Alright, so we don’t actually have seasons in Southern California. In fact, as I write this, it’s a beautiful 72 degrees and clear outside. But, we know a lot of you have to suffer through some tough winter months… so this one is for you! If you live almost anywhere else in the United States right now, you’re probably already battening down the hatches and firing up the wood stove in preparation for the cold. And if you own a classic car, one of your first orders of business should be securing your car in a manner that will keep it safe from the elements. You might already have a plan for storing your car, but these tips will help you keep your prized possession safe, and ready for the road come spring:

Fill the tank. Keeping your gas tank as full as possible while your vehicle is being stored is the best way to prevent moisture from forming inside the tank. An empty tank allows moisture to form on the inside of the tank. That moisture can react with the steel, causing oxidation. This corrosive build up can eat through your tank and cause gas to leak and spill out onto the ground when you eventually fill the tank. Of course, classic cars with their original fuel tanks will also have a fair amount of sediment at the bottom of the tank. Running the car close to empty will not only allow moisture to form, but it will drag that sediment through your system when you start the car, potentially leading to clogged fuel lines.

Keep fuel fresh. Gasoline molecules start to breakdown in 90 days or less. Keeping fresh fuel in your engine will prevent stale fuel from clogging your fuel lines, injectors, and carburetor jets. Check out our prior post for more information on bad gas and fuel phase separation. Fill your tank with the highest octane fuel right before storing it for the winter, and add a fuel stabilizer, like STA-BIL.

Change the fluids. It may seem like a no-brainer, but don’t forget to change your fluids before storing your car. Take your car out for a ride to warm it up, then drain the old oil, add new oil, and change the oil filter. For water-cooled engines, flush and replace the coolant (unless it’s been done recently, say, in the last two years), using a 50/50 mixture of ethylene-glycol and water. Do NOT use more than 50% water. The cold weather can cause the water to expand, which may lead to a crack in the block around the water jacket passages. For cars used primarily for racing, use a 50/50 water/antifreeze mixture for winter storage. Transmission fluid and differential oil should also be changed, and it’s a good idea to bleed the brakes to get rid of moisture from the brake lines.

Clean it up. Cleaning your car before storing it for the winter will protect the finish and interior. Give the exterior an all-over wash, including rocker panels, door jambs, and the inside of the fuel door. Finish with some wax to further protect the paint, and then move on to the interior. Clean the inside thoroughly, including the seats, door panels, and carpets. Use carpet and upholstery shampoos to remove any stains and to keep the car smelling fresh. Remember to clean the trunk, and finish off with bags of silica gel or desiccant to keep everything moisture-free.

Lube. Lubing hinges, latches, and locks will ensure that nothing seizes up while sitting in a cold or damp location for months. Applying a light layer of grease to weather stripping will prevent it from cracking in the cold.

Clean your storage area. Be sure to go over your storage area with a fine toothed comb before putting your car away for the winter. It is important to make sure there are no pest problems in your storage area, as rodents and insects will be attracted to the vehicle to build nests. Your storage area should be cleaned of dirt and kept dry. It’s also a good idea to keep your car in a storage area that is not often opened to the elements. For example, if possible, don’t store your classic car in the garage that you drive in and out of with your daily driver.

The miracle of plastic. Placing plastic sheeting under the area where your car is parked is essential to protect from moisture rising up from the floor, which can rust the car’s underbelly. There are car “cocoons” that you can zip up after driving onto them to protect the entire car and seal out moisture. Fill the ends of tail pipes with steel wool to deter pests.

Raise the roof. Use a good quality trolley jack to take stress off the tires and suspension components. The car should not be stored with the trolley jack, but rather with strong axle stands to secure the body while it’s elevated. Use the recommended jacking points for your car. You can also add wooden blocks under the tires so the suspension isn’t fully extended while in storage. Once you’ve got the car in the air, make sure it is in neutral and disengage the parking brake. This will keep the rear brakes from locking up over the winter. If you can’t raise your car up, we suggest increasing the tire pressure all around to avoid flat spots from the extended storage. You might need to go up 30-40 psi per tire. Just make sure you deflate the tires before you hit the road!

Remove the battery. Cold weather can stress batteries, especially when a car isn’t being started and driven on a daily basis. Remove the car battery for the winter and store it in a warmer place inside the house. Keep it on wooden blocks to reduce energy drain. Of course, we suggest hooking it to a charger so that it will be ready to go when you put it back in the car for your first spring drive.

Keep it covered. A good quality car cover is a must for safely storing your vehicle. A cover made from breathable material that is fitted to your car is best, so that dirt and moisture cannot build up on the surface of the vehicle. This author is a fan of Covercraft covers. They have a wide selection of fabrics and price points, tailored for various needs and situations.

Start the car periodically. It is important to start the car once in a while, even though it may be difficult during the winter months. If you’re able to, we recommend starting and running the car at least once every other month. This should be done on a “warmer” day, hopefully with temps above 40 degrees F. Try to run the car for 30 minutes, to ensure that the battery is charged and the engine gets warmed up.

Proper storage during winter months is a necessity for your classic car. Winter elements such as severely cold temperatures, moisture, and salt can cause major mechanical and body problems for your vehicle. Hopefully, with these tips, you’ll be able to tuck your car away for the winter, so that you can get a good night’s sleep.