When it starts to get cold outside and the leaves start falling from the trees, it means winter is on its way. It also means it’s almost time to put your classic car in storage.

It is really important to protect your classic car when you’re not using it. Leaving it outside in the elements can cause serious damage and hurt its resale value. This is especially true in both cold weather and warm weather states.

Snow, ice and road salt can do serious damage to the car in cold weather areas. High temperatures and extreme sunlight can do damage to the car’s exterior in warm weather areas.

To help protect your classic car when you’re not driving it, storage is the best option. Following the tips below will help prepare your classic car for storage.

Tip #1 – Wash Your Car: Before putting your car in storage, be sure to give it one last cleaning for the year. This is especially important if it has been driven in the snow. You want to remove any dirt, debris and road salt, which can damage the exterior of your vehicle.

Make sure your car is completely dry before placing any car covers over it. This will help prevent any water spotting. Be sure to also select a car cover that is made of soft, lint-free fibers.

Tip #2 – Check The Coolant: If you live in a cold weather climate, this is especially important. Be sure to check engine coolant levels. You want to make sure there is enough antifreeze in the car to protect it against cold temperatures.

During extremely cold temperatures, you may also want to run a heater in your garage. When using a space heater, be very careful. Space heaters are common sources for garage fires.

Tip #3 – Tires And Bearings: If your car will be sitting in storage months on end, it would be beneficial to remove the wheels and place the car on axel stands. This will help to protect the wheels and the bearings from the weight of vehicle.

If you don’t plan on removing the wheels, take your car out every once and a while on nice winter days to keep the wheels moving.

Tip #4 – Filters And Spark Plugs: Before you place your car in storage, be sure to replace all the filters in your vehicle. You will also want to remove the spark plugs to make sure no moisture gets trapped in the engine. This could lead to engine corrosion.

Tip #5 – Battery: If your car is going to sit in storage for a long time, it’s a good idea to remove the battery. This will help protect your car while in storage. To help preserve the battery, hook it up to a battery charger that will keep a slow charge on the battery.

Summary: Following these five tips will help protect your classic car while it is in storage. Be sure to keep your classic car repair manuals and service manuals for classic cars in a safe place, so you can easily reference them if you need to repair something while in storage.

Author Bio: CDManuals.net sells electronic auto repair manuals including Dodge auto repair manuals for most older vehicles. Visit them at http://www.cdmanuals.net/ for great deals on your vehicle\’s auto repair manual.

Category: Automotive
Keywords: car storage, car storage tips, storing cars, classic car storage