Winter car storage

6 minute read Published on Jun 27, 2026 by BrokerLink Communications

An open garage view to a snowy weather outside

Winter weather in Canada can be brutal on your vehicle, especially if you own a vintage or luxury sports car. Without proper winter car storage, your vehicle can be at risk of corrosion, rodent damage, battery failures, stale fuel and flat spots on your tires. That’s why preparing your car the right way is a non-negotiable for protecting your investment and ensuring your vehicle needs minimal maintenance before you hit the road in the spring.

This guide goes over winter car storage tips, insurance recommendations, spring checklists and answers common questions you may have about storing your car properly. Key takeaways:

Batteries: Use a battery maintainer or disconnect it completely. Skip weekly start-ups.
Fuel: Fill your gas tank and add a fuel stabilizer. Run your vehicle once before storing it away.
Tires: Inflate your tire sidewalls to the max. Chock your wheels. Avoid activating your parking brake.
Storage environment: Cover your vehicle using a breathable cover in a storage unit with a 40-60% humidity level.

Pre-winter car storage checklist

To keep your vehicle in pristine condition during the wintertime, a little preparation goes a long way. Here’s an easy-to-follow checklist you can reference during the process:

Clean and protect: Wash your vehicle thoroughly to remove dirt and salt from the roads. Apply a wax to the exterior (optional but recommended for classic cars). Apply a lubricant to the door seals to protect them from cracking.
Car’s interior: Vacuum your carpets and seats. Remove all food wrappers to prevent rodent infestation. Place desiccant packs inside to absorb excess moisture buildup and prevent mould/mildew.
Fuel: Fill your gas tank fully. Add a fuel stabilizer, then run your engine for at least 10 minutes to ensure it circulates. This will prevent the fuel from going stale, which will otherwise degrade in three to six months if left unstabilized.
Fluids: Change your engine oil and filter to remove any contaminants. Top up your windshield washer with -40°C temperature fluid and keep a backup bottle in your winter car storage unit.
Battery: Connect a battery maintainer to your vehicle or remove the battery entirely.
Tires: Tire pressure drops approximately 1 psi per 5 °C temperature drop, plus approximately 2 psi/month because of permeability. Inflate your tires to the maximum sidewall. Use flat-stoppers or tire cradles to prevent flat spots.
Brakes: Leave your parking brake off to prevent rusting. Chock your wheels instead to prevent rolling. Your vehicle should be left in park (automatic cars) or first gear (manual).
Deter rodents: Seal your exhaust pipe and intake openings. Use peppermint oil to deter rodents and pet-safe traps.
Moisture control: Use a breathable fitted cover over your vehicle. Maintain relative humidity levels between 40 and 60%.
Documentation: Record your mileage, take photos and activate security features in your winter storage unit, either on your property or at a separate vehicle storage unit.

Proper winter car storage: Good/better/best vehicle storage solutions

Not all vehicle storage needs or accessibility is the same. Luckily, when it comes to winter car storage, you have some options available:

Good winter car storage: Store your vehicle in a private garage on your property with a fitted cover, desiccant packs and a battery maintainer.
Better: Temperature-controlled garage (between 10 and 20 °C, with sealed flooring and relative humidity levels between 40 and 60%).
Best: Use a professional storage facility with a climate controlled environment, trickle charger/maintainer circuits, security and pest control.

On the other hand, here's what not to do:

Avoid

Take a look:

Unsealed concrete that lacks a vapour barrier.
Plastic tarps that trap moisture.
No 24/7 security.
Gravel flooring or storing your vehicle directly on the earth.

Tires, wheels and suspension

When temperatures drop in the winter, the air in your tires decreases due to the cold. Tires can deflate and develop flat spots if not used for a long time. To prevent damage:

Inflate your tires to their maximum PSI rating before storing your car for winter.
Lift your car or truck on jack stands or blocks.
Use OEM jack points, quality stands and wheel chocks.
Consider putting wood planks under the jack stands to prevent dents in your garage or storage area floor.

You should NOT do the following:

Avoid

Make sure you prevent:

Under-inflated tires.
Engaging your parking brake.
Unsupported jack stands on soft surfaces.
Running your drivetrain while your vehicle is suspended.

Battery and electrical

Batteries can freeze and crack due to cold temperatures. To avoid this:

Smart maintainer: Attach a smart maintainer to keep your battery healthy throughout the wintertime.
Indoor car storage: Remove your battery completely during winter storage months, keeping it in a safe place between 10 and 20 °C.
EV/hybrid vehicles: Store your vehicle at a storage facility to protect the vehicle’s battery. Leave it in a state of charge if your owner’s manual states so.

Vehicle fluids, engine and fuel system

Fluids are important for your car’s proper operation and winter can be tough on vehicles, even in storage. Check and top off the following fluids to prevent issues like freezing and cracking during winter car storage:

Engine oil change: This should be done every three months or 8,000 kilometres, but it’s especially important to have one done right before you store your car. Used oil contains contaminants that can harm your engine if it sits for more than a month.
Coolant: Check the freeze point of the coolant in your vehicle. Inspect hoses and clamps beforehand for any leaks.
Brake fluid: Note when your last brake fluid flush was done.
Fuel: Fill your tank fully to avoid damage caused by moisture buildup. Add a stabilizer and run the engine for 10 minutes before storing.
Air intake and exhaust: Block openings with foam or steel wool. Make sure to remove these in the spring.

Now let's take a look at what to avoid:

Avoid

Keep the following in mind:

Short idling can cause moisture buildup and dilute your engine oil.
If you need to run your vehicle, drive for at least 20 to 30 minutes.

Body, paint and interior protection

Every part of your car should be looked after. You can do this by:

Exterior: Wash your car thoroughly to remove all the dirt, dust and debris. Spray it with soapy foam, let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse it well to remove dirt. Use the two-bucket method: one bucket with soapy water and another for rinsing your sponge or mitt. Wash one section at a time, rinsing your mitt before moving to the next section to avoid scratches.
Glass and lights: Clean the interior glass and your lights to reduce glare and maximize illumination.
Interior: Condition your leather seats, vacuum debris and place desiccant packs inside to absorb excess moisture.
Cover: Safely store your car under a fitted, breathable cover. Do not use a plastic tarp.

Rodents and moisture control

Small animals and humidity can pose a threat to your vehicle during winter storage. Here's how you can prevent both:

Rodents: Remove food, vacuum thoroughly and use peppermint oil as a safe pet deterrent. Cover all entry points (cabin filter, cowl drains and exhaust).
Moisture: Maintain relative humidity levels between 40 and 60%.
Monthly check: Look for animal droppings, chewed covers, seed husks or musty smells.

Monthly winter car storage walk-by

Monthly, you should aim to do the following:

Inspect your vehicle for leaks and nests.
Check the cover to ensure it’s snug.
Measure humidity levels inside your storage unit or garage.
Measure the tire pressure in the morning. Roll your wheels 1/4 turn to prevent flat spots.
Confirm that your battery maintainer is on.

Spring re-commissioning checklist

Once springtime rolls around, you should:

Remove exhaust blocks and rodent deterrents.
Reinstall and charge your battery.
Check the oil and other fluid levels.
Adjust your tire pressure.
Do a quick check of your brakes, belts, hoses and boots.

When you first start your vehicle in the spring, let it idle for about a minute, then aim to drive it for 20 to 30 minutes to ensure the engine fully warms up. While driving, test your steering wheel and brakes to ensure they are working correctly. Once you’ve returned home, check for any leaks, unusual noises or warning lights.