How to keep your car in good condition during long periods of dormancy

(Editor’s note: During November, ClassicCars.com magazine will publish a series of stories about equipping the garage, whether it’s a shell that has just been completed or a shell that you’ve already worked in but is ready to redo and upgrade. As always, you’re welcome to comment. , If you have a story about how to equip your garage, we would like to share your story and photos with others. Contact us at journal@classiccars.com.)

Storing your classic car in the long and cold winter requires more than just parking and ignoring it until spring. When the cruising weather finally recovers, you want to be able to take your baby out for a drive instead of spending time, money and energy resurrecting it after six months of negligence.

Bad air, dead batteries, damaged paint and interiors, tire problems, rodent and insect infestation, and even rust due to accumulated moisture and mechanical problems can all be avoided by taking some simple care measures, and then Classic put down the winter hibernation. 

The preparation of this guide assumes that the vehicle will not start or drive during storage. According to this idea, you should put away the collection car for the winter, and will not be disturbed until spring.  

Although these techniques are designed for collection vehicles and trucks, they can also be applied to motorcycles, tractors, and other pneumatic tools.

Here are 10 steps to keep your vehicle in good condition during long-term storage: 

• Thoroughly clean and refine your vehicle. Apply a layer of wax and polish the chrome and other shiny parts. Also clean the tires and treat them with a good non-solvent tire conditioner. If your car has a convertible roof, store it on top (otherwise the fabric will shrink), clean the fabric and treat it with a specially designed product. 

• Clean the interior. Vacuum thoroughly to remove all small debris and debris that may attract pests. Polished leather and vinyl. Buy a few packets of desiccant at a hardware store to absorb moisture. In addition to providing protection, you will be grateful in spring when you step into a clean and dry room.

• Store your car in a weatherproof structure on an indoor concrete surface and never put it on a dirty floor. Sweep and wash the floor before parking, and then spread a large piece of plastic as a moisture barrier to prevent moisture from entering the bottom of the car through the concrete floor. Even if your floor is painted or epoxy coated, plastic tarpaulin is a cheap insurance.

• Change the oil. Used oil is full of pollutants and residues, and if left in the crankcase, it will damage the engine. Always store the vehicle with fresh engine oil. As long as the car does not start during storage, you can keep fresh oil and drive away in the spring-unused oil will not deteriorate. Check all liquid and top up if needed. If your brake fluid has been used for several years, you can also consider replacing it. Lubricate the front end and chassis as needed. 

• Make sure your cooling system contains the proper antifreeze mixture to avoid freezing, which could cause the engine block to crack. In very cold climates, you might consider using engine block heaters, as you do for everyday drivers.

• Place the battery on a high-quality battery holder. Make sure that the device has an automatic shutdown function to avoid overcharging, which can damage the battery. If possible, remove the battery from the vehicle, and if the garage does not have heating, take it into the house for the winter.

• Add a fuel stabilizing product to the gas, and then fill up the tank. This will extend the life of the fuel while protecting the fuel tank, fuel system and engine from corrosion. Drive the car out for 20 minutes, let the chemical-filled gas circulate through the system, and then fill up the fuel tank again. Ethanol in the gas absorbs water, and a tank filled with water allows the humid air to gather in less space. 

• Use steel wool to plug exhaust pipes and any other openings, such as engine air intakes, to prevent small animals from entering. Check the car regularly to ensure that no unwelcome guests are staying inside, in the engine compartment, trunk or under the car.

• Jack up the vehicle with a jack and place it on a sturdy jack stand-never use cinder blocks or any other temporary stand that may fail unexpectedly. There is some controversy about storing the vehicle on the jack for a long time because it may put unnatural pressure on the suspension-decide for yourself how to deal with this problem. One solution is to remove the wheels to reduce the weight of the raised suspension. 

Basically, lifting the car from the tires prevents them from showing flat spots, but this is no big deal for modern tires. There are also so-called tire brackets, which can help avoid flat spots; some people use thick corrugated cardboard. Inflate the tires slightly higher than normal, and if possible, wrap the wheels and tires with plastic sheeting. Always release the handbrake to prevent it from getting stuck. 

• Place the vehicle under a high-quality cover, preferably a cover that has a soft inner surface, does not damage the paint, and is thick enough to protect the body from collision. Since your car is indoors, the cover does not need to be waterproof; it is best to use a cover made of breathable material.

You may disagree with every suggestion given here, you can change your method according to your specific needs and conditions. But keep in mind that the precautions you take when storing the vehicle in winter for a long period of time can prevent a lot of heartache when you take it out again.

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