Westworld Alberta
Issue link: http://westworldmagazine.ama.ab.ca/i/402160
60 W E S T W O R L D A L B E R T A | W I N T E R 2 0 1 4 HOW TO STORE A CAR OVER WINTER We're well past the season for cruising in a pink and chrome Chevrolet Bel Air with the windows down and the radio blasting. But it's not too late to make sure your summer-only vehicle is tucked away safe and sound for the winter. Wayne Paulsen, owner of Edmonton's Kingsgate Automotive, offers a few tips. Cover it up. A tarp or blanket will help protect the vehicle's exterior from the elements. It's OK to store outside, but inside is always preferable. Top up the fuel. By doing so, you'll prevent moisture – a contaminant – from forming in the tank. Also add a fuel stabilizer, which can be purchased at an automotive shop. Change the oil. This avoids having the contaminants present in used oil sitting all winter. Check the tire pressure. A stored vehicle's tires may lose air pressure over time. Check your tire pressure before you head out on the road again next summer. Double-check the antifreeze. Ensure it's the correct strength, something often overlooked in summer vehicles. Paulsen recommends a product optimized for 35-45 degrees below zero. Remove the battery. There's a good chance your battery will freeze and be useless come spring. The next best thing is to attach a battery tender to maintain the charge. Don't start it. Paulsen says starting a stored vehicle in winter can do more harm than good, as moisture forms readily in the winter, and it takes time and heat to burn it off. W ISTOCK Earn 5% in reward dollars (up to $50 reward dollars) at AMA Total Repair Care partners across the province. AMARewards.ca/ AutoSave