Winter Accessories For Your Car – You don’t have to be an auto mechanics expert to know the havoc that winter can wreak on your vehicle. Snow, ice, temperature extremes, road salt and even moisture can damage the exterior and compromise its drivability. Fortunately, you can fight back. This quick guide explains how to prep your car for winter weather. You’ll also learn about the best outdoor car cover options for your vehicle when temperatures dip.
How To Store Your Vehicle in Winter?
Indoor storage is strongly recommended for vehicles during winter. But you need more than four walls and a roof. While your car’s hibernating, indoor dust and particles can dull or even scratch its paint. Moisture can also be a problem – even a little bit of it trapped can lead to corrosion.
A car cover protects your vehicle from these and other hazards. Flannel covers are a great indoor storage option – they keep out dust and their breathability lets air flow and moisture evaporate. Flannel covers are also waterproof, so they also keep moisture away from your paint. And thanks to their soft interior linings, your paint job stays pristine.
How To Prepare Your Car for Winter Weather?
Now you understand why a car cover is essential. But before you garage your pride and joy, you must also get it ready. Cleaning is the first task, which requires a few key steps:
- Wash, polish and wax your car thoroughly.
- Remove tree sap, bird droppings and other debris from the exterior.
- Clean out your car. Remove food wrappers, paper and other garbage.
- Vacuum your vehicle’s carpet, seats and other dirt-prone surfaces.
To ensure your car is as clean as possible, you need the right tools. The California Car Duster is an excellent choice. This duster is a wax-treated pure cotton mop that lifts dust away instead of spreading it around. It cleans both interior and exterior surfaces without scratching them – that includes paint, wax, chrome, leather and vinyl.
Getting your car ready for storage involves more than just aesthetics. You should also top off the gas tank – ideally with high-octane low-ethanol fuel. If you’re garaging for longer than three months, add a fuel stabilizer. This prevents water separating from your fuel. Also, change your oil and filter before storage. While you’re at it, don’t forget to flush and refill the coolant system.
Winter weather can also impact your battery and tires. For newer vehicles, a battery tender is your best solution. Your tender keeps the battery at proper power levels without overcharging it. If you prefer removing the battery from your classic vehicle, you should store it in a warm place and apply dielectric grease to its terminals. You’ll also want to inflate your tires a little more, but don’t exceed their maximum pressures.
A Few Last Words About Car Storage
So, you’ve read about the best car dusters and how to prep your vehicle for winter storage. Before you roll it into your garage and slide on its cover, make sure that its surfaces are completely dry. Also, keep your garage temperature above the dew point to prevent moisture condensation. With these tips and your prep, your car will be ready in the spring.