Tips for storing my car for the winter – Part 2

SUV Winter - Auto repair service in Bedford PA

winter driving- auto repair service in Bedford, PAIn continuing our tips for storing your car for winter in Bedford, PA you should have read the previous part one giving you some great ideas on getting your car clean as to not come back to critters and foul smells when winter is over. In this article were going to look at some additional tips that will help keep your car ready to go one springtime comes.

With Town Hill Auto Service being the leading choice for the Bedford, PA area with ASE trained, master certified technicians; we know a few things when it comes to properly storing your car during the winter months. Let’s look at a few useful tips:

The Fuel Frustration

Gasoline that you get in Bedford, PA for your car today contains ethanol. This fuel substitute is a colorless flammable liquid which is produced by natural fermentation natural elements such as sugars and corn. However eco-friendly this may be it plays havoc on fuel systems and components. Especially for vehicles that don’t get driven often or sit for the winter, the chemical breakdown of ethanol creates a green chalky substance that can clog injectors, filters and more creating problems for your car.

When storing your vehicle in Bedford PA we recommend to use a Napa’s 360 performance stabilizer.  (https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/NCB22264) this will help prevent corrosion and rust. It will also help clean the fuel system, so it’s a good idea to run a bottle through about every 10,000 miles or six months, whichever comes first.

Town Hill Auto Repair Service is your Complete, Napa Certified, Service Center
in the Bedford, PA area. Call Today 814-310-2221

car battery- auto repair service in Bedford, PARemove the Battery

Car batteries in Bedford PA are made from lead and acid that creates a mild charge and stores energy. When not being used a battery will discharge and the lead plates will begin to chemically break down. This means that a battery can actually destroy itself if not regularly charged. Additionally as the battery discharges it releases acidic vapor that will react to the metals in your car. This causes a corrosive film to cover the terminals and aluminum inside your engine bay.

Town Hill auto repair service in Bedford PA, recommends to remove the battery and place it on a power tender or maintenance charger that will keep a low current charge; this helps the battery keep or maintain its integrity. This specific device will keep the battery from becoming overcharged and will keep the battery charge available come spring when you need it. Napa sells a nice battery maintenance charger (https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/SOR4502)

Valvoline oil change- auto repair service in Bedford, PAMake sure that your fluids are fresh

Depending on how long you’re going to be storing the car, Town Hill auto repair service in Bedford PA, recommends to make sure that you have performed an oil change and coolant service (at minimum). These fluids have a tendency to break down over time and congeal causing sludge in your cooling and engine systems. Having a fresh oil change will also help when restarting the car come spring; the fresh oil will help coat engine parts. Fresh coolant also contains anticorrosion and rust inhibitors that will help your cooling system components stay clean and ready for the spring.

Note: Be sure to run your vehicle up to complete operating temperature with your fresh fluids opening your heater to allow the fresh coolant into your heater core.

Trust the Local Experts!

Town Hill Auto Repair Service in Bedford, PA. is your main source for vehicle maintenance and repairs for your vehicle. Our ASE Master certified, dealer trained technicians can help you keep your vehicle ready for the road year around. Because we are a Napa certified repair facility, you can have peace of mind knowing that the repairs performed by Town Hill Auto Repair Service in Bedford, PA. are backed with quality Napa parts and our nationwide warranty. Be sure to check with our automotive experts on best tips and practices to keep your car in Bedford, PA. running its best.

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Tips for storing my car for the winter – Part 1

auto repair service in Bedford, PA

This time of year some residents in the Bedford PA area might choose to store their luxury or performance car in lieu of the milder spring and summer temperatures. If you should choose to store your car for the winter there are some steps that you may want to take to ensure that your car will last mechanically, as well as, look great for many years to come.

With Town Hill Auto Service being the leading choice for the Bedford PA area with ASE trained, master certified technicians; we know a few things when it comes to properly storing your car during the winter months. Let’s look at a few useful tips:

A Clean Car is a Happy Car

Town Hill auto repair service in Bedford, PAExterior:

For those who might choose to store your car during the winter months in Bedford PA you will first want to make sure that your car is thoroughly clean inside and out. The last thing you want to do is store a car that is dirty, giving opportunity for contaminants to slowly damage your vehicle. Give your car a good hand wash, closely looking for any foreign debris that may cause damage to your finish such as tree sap, dead bugs or chemical exposure (ie. Brake fluid).

After the paint and chrome is clean, apply a good coat of wax. If the car will be in a moist area for a few months be sure to consider treating unprotected metal surfaces such as the undercarriage.

Many enthusiast in the Bedford PA area choose to use WD-40 has a light coating on brake rotors, calipers, brake hoses, exhaust and so forth; just to keep in mind of this treatment when you go to drive it for the first time after its long winters rest.

Interior:

Discard any food wrappers, soda cans and any other garbage that may have accumulated inside your car in the Bedford PA area. Look for French fries between the seats, candy in the carpet and other items that may attract unwanted pests and insects during its long winters rest. If you are going to have your carpets steam cleaned be sure to steam clean them early enough so that they can be thoroughly dried before putting your car into storage. Otherwise the leftover moisture can build up and form mold on the interior components, possibly even damaging the electronics of the vehicle over a period of time.

Town Hill Auto Repair Service is your Complete, Napa Certified, Service Center
in the Bedford PA area. Call Today 814-310-2221

Additional Considerations

Mouse in Car - auto repair service in Bedford, PAUnwanted critters like mice can play havoc on a stored vehicle. They do not see your car as the prized possession that it is, but rather an enjoyable place to set up residence. When they get a little hungry they go looking for a snack, chewing through wires and ripping into seats. It’s a good idea to put some mothballs or other pest deterrents in your engine bay and interior (and trunk) to help keep these little critters away.

You should also consider putting a sock into the exhaust to keep them from getting up inside and building a nest. Just make sure to take them out before you go for a ride in the spring.

Car covers are a great idea, just make sure they’re clean. Nothing’s worse than putting a dirty car cover on a clean car; it’s literally like applying sandpaper. If your car is stored outside you may choose to take additional steps such as: treating the tires, place in the car on jack stands, covering the tires with plastic wheel covers, etc.. For garage storage you could do the same, but it’s not as necessary.

Be sure to check the additional tips on storing your car for winter.

When Local Experience Matters

Town Hill Auto Repair Service in Bedford PA. is your main source for vehicle maintenance and repairs for your vehicle. Our ASE Master certified, dealer trained technicians can help you keep your vehicle ready for the road year around. Because we are a Napa certified repair facility, you can have peace of mind knowing that the repairs performed by Town Hill Auto Repair Service in Bedford PA. are backed with quality Napa parts and our nationwide warranty. Be sure to check with our automotive experts on best tips and practices to keep your car in Bedford PA. running its best.

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Learn more about our services – click here

Learn more about our team – click here

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