In Automotive School? 4 Tips for Preparing Cars for Winter Storage
As the weather gets colder, many drivers are getting ready to store their beloved summer cars away from the harsh winter elements. If you’re in automotive school or are considering a career in the industry you’ll need to keep several factors in mind when repairing vehicles during the winter and storing them for the season.
Cold weather cracks paint and makes the metal more rigid, which also makes it more susceptible to breaking. Those are just a few concerns that automotive professionals need to keep in mind when working in the winter. Here’s a guide to preparing cars for winter storage throughout your career in the auto industry.
1. Make Proper Cleaning a Habit After Automotive School
As a future auto mechanic or auto body technician, cleaning should be a regular part of your work routine. Proper cleaning not only improves the aesthetics of your client’s vehicles but also protects cars from long-term damage and keeps pests at bay. When dirt is left on a car for extended periods of time (over an entire winter) it can break down the paint coat which not only makes a vehicle look nice and fresh but also protects the metal and functional components beneath it.
2. Top Up on Fluids
When preparing vehicles for winter storage after automotive school, you’ll always want to ensure that there’s no empty space in a car’s fluid tanks. If not, condensation occurs which can lead to corrosion and other permanent damage. Before storing vehicles, top up on fuel, antifreeze, windshield washer fluid, and brake fluid. If you’ll be storing vehicles in an unheated area, be sure to purchase antifreeze and windshield washer fluids that are specifically meant for winter use.
3. Store Vehicles in the Right Environment
Preparing vehicles for winter storage is one thing. As a professional in any of the auto careers, you’ll also want to ensure that you have the facilities to store them in the right environment when needed.
What does the perfect winter storage area for a vehicle look like? Concrete and asphalt are the best surfaces to park a vehicle on for long periods of time since they are level. Gravel and bare earth surfaces can create dirt and other contaminants that can damage a vehicle’s body. In addition, jagged surfaces can damage tires when they’re parked for extended periods of time.
4. Use a Fuel Stabilizer
When left to sit for long periods of time in a container that isn’t airtight, chemical reactions occur that make fuel spoil quickly. When gas is exposed to oxygen and is left for extended periods of time, corrosion occurs which damages the engine. Gas can start spoiling in just 30 days which means that cars being stored for the winter are vulnerable to engine damage if the right precautions aren’t taken. That’s where the fuel stabilizer comes in. It’s designed to prevent oxidation and evaporation, increasing the fuel’s lifespan by one to three years. These tips, coupled with proper automotive technician training, will help you to protect your clients’ valuable property.
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