Storing a car or motorcycle for the winter

A car or motorcycle parked for months can come back with a dead battery, flat-spotted tires or a mouse nest in it. Your owner's manual has the storage steps for your model. The battery and tire steps apply to a car or a motorcycle. The rest are for a motorcycle.

What you need

• Your owner's manual
• A battery charger or maintainer
• Fuel stabilizer
• A tire pressure gauge
• A breathable cover sized for the vehicle

Steps

1. 1

   Clean it

   On a motorcycle, dirt, bugs and road grime harm the finish over time. Let the engine cool before washing, and a coat of wax adds protection through the storage months.

   45 min

2. 2

   Have the fluids changed if they're due

   A motorcycle's fluids break down over time and can turn acidic. If the oil, brake fluid, clutch fluid or coolant hasn't been changed recently, have it done before storage. Fresh oil clears out the dirt and metal particles old oil carries.

   5 min

3. 3

   Fill the tank and add stabilizer

   Don't drain a motorcycle's fuel tank, which leaves it open to corrosion. Fill it instead. Add fuel stabilizer following its maker's instructions, so the fuel doesn't break down and clog parts.

   15 min

4. 4

   Look after the battery

   Connect a battery charger or maintainer, which keeps a low charge going through the winter. For a car in extended storage, the other choice is to take the black negative cable off the battery. Your owner's manual shows how.

   10 min

5. 5

   Set the tire pressure

   Check the tires cold, before the vehicle has been driven, and set them to the pressure on the driver's door frame or in the owner's manual. Keep a motorcycle on a center stand, or roll it to turn the tires at least once a month, so they don't develop flat spots.

   10 min

6. 6

   Plug the openings

   Plug the exhaust and the air intakes on a motorcycle to keep pests out.

   5 min

7. 7

   Cover it

   Use a cover made of breathable material, so moisture doesn't build up under it, rather than a tarp or anything not made as a cover.

   10 min

Where to keep it

Indoors and well ventilated is best, so condensation doesn't settle under the cover. Keep the vehicle away from fertilizers and chemicals, which can cause corrosion, and away from flames, pilot lights, sparks and electric motors, which are a fire hazard. Charge a battery only in a well-ventilated space, since charging gives off flammable hydrogen. Never charge a frozen battery, which can explode.

Bringing it back out

Rodents nest in vehicles, especially ones that aren't used often. Before starting a vehicle that has been sitting, open the hood, doors and trunk and let it air out for 20 minutes. Check inside for nests and droppings, and have a mechanic check the air intakes and filters. Cleaning up after mice and rats covers what to do if you find them. If the battery cable was off, reconnect it, then turn the ignition on without starting the engine, leave it on for at least three minutes, turn it off, and start the engine.