6 fool-proof ways to protect your classic car during the winter

Picture the scene (in fact, just take a look at the photo above): it's a devilishly cold December morning; a glittering, endless frost covers everything in sight while deep mist keeps the world around you mysteriously hidden. It’s cold. Really cold. This might present a problem. You see, you’ve just unearthed your beloved Alfa Romeo Spyder from storage and you’re dying to take it out for a spin. The only problem is, this particular car was built in 1977 and has been kept under wraps for the best part of a year. So, you hold your breath, insert the key and turn it gently… Will it start? That’s exactly what we did just before Christmas and, you know what? It started first time; the engine fired into life as quickly and as smoothly as though it had just rolled off the production line. But, we knew it would. The reason for this is that we care deeply about the cars we store for our customers and understand the roles climate control and regular starting play in ensuring that our long-termers don’t present any problems when they eventually need to leave our care. There’s a lot you can do yourself in order to ensure your classic car survives a winter in storage, and in this blog, we’ve hand-picked six vital techniques any careful owner can - and should - invest their time in before saying "goodbye":

1. Wash it (thoroughly)

Washing your car before storage may seem a little odd, but it’s imperative that you give the vehicle the clean of its life before it goes into hibernation. Ensure everything is spotless, including the undercarriage and engine bay.

2. Drain and refill the coolant

Completely flush the coolant to remove any gunk and refill with the best antifreeze mixture you can find.

3. Perform a mini service

Unless the car is due a big service, a simple oil and filter change will do, but don’t forget this crucial step - you want to ensure that your car is thoroughly refreshed during its time in storage to ensure there’s no unpleasantness remaining when the time comes to lift that cover.

4. Remove bulbs and the battery

Unplug the battery to preserve its life, but make sure you remove the bulbs, too. By covering the contacts you reveal with petroleum jelly, you’ll prevent the damaging side effects of oxidisation. Oh, and remember to store the battery at room temperature and with a nice, constant trickle charge!

5. Take the handbrake off

Don’t worry, it won’t go anywhere - this is simply to ensure that the brake itself doesn’t seize while in storage.

6. Don’t forget about your insurance and MOT

Insurance leaves you protected in case something goes wrong and the requirement for an MOT doesn’t change just because you’re storing the car. Don’t forget these two essential elements of car ownership! That’s it! Your car is ready for winter storage. Don’t forget, we can take all of this off your hands (including any additional maintenance and paintwork that may be required), so please do not hesitate to get in touch to find out more about our car storage service.