Spring means many things—flowers blooming, grass growing, and cars coming out of winter slumber. Below, we’ll show drivers how to take their car out of winter storage so it runs just as well as when it first went into hibernation.

Check Tires & PSI

One of the first and easiest things to check after your car has been in storage for so long is the tires. If the vehicle has been sitting idle all winter, the tires will almost definitely be deflated or worse—cracked or warped.

It should be apparent immediately if the tires need air or are warped, so take a quick look and feel the tire for any bulges. If the tires are severely warped, you must replace them before driving.

Inspect Battery

Another important part of taking your car out of winter storage is checking the battery. If you didn’t do anything with the battery and it’s been sitting dead for so long, you’ll need to recharge or likely replace it.

If you hooked the battery up to a battery tender or trickle charger in storage, check to ensure it’s charged and at a healthy capacity. If the battery got overcharged, there’ll likely be signs of corrosion and off-gassing around the battery and terminals. It’s wise to bring an electric tester to confirm the battery’s charge before driving the first time.

Examine the Engine Compartment

Next, it’s time to look underneath the hood. There are many things to inspect when taking a car out of long-term storage, but the primary concerns are the fluids (oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, etc.), belts, and hoses.

Check that all the fluids are viable and that the hoses and belts all seem intact and capable. Rats and vermin love to take up residence in idle cars over the winter, so check every nook and cranny.

Pro Tip:

During your post-storage inspection, check underneath for any signs of fluids leaking below.

Let It Idle Before Driving

If everything seems capable and in order, you can turn it over for the first time (preferably outside to avoid the exhaust fumes). Double-check that the tailpipe is clear, turn the engine over for the first time and let it idle.

As the engine runs idle, look for any signs of smoke or leaking. Listen to the engine as well, as a rough idle could mean bigger problems with the car as you take it out of storage. If it sounds good, take it for a ride, driving conservatively and getting its oil changed if needed.

Keep these things in mind as you remove your vehicle from its winter hibernation, and it should emerge in spring just as capable as when you put it away!

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