Protecting Your Vehicle During Harsh Northern Winters
While winter is a beautiful season with serene and incredible scenery, harsh weather conditions can challenge vehicle owners, especially in the northern United States. Snow and ice can damage RVs, campers, cars, and boats, and you’ll need to find ways to shield your ride.
With the help of Five Star Storage, you can use several practical tips to shield your vehicle from upcoming blizzards. We’ve gathered nine vehicle storage tips and ways to protect your vehicle during winter weather this year.
1. Check Your Vehicle’s Battery
While snow and ice can’t directly damage your vehicle’s battery, the freezing temperatures can significantly deplete its charge. Combine that with your vehicle needing an extra surge to power up, and the risk of battery failure skyrockets in the winter. It’s essential to keep your vehicle battery charged. To help preserve your battery, turn off any lights and unplug chargers when your vehicle is not in use.
2. Change Your Oil
We recommend an oil change if you plan to get your vehicle checked before winter takes full effect. A proper oil change will help the oil flow through the engine in cold weather and keep your ride running. Make sure you’re using the right oil for your car. Refer to your owner’s manual to learn what oil type is best for your vehicle.
3. Use Winter Tires
Northern states like Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota see their fair share of snowy weather, which means winter tires come in handy. These unique tires help you to stop more quickly and create an advantage when driving on snow- or ice-covered surfaces.
To keep your tires in the best condition possible, check your tire pressure regularly and inspect for wear and tear. If there is an issue with low tire pressure or leaks, take care of it immediately.
4. Keep Your Windshield Clean
Snow and ice quickly pile up on your windshield during storms, creating visibility problems when you need to hit the road. Clearing off your windshield adds a few minutes to your commute, but being able to completely see the road protects you, your car and passengers, and other drivers on the road. A few tips for scraping ice and snow off your windshield include:
- Use a snow brush to remove loose snow on your windshield, car roof, and hood.
- Use an ice scraper to get any ice stuck on your windshield off.
- Turn on your car’s defroster to speed up the thawing process.
- Once your windshield starts to clear, check for any smudges and smears that could impair your vision while driving.
5. Check Your Windshield Wipers
Another way you can best keep your windshield clean is by routinely checking the quality and performance of your wipers. Poor-fitting or worn-out wipers will only hurt your visibility even when you’ve cleared most of the snow and ice. Damaged or old wipers often leave smears or smudges as they wipe, leaving you with a dirty, unsafe windshield. Change your windshield wiper blades whenever you notice streaks, or they make chattering or skipping sounds across the glass.
6. Protect Your Car’s Exterior
As you drive during the winter, your car’s exterior collects road salt and chemicals. If you don’t routinely wash your car, the salt and chemicals will scratch the paint, potentially leading to rusting down the road. To protect your car’s exterior, wash it every week to two weeks. Use wax or sealant to provide a protective coating that shields your vehicle even when parked outdoors.
7. Fill Your Fuel Tank Regularly
If you tend to let your gas get low, winter is an important time to break that habit. Regularly refilling on fuel during the winter prevents rust-inducing moisture from building in your tank. A full tank also protects your vehicle’s fuel line from freezing, which can cause your car to stop running.
8. Keep a Winter Emergency Kit in Your Car
Although it’s not pleasant to think about, you’ll need to prepare for any emergencies where you get stuck in the harsh northern weather. To best prepare for these situations, build a winter emergency kit that contains the following supplies:
- Jumper cables
- Cell phone charger
- First aid kit
- Ice scraper and snow brush
- Flashlight
- Blankets
- Nonperishable snacks
- Boots, gloves, and scarves
9. Use Winter Car Storage
Vehicles come in countless sizes, but many require a lot of storage space you may not have in your garage. That’s why finding the right winter car and vehicle storage solution is paramount to your peace of mind. Even if you have space in your driveway, your vehicle will remain exposed to ice, snow, and freezing temperatures. We recommend finding a covered or indoor spot to store your vehicle.
Self Storage for Vehicle Protection
One of the best ways to keep your vehicle secure this winter is to rent RV, boat, and vehicle storage at your local Five Star Self Storage facility. The best self storage options help keep your vehicles in a centralized location, decluttering your garage without putting your ride at risk of winter weather-related damage.
Consider renting covered parking or indoor storage to help block out issues with the winter weather.
Discover Winter Vehicle Storage From Five Star Storage
Head to Five Star Storage for premier vehicle storage this winter and beyond. Several of our locations throughout the northern United States contain several vehicle storage options for you to choose from. Whether you need to dock your boat someplace dry or need RV storage, we’ve got your back. Contact us online to learn more about our winter vehicle storage solutions today!