How to Put Your Car into Storage

Start by filling the fuel tank. Low fuel levels can lead to rust from moisture inside a metal tank, or the moisture can mix with and ruin the fuel in metal or plastic tanks – especially with modern fuels that contain ethanol. Try to use zero ethanol fuel, but since that’s nearly impossible to find, add a fuel stabilizer that will help stop fuel storage issues.

This is a good idea all the time, so use this opportunity to top up or replace these fluids as needed: the engine oil, antifreeze, windshield washer fluid, and brake fluid. Old oil is full of moisture and acids that aren’t good for engine internals, so it’s an ideal time for an oil change. Test your antifreeze and if you’re not in a heated garage be sure to add winter washer fluid to avoid freezing.

Before storing your car for winter, give it a good wash. We have a full guide on how to wash your car here.

This will be the last time you clean your car for a while, so don’t rush it! Aim to start this routine before winter is in full swing. If you’re a bit late, you can still give your car a good wash in the cold.

Don’t forget the car’s interior! Cleaning the interior includes vacuuming the carpets and removing leftover garbage to help keep rodents out. To ward off moisture, place boxes of baking soda or silica gel on the vehicle floor.

Check the air pressure in each tire and repair any punctures. Use a tire inflator to make sure the pressure reading matches the manufacturer’s specifications. You can typically find this information on the inside of the driver-side door.

Storing your vehicle for longer than six months over the winter? Consider using jack stands to take weight off the suspension but don’t leave the tires hanging.

To keep it in good condition, remove the battery before you store your car for winter. Store the battery in a warm, dry place. Leaving the battery somewhere too cold can cause it to freeze and crack. Plus a battery that runs to low voltage will fail sooner and won’t start your ride in the spring.

Alternatively, you can use a trickle charger or battery maintainer to maintain the battery’s power. Use one with an automatic shutoff feature so it won’t overcharge the battery.

Store your car for winter in a safe, dry space and on a level surface. Ideally, this’ll be inside a garage, an underground parking lot, or a car storage facility with a concrete or asphalt floor. Avoid storing your car on gravel or bare earth because it may sink into the ground – plus the underside will be exposed to moisture and contaminants.

Finally, seal in the work you’ve done with a car cover. This’ll help protect your car from external damage. Some manufacturers offer covers made specifically for their vehicles, so see if you can find a perfect fit.

If you have to store your car outside, invest in a quality car cover. A plastic tarp will trap moisture and scratch paint.

Keep the car in park if it’s automatic and in neutral if it has a manual transmission. If you’re worried about the car rolling, place wheel chocks behind the tires. Don’t set the parking brake, as it can seize in place.