of wax to help protect the paint and finish against the winter elements. Waxing preserves the clear coat, preventing contaminants, such as bird droppings from damaging the exterior. Polishing the chrome components adds a layer of protection.
In that same vein, the interior should be cleaned before storing the vehicle. This involves vacuuming the carpeting and seats to remove dirt and dust. Glass cleaner can be used for the windows and mirrors and a damp cloth to wipe down other surfaces, including the dashboard.
You want to pay attention to hard-to-reach areas, all the nooks and crannies, where hidden debris or food particles and wrappers can breed mold and mildew while in storage.
A good tip is to place seat covers over your seats to protect them from dirt and dust and use desiccant packs to absorb moisture and prevent mold and mildew. For the best results, these packs should be placed in areas prone to moisture build up, like the glove box or the trunk.
Fuel and fluids
Before moving a vehicle to storage, standard maintenance tasks of topping off fluids should be done.
This includes an oil change, checking the coolant and adding a fuel stabilizer to prevent fuel deterioration and corrosion. Visit -Here are some ways you can prepare your vehicle for Wyoming winters. | News | wyomingnewsnow.tv - for tips on preparing your vehicle for Wyoming winters.
Oil change
Idle cars are susceptible to engine corrosion from exposure to the elements and a buildup of rust. Changing the oil and oil filters is essential to prevent engine damage while the car is in storage, especially if it will be there for longer than 30 days.
After the oil is changed, allow the car to run to get the oil to circulate for maximum protection.
Coolant levels
Coolant levels must be checked and topped off before placed a vehicle in storage for the winter to prevent engine damage from too high of a water concentration level. A coolant tester will verify the radiator fluid’s freezing point. This ensures the vehicle is prepared for a bitter winter season.
Fuel stabilizer
Fuel stabilizer is recommended to be added to the gas tank to prevent oxidation, damaging the fuel lines, fuel system, or engine. This should be added to the tank and then run the vehicle for several minutes to ensure it circulates through the system.
The battery
When the vehicle will be stored for a prolonged period, disconnecting the battery can prevent it from draining. The negative terminal should be removed and then the positive and then store the battery in a warm, dry location, such as a garage.
It’s beneficial the storage area will have a power source so you can keep your battery connected to the vehicle. A trickle charger with an auto shut-off feature supplies a steady, low-level current to ensure the battery remains charged.
The tires
Tires should be inflated to the recommended PSI or use wood planks and jack stands when storing the car for winter for an extended period. These measures prevent flat spots from forming due to the weight of the vehicle pressing on the tires over the long term. The owner’s manual will provide the correct PSI.
Final Thought
Finding an appropriate storage solution for your vehicle during the harsh Wyoming winter is essential. Read here Wyoming winter vehicle tips.
Many car owners opt for self-storage, enclosed units where they know their autos will be safe and secure from the outside elements and pest intrusion. A vehicle is a substantial investment worthy of optimal protection.
