The Midwestern region of the United States is one of the most diversely beautiful regions in the entire country. Nowhere else can you experience hot summer, warm spring, cool fall and freezing winter temperatures all in one state except in the Midwestern region. Midwestern states include areas along the Great Lakes such as Michigan, Illinois, Ohio and Wisconsin. These states are known for their proximity to the water, making them great tourist attractions during the summer months for water sports such as skiing, fishing, diving and simple sunning on some natural and manmade beaches.

Protecting your outdoor vehicles in these states during the winter requires some effort on your part. It’s not as simple as just throwing a cloth over your vehicle and hoping it will do. This is particularly true if you have a vehicle that is going to be directly exposed to snow, rain, freezing rain, ice and other hazards.

In most Midwestern states, when the winter first starts, temperatures are still mild and relatively predictable. Some days you may wake up to find a light dusting of snow or small frozen rain drops on your outdoor vehicle. This time of year is not of any significant consequence because typically what happens is that by midday the temperature has risen above the freezing point; direct sunlight is shining down on your vehicle and has melted the snow or ice and although it may still be very cold, your vehicle has probably been used and has warmed up so that no harm is done.

Once winter gets going good, around December for most states, there is snow on the ground on a consistent basis. Major roads and highways are cleared by snow removal trucks which also salt the roads making them nicely passable for traveling. But this is the time of winter that protection for your outdoor vehicles is significantly important. One of the major sources of damage to your vehicle is the very salt they put down on the roads to clear them so that you can drive.

Salt tends to adhere to the painted surfaces around the lower parts of your car, truck or SUV and, if left untreated, can eat away and erode not only the paint but the very metal of the vehicle itself, leaving damaging holes that can be expensive to repair. The best way to avoid salt damage to your vehicle is to remove it with a slightly damp cloth as soon as you notice it. Obviously this should be done only if your owner’s manual does not suggest a different way to remove items from your surfaces.

Outdoor vehicles differ greatly from those that benefit from indoor or garage storage. For starters, outdoor vehicles are exposed to the weather’s elements no matter what they may be. This is okay for vehicles that are designed to stand up to such changing conditions but to date, there are not many such vehicles which do. Meaning, if you expect your outdoor vehicle to last, you will have to invest in protecting your outdoor vehicle during harsh Midwestern winter conditions.

One of the most unpredictable and damaging weather conditions during the winter in the Midwestern states is the arrival of freezing rain or an ice storm. The more damaging of the two is an ice storm. Freezing rain can be for a few minutes or longer and usually is serious because it creates a thin layer of ice on surface streets and highways and can cause you to lose control of your vehicle. With freezing rain you can sometimes just wait for the sun to come out and because the layer of ice is a small one, the direct sun will melt it, leaving the street and other surfaces just wet.

An ice storm, on the other hand, leaves calling cards everywhere that it touches. Ice storms often happen overnight while you are sleeping and are relatively silent as they are occurring. Ice storms are very dangerous because the put a heavy layer of ice over everything from tree branches to your outdoor vehicle and more. Because the weight of this ice is much heavier, usually there are many reported instances where trees and power lines are too heavy and fall down.

This makes it important to store your outdoor vehicle in a safely covered place such as covered shed so that it will not sustain any major damage and be at least slightly protected from such elements.

As the winter begins to set in it along with a fall in temperature many car owners in cold countries tend to store away their cars for the winter. It is very important to see that the cars are stored away carefully as even a small mistake can cause tremendous damage to the cars. There are a number of points on which car owners should pay attention before putting away their cars for winter car storage.

Just before putting away your car for winter car storage, you should make sure that the oil in the car has been changed. Oil tends to become acidic with time so if any amount of oil is left in the engine of the car it may get damaged. Another reason for which the oil needs to be removed is due to the absorption of moisture that is done by oil. If the car is stored away along with oil in the engine the moisture in the oil will soon evaporate and cause corrosion in the engine. Due to this reasons it is suggested that before putting away a car for winter car storage, the old oil in the car should be changed with new oil and after starting the engine for a few minutes the car can be safely put for storage.

The spark plugs in the car should be loosened and a little bit of oil should be dropped into the spark plug holes. Doing this before winter car storage prevents the corrosion of the rings and they do not get stuck on the cylinder walls during the winter. Failure to remember this could lead to expensive spark plug replacements in the spring. Often when you least expect and cannot afford them.

The pressure of the tires should be increased to prevent the tires from becoming flat and also developing leaks. The tires can also be filled with nitrogen which would help in the prevention of dry rot. Only attempt to fill tires with nitrogen if you have experience with this and are serious about saving your tires. Consider getting a professional to come by and help you with this if the option is available. Also, the car can be raised up to get the tires off of the ground.

Desiccants should be put on the front and back floors of the car preventing the growth of mildews and keeping the leather in the car safe from moisture. A car cover should be put on the car for added protection from moisture. Mildew and mold can lead to sickness when the car is used later and the owner has not noticed the mold. Mildew and mold can be extremely hard on individuals, especially the elderly and children, suffering from asthma.

During winter car storage the car should be washed regularly to prevent tree sap and pollution from affecting the paint in the car. Remember, this only applies to individuals that are keeping their vehicles outdoors and uncovered. Covered vehicles and vehicles indoors are usually safe but an occasional wash won’t hurt them.

The car battery should be removed and put in the interiors where there should be enough ventilation to see that hydrogen does not build up in the battery. Never place the battery near any sleeping areas. If someone is sleeping near the battery for any reason simply remember the battery to a new location.

While keeping the cars for winter car storage it should be seen that the car is put on a vinyl sheet to prevent the moisture that gets collected on the floor of the garage from causing any corrosion on the underside of the car. Good vinyl or even heavy duty tarp can often be found at a local hardware store or online.

The gas tank should be fully filled up with good quality oil, and it should be ensured that there is no blank space in the tank where moisture can get in and cause corrosion. If you have forgotten to fill the gas tank you can always run to the local gas station with a canister, fill it, and fill your gas tank at home.

Care should also be taken to see that the anti-freeze fluid used in the car is suitable for the temperature conditions in the area. Read your car ownership manual for advice and discuss your issues with your local auto mechanic.

Following all the above mentioned tips would help in getting good winter car storage for your car. Even if you keep your car in storage for a long duration during the winter months, you can stay assured of the car performance. If you are not able to properly winterize your car for storage contact a local mobile mechanic. There are many mechanics that now offer door to door services that include all of the things you need to take care of when winterizing your vehicle.

Amazon.com

Store two snowboards or two sets of skis/poles and one pair of boots quickly and easily with this winter sports rack from Rubbermaid. The unit attaches in a snap to existing Rubbermaid FastTrack rails (sold separately). This wall-mounted storage unit helps air out and dry equipment to protect from rust and mold. Made of premium materials for sturdy, heavy duty construction, the rack is built to last. Perfect for wintertime sports such as skiing and snowboarding, the u (more…)