Winterizing Your Car: How to Make Your Vehicle Winter-Ready

Winter's cold temperatures pose unique challenges for your car. Snow and slush, road salt, and gravel can wear down the paint and bodywork. That’s why it’s essential to thoroughly prepare your car for the cold season and store it safely, especially if it’s a valuable classic car. At CARIFY, we’ll guide you through everything you need to know.

Why Is It Important to Prepare Your Car for Winter?

Even if your car remains in the garage during winter, you can’t simply park it and expect it to run smoothly come spring. Extreme temperatures can freeze fluids like windshield washer fluid and cause hoses to burst. Moisture can seep into cracks and crevices, leading to mold. Any dirt on the body can damage the paint and cause corrosion. At CARIFY, we offer tips to help you prevent these issues.

Protection Against Cold and Moisture

The ideal winter storage for your car is a dry, well-ventilated garage with consistent temperatures (around 15°C is ideal) and humidity levels around 40%. This prevents condensation inside cavities. If the space is too damp, dehumidifiers can help. If you don’t have a suitable spot, check with local parking garages for long-term parking options.

Preventing Corrosion and Paint Damage

To ensure your car survives winter unscathed, it requires thorough cleaning and maintenance inside and out. This helps prevent rust and protects the paint and body.

Before storage, fill up the fuel tank to avoid condensation, which could lead to rust.

Steps to Properly Winterize Your Car

Cleaning and maintenance are just the start. Here’s what else you need to do to safely store your car for winter:

Battery Maintenance: Disconnect or Use a Charger

Cold weather and unused batteries don’t mix well. Disconnect the battery at the negative terminal or, better yet, remove it entirely and store it in a cool, dry place. Charging it monthly with a battery charger will extend its lifespan. Alternatively, connect it to a trickle charger.

Check Fluids: Coolant, Oil, Brake Fluid

Add antifreeze to the radiator to prevent corrosion and deposits. Replace windshield washer fluid with a winter-grade one. It’s also a great time to change other fluids. Old oil can contain residues that harm engine parts, so replace the oil and oil filter.

Protect Tires: Increase Pressure or Lift the Car

Tires can become brittle if the car sits for long periods, especially if under-inflated. Increase the tire pressure to around 3 bar or lift the car to reduce strain on the tires.

Preserve the Undercarriage and Prevent Rust

The undercarriage collects dirt and moisture, which accelerates rust. Before storing, inspect for damage and repair it if needed. After an undercarriage wash, apply an underbody sealant for protection.

Lubricate chassis grease points and hinges. If unsure, take the car to a trusted mechanic for thorough preparation, including replacing old spark plugs.

Tip: Add a bit of motor oil to the open spark plug threads to help the engine start smoothly in spring.

On the drive to storage, rev the engine one last time to evaporate any remaining condensation in the exhaust.

Interior and Exterior Care

Interior Cleaning and Dehumidifying

Pay special attention to the interior. Remove and clean floor mats, checking for damp spots. If moisture is present, find and fix the source. Dehumidify the interior with chemical-based dehumidifiers and leave them inside during storage. Keep a window slightly open for ventilation.

Vacuum the interior and clean upholstery stains. For leather seats, apply leather care products. Inspect rubber seals for cracks that could let moisture in, and use care products to preserve them. Grease hinges to prevent them from seizing.

Paint Protection: Polish and Wax

Thoroughly clean the car, paying attention to wheel wells and hard-to-reach spots. Remove stubborn residues like bird droppings, which can damage paint.

Polish scratches, repair chips with repair kits, and apply a protective layer of hard wax to seal the paint. Let the car dry completely afterward.

Safe Vehicle Storage

If you plan to leave your car idle for winter and switch to other transportation, a secure storage location is ideal and can even reduce insurance premiums.

Use Garages or Covered Spaces

The safest option is a lockable, well-ventilated garage with stable temperatures. Carports are another option, though they leave the car exposed to freezing temperatures. Rental garages or monitored parking garages are also alternatives.

Use Car Covers

If you lack access to a garage, car covers can protect the vehicle from dirt, though they don’t shield against moisture or cold. Use interior covers to keep dashboards dust-free.

Conclusion

Preparing your car for winter storage requires some effort—likely a full day. While professionals can handle many tasks, certain steps like disconnecting the battery or lifting the car are still up to you.

If you opt for a CARIFY car subscription, you can avoid these hassles. Choose a subscription term for the summer and return the car before winter. CARIFY offers flexible car rentals starting from one month, including services like seasonal tire changes.

FAQs

How can I prevent tire damage in winter?

Tires can suffer when a car sits idle for long. To avoid damage, use tire cushions, increase tire pressure to 3 bar, or lift the car to reduce pressure on the tires.

Should I disconnect my car battery?

Yes. Disconnecting the negative terminal prevents corrosion and battery discharge. For longer storage, remove the battery completely and charge it regularly or use a trickle charger.

What products protect car paint in winter?

• Cleaning products: Use pH-neutral shampoos and wheel cleaners.

• Waxes: Carnauba-based waxes provide water-repellent protection.

• Sealants: Polymer or ceramic sealants offer long-lasting paint protection.

• Spray sealants: Quick, easy solutions to refresh paint protection.

• Protective films: Transparent films prevent scratches on sensitive areas.