How To Properly Winterize Your Car For Winter Storage

This time on EatSleepDrive, we follow 5 easy steps in order to properly prepare your car for winter storage.

Links for stuff in the video:

[Metalcop]

Modern tires do not flat spot. That is antiquated bias ply technology. Your suspension is not designed to remain at full 'droop' for extended periods of time. It is bad for your shocks, springs, bushings etc. Your car is designed to support its full weight, 100% of the time.

[markamd]

Never put your vehicle on jack stands for pro-long periods of time. The little surface area on all 4 corners will cause damage to the frame over time. Also, having the ride such as this (Sports-Car) jacked up leaves the suspension in a "Non-Natural" position, gaskets start to stretch Ball joints are not in their natural position either.

[Campbase]

Actually, you should have put the Stabilizer in at the gas station so it got run through the carb or fuel injectors. Injectors can be damaged by gas sitting in them.

[cantcatchm]

this video helped me winterize my M3 for its first winter. Many thanks from Ottawa, Canada!

[ursus]

One more thing that should be done is to plug your exhaust pipes and your cold air intake with steel wool to prevent mice from making a nest in there. (I actually had that happen to me.)

[Tremoring]

Well presented - I like that insurance tip, that's something people always forget.

[j-fgauvreau]

Nice video! Jacking the the car on the frame also helps to reduce metal fatigue, maybe not much on a lotus but on a heavy pick up truck, your suspension will thank you :)

[vimalalwaysrocks]

@2:54.. "Drink up Lotus!" ... lol..

[nospam]

Put the stabilizer in right before you do your fill up at the gas station. Then, drive another 20 mins so it gets circulated and sucked into the engine, etc., then go top it off one last time, then home to park. Otherwise, the stabilizer isn't where it really matters.

[gawdzilla]

nice vid. rules may vary from state to state on the insurance tip. i've never done the insurance lowering over the winter, but at least in MD they are pretty sensitive about minimum insurance coverage if you have a tag. there is a daily fine for having a tag and not having minimal insurance on a vehicle here. so the process might involve turning in your tag first, then dropping insurance coverage to fire & theft only. at that point it may not be worth the hassle and re-registration/tagging fees come spring.

[arricammarques]

Would blocking the exhaust-tailpipe prevent moisture buildup?
Sharp looking lotus, mate! :)

[WPGinterceptorInterceptor]

Use the gas additive BEFORE you fill up so it mixes!! also over inflate the tires to prevent flat spots! fog motor!

[apolloandratti]

Good really good advice, here! If you put your car on jackstands, thoughts on removing the wheels as well in order to eliminate the long term stress on the suspension? Thanks and keep the videos coming

[msw]

I say start the car once a week, or have someone start it, and take it for a spin at least 2x a month. Not moving a car around a few months seems risky. I wouldn't want my car on jack stands for that long. Even in winter there are some decent days that the car could be driven around the block, or at least started. I have a car cover without a garage. People feel a garage is wonderful. Well there are gases in the air that are not always the best for a car in a garage. Cars get dirty or dusty staying in a garage unless one covers their car in a garage.

[raven-wolf]

hey... what about if you don't have a garage just and open drive way?
And about the tire flat spots how long does that take to occur?
Can you just move the car up n down the drive way.. will that do the trick?
and I had my gas in my car for like over a month can I still put the fuel stabilizer into it or no? does the gas have to be fresh?
excellent video and I will be waiting for your response.. much appreciated

[helluvablunt]

Hey, thanks for this informative video on winterizing our rides! So I will be able to follow all your steps on winterizing my car except for 2 steps. I live in an apartment complex and park my car underground in the basement so I won't be able to lift the car up but that's not a big deal as I will inflate the tires to max. But my big issue is the battery. There is no wall plug and so I won't be able to keep my battery on charge. What should I do about this?

[StreetDrivenDaily]

Do we need to change the oil ? Thanka for the tips.

[Ali-Muscle]

What if you don’t have an outlet socket in the garage?

[epicunicorn]

And also cover it with a car cover so it doesn't get all dusty

[Justin]

Nice! you missed some points:
-Wash the car and wax it!
-Overfill the tire pressure (5~psi)
-Car cover