Your luxury car is not only a thrill to drive; it’s an investment. In winter, protecting it from the elements becomes a top priority. The dark, cold and snowy roads make driving conditions less than ideal. More importantly, the salt on the roads and the dirt trapped in the snow can harm your supercar. That’s why we’ve looked at the necessary steps for storing a car for winter.
Choosing to keep your car in storage for the worst of the winter months is a smart move. Getting out on the open road can wait until spring, but first, you need to ensure your car stays in tip-top condition. Here are the key points to consider.
Special Tips for Classic Car Care
Some luxury cars are suitable for use all year round, especially in milder regions. However, if your car is a classic, then it’s even more likely that you’ll want your pride and joy to avoid the harsh consequences of winter. Maintaining a classic car is less costly than the repair bill will be, so storage is the best option,
Before we look at the general tips on how to store a car for winter, we’re focusing on the additional actions that classic car drivers should take.
1. Lubricate – Perishing materials are a key concern for classic cars. When storing, you can take care of moving parts, such as hinges, with some lubricant. As for areas like doors, windows and open tops, a silicone treatment on rubber seals can prevent issues.
2. Use wheel chocks – If your classic car will be in storage for a few months, leaving the handbrake on could cause damage. The disc and pads can stick, which is costly to fix. If you put chocks against the wheels instead, you can leave the handbrake off and keep your car in place.
3. SORN – Road tax for classic cars doesn’t come cheap. To balance the costs, you can go online to set up a Statutory Off Road Notice (SORN) and retax your car when you’re about to head back on the road.
Storing a Car for Winter: 8 Tips to Protect Your Supercar
When it comes to supercars, we know that there’s no need to overcomplicate things. At the same time, if there’s a job that needs doing, it’s worth doing it well. That’s exactly the case when it comes to winter storage. A little bit of effort and knowing how to best protect your car goes a long way. Here’s how to do it.
- Shelter from the Elements
Let’s start with the basics of storing a car for winter: put it inside. Ideally, you can put it in a climate-controlled indoor space. That prevents the damp, cold and dirt of winter from reaching your luxury vehicle. This option also provides improved security while your car isn’t being driven.
If you don’t have your own space, it’s worth checking out professional storage options. We understand that this isn’t an option for everyone, so we’ve also covered what to do if you have to store your car outside.
- Stay up to Date on Service and Maintenance
Before you put your car in storage, it’s time to check the date of your last service and whether you’ve carried out any maintenance that’s needed. It’s the best way to ensure that, come spring, you’ll be ready to hit the road.
We prefer to be proactive and get any work done as winter approaches. Not only does it mean that your car goes into storage in the best condition possible, but you won’t lose time having new parts fitted when the weather is better. Get your brakes checked and have OEM disc brake pads fitted to your Lamborghini, Ferrari or Bentley as needed.
- Fluid Check
Before storing a car for winter, it’s a good idea to replace fluids. Check the levels, remove the existing fluids and refill the oil and the antifreeze. The reason for replacing instead of just topping up is that these fluids can contain contaminants. When left sitting for long periods, they can be corrosive and damage engine parts.
We also recommend regularly checking the fluid levels while your supercar is in storage. That way you’ll get the best performance when you drive out in spring.
- Top It Up
It’s not just the oil and antifreeze that need some attention. It’s best to fill up the fuel tank before your luxury car goes into storage. Taking this action prevents condensation. After going to so much trouble to put it somewhere warm and dry, you don’t want moisture to build up from the inside.
This step is particularly important for classic cars as the tanks are made of metal. Any condensation build-up can lead to corrosion. That’s something that everyone wants to avoid.
- Consider Charging
When storing a car for winter, taking care of the battery is paramount. A flat battery will certainly spoil your enjoyment of your supercar in the spring. Instead of letting your battery capacity reduce, invest in a trickle charger. They use low voltages over longer periods to keep a battery charged.
Remember to follow any manufacturer instructions for how long to leave the trickle charger running. By using a Rolls Royce trickle charger on your Ghost or Phantom, you’ll maintain performance without damaging the battery.
- Tyre Check
Another check to add to your list is your tyre pressure. Don’t let it go below the manufacturer’s recommended psi or BAR. While your car is in storage, the tyres could lose pressure. The flatter they are, the higher the risk of damage to the tyre, wheel and the rest of the vehicle.
In fact, in winter, you’ll want the pressure to sit at the top of the recommended range. That’s because cold air contracts, leading to a lower volume, so top them up before storing.
- Keep it Clean
Storage can help you avoid the salt, grit and dirt of winter. However, that won’t do much good if your supercar goes into storage carrying all of those and other contaminants. Make sure it’s clean and dry before it goes inside.
It’s not just the outside that needs some attention. To have your car in the best condition for some thrilling spring drives, it’s worth cleaning your car on the inside or having it detailed. That way all dust or dirt will be gone before you put the cover on.
- Take Cover
That’s it; we’re onto the final step of storing a car for winter. Putting it inside is good, but you get even more protection by using a cover. We recommend getting a cover that’s made to fit your vehicle. It’ll keep out dust, pollutants and UV rays.
The ideal cover is soft so as not to cause any scuffs or scratches. A lightweight and breathable material is best so that any condensation can escape. Before putting on the cover, leave a window slightly open to prevent interior condensation.
Caring for Your Luxury Car When Indoor Storage Isn’t an Option
If storing a car outside for winter is your only option, you can still take some steps to protect it. As well as performing your winter checks, you can adapt the tips above. Cleaning, replacing the fluids, filling up the tank and using a cover all still apply.
Raising the wheels and using chocks so you can leave the handbrake off can ease the strain on the tyres, so take this step if possible. If cables to the battery aren’t an option, you can consider removing it and attaching it to a smart charger. For those concerned about local wildlife, you can consider capping and screening off accessible areas to prevent nests and chewed wires.
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