When the winter weather takes hold, the risks to your cars multiply – icy roads and poor visibility, salt and grit causing damage to your paintwork, and even frozen windscreens. What’s more, journeys are often slower, less predictable, and more demanding. All in all, it’s little surprise that many drivers opt to store their car away for the colder months.
But storing your car away also brings its own challenges for your car, and must be monitored carefully to minimise the risk of harm. Below, we’ve put together some key tips to ensure your car enters the following spring unscathed:
Tyres – slightly over‑inflate them before storage to help prevent flat spots developing during long periods of inactivity.
Cleaning and covering – wash the vehicle thoroughly, making sure it’s completely dry before parking it in the garage. If you’re particular about paintwork, a soft indoor cover will help protect against dust and debris, especially if the garage is in regular use.
Moisture control – place dehumidifying crystals inside the car to reduce the risk of mould. Avoid heating the garage, as this can encourage moisture build‑up, and remember that most vehicles won’t be harmed by freezing temperatures.
Battery and fuel – use a good quality battery charger or conditioner to keep the battery in working order; the best units cut off automatically when fully charged. Keep at least a quarter of a tank of fuel in the car, as draining the tank is hazardous and leaves flammable vapour behind. Unless using ethanol-free fuel, use E5 and a quality fuel stabiliser to prevent damage to carburettors and fuel tanks, as well as degradation of incompatible fuel lines and seals.
Engine and fluids – don’t start the car and leave it idling without driving, as this can cause harmful fuel residue to form in the engine. Also check that coolant is at the correct level; many garages offer a winter check if you’d prefer professional reassurance.
Garage checks – inspect the garage regularly to spot potential hazards. Wildlife such as birds or vermin may seek shelter and can cause extensive damage (wiring is a particular target), and regular checks also help reduce fire risks
Most of our policies are based around an anticipated annual mileage, which should include the winter months. If you don’t intend to drive your car during the winter, you can amend this to a ‘Laid Up’ cover. However, doing so will remove any cover to drive your vehicle anywhere that the Road Traffic Act applies. This includes certain areas of private land where traffic laws still apply, so you must exercise caution before using your car. If you keep your full cover in force, this will not present an issue.
Want to leave it to the professionals?
Opting for a professional storage company can be an excellent option in the winter months. High-quality storage facilities provide a dry, secure environment to store your pride and joy away from the elements, and give you complete peace of mind that your car is safe from harm.
But not all storage companies are made equally. To ensure our clients – and their cars – receive excellent care, we’ve partnered with Concierge Car Storage (opens a new window) to provide professional third-party storage services at an exclusive rate. Key features include:
24-hour monitored CCTV
Intruder and fire-detection systems
Physical barriers to entry (including security gates and ram-proof bollards)
Other services included as standard are high quality car covers, battery management services, warm engine cycles, tyre protectors, and axle stands. Collection and delivery services are also available to help you protect your car without the hassle.
Whichever storage company you choose, all you need to do is advise us of the storage company's name and address. We have existing relationships with most of the UK’s leading car storage firms, and their security measures are known to insurers. For other firms, we may request some additional information about the protection measures they have in place.
If you plan to keep driving through the winter, read our article on how to stay safe (opens a new window).
For more information, reach out to a member of our team.
