Outside winter storage, Cover, No Cover?
 

Storing my car in the driveway for the winter as it would be useless for me to get to work and i want to keep the car rust free. A family member said No cover and wax the shit out of it and let it sit there. But I think I should get a cover. What would be better for a short term out door storage? Thinking just 3 months? During the winter. And What kind of cover if so? I don't want to get one that is overkill but also dont want to get a super cheap one, Saw some pricing around 450 but at that price I feel i might as well just put the car in a storage unit for those 3 months for way less.

Sorry if this is the wrong section, I saw a few other winter storage threads but none covered my situation, or solved it.

Also I plan on leaving the battery in it and starting it every few days because if i took it out I would have to reflash the car everytime i wanted to start it up other wise it wouldnt run probably. Anything I should do to prevent rust and corrosion from building up on surfaces?

Thanks for any help or info.

I'd say no cover, and do not start it every few days unless you plan on driving it
just fill the tank and add some stabilizer and leave it
run a battery tender under the hood if you want and you're golden
I left one of my older Hondas outside last year (no more room in garage)
I just sprayed the wheel wells with that jelly rust coat and no cover

You say no cover but have cover in your avatar!!! Lol. My main reason is the car is going to be parked next to the trash cans and i really dont want them to hit my car somehow or my girlfriends dad accidently bump into it with a trash can on trash night..haha. So thats the biggest reason i want a cover but i dont want the cover to hurt the car in the long run.

LOL I was just about to edit my post and say " I do realize I have a cover on mine..."
Mine is also stored in a heated garage lol

Haha oh okay makes sense

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From what I gather A cover outdoors will hold moisture in which is very bad lol
There is a million posts on the subject of winter storing indoor and out
It really depends on how much you want to spend
if you have the funds, just store it, or even ask a buddy if he has room in his garage
I've read so many posts before I stored mine, some get pretty intense
Like I put sheets of plywood under mine where some people say the wood holds moisture and is not good for the underbody, they say just under the tires
some other posts say NEVER start it unless you plan on driving it to warm it up (oil temps do not reach high enough with an idle?)
some say pull the fuel pump fuse and prime the car to take the pressure off the pump, some say wrap your wipers so they don't stick
sorry now I'm rambling lol.... slow day at work ;)

I'm really surprised @humfrz or @Tcoat hasn't chimed in yet
These guys are pretty active and know alot

I dont have any friends with a garage im really considering a damn storage unit..would be so easy but id hate not knowing that the car is near me.

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Geeez we can't be everywhere all the time (even if it appears we are)

This is about the 1,000th post on this subject so I will try to give my opinion in a definitive manner and then maybe we can add it to the FAQ thread.

Storage basics can sometimes be subject to debate and some will agree and disagree to all of these but this is what I have gleened from the threads and personal experience.

Any storage:
Battery - Use a battery tender or remove battery and take inside or at least disconnect it. There is a great deal of parasitic draw from all the electronics on modern cars and if left as is the battery will go flat rather quickly. A flat battery can freeze and even burst. If removing never store a battery on a concrete floor or the ground as this will destroy it.

Starting - If planning to start periodically be sure to let the car run until completely warmed up. The first few minutes of running produces condensate from the air and if you only start the car and run a couple of minutes this will settle back into the system as water. Very bad. Obviously running the car in an enclosed space can be deadly.

Tires - If long term storage is planned (more that 3 months) then tires can develop plat spots. Most of the time these spots can be dealt with by simply driving but they can be permanently damaged if the storage is prolonged. There are special holders that you can park the car on that will prevent or minimize flat spots that are said to work well. The tires can also be protected by placing the car on jack stand. If using jack stands though they should be placed under the suspension to keep it loaded. If placed under the body and the suspension is allowed to droop it can cause problems.

Cleaning - Use a quality sealer and wax. Make sure the car is as clean as possible both inside and out . Be very sure that your missing ham sandwich didn't side under the seat where it will now rot and create a sweet mold colony.

Fuel and Oil - Fill the tank! A part empty tank will collect moisture through temperature fluctuations. A fuel stabilizer will help maintain the gas quality through the storage. Some recommend doing an oil change before storing but there is little value to that. The oil is not breaking down when it sits there. Do a change shortly after removing from storage.

Critters - This can be serious issue for both inside and outside storage. Although there are many "home remedies" put forward for this (use soap, spray dog urine, etc) nothing is as effective as killing them before they can cause damage. A commercial rat/mouse bait will take care of the small ones but if you end up with squirrels, possums or raccoons it is best to call a professional and have them take care of the issue. Keep garbage and food as far away from the car as possible. Otherwise you just create a critter bed and breakfast situation.

Indoor Storage:
Basics - If possible store in a climate controlled place to reduce moisture. Ensure that you have enough open space for the car. If things start to get piled on or against it there is a risk of damage. Leave the windows open a crack to let air circulate through the interior.

Paint - Make sure the car is clean and sealed. If in a regularly used garage a light weight cover will protect from dust and debris. Don't forget your car is in there when you decided to do that big spray paint job you put off all summer.

Outdoor Storage:
There are certain benefits and drawback to both covering or leaving open.
Location - Park the car in as sheltered an area as possible and on a solid surface. If parking for a long term on asphalt (especially in hot areas) place a 2 foot square of plywood under each tire to prevent it from sinking in. Do not park on open ground or anyplace where weeds and grass can grow under your car. This will rust it faster that salt. Check overhead and nearby for trees, limbs loose eve troughs or anything else that can be blown into or fall on the car. This is frequently overlooked and can result id serious damage.

Covered - Do not cut corners on the quality. An improperly fitting cover can flap or move in the wind and do substantial damage to the paint on your car. Ensure it is well secured. Quality covers have a soft felt like material inside and this can greatly increase the paint protection. Good covers also "breath" so they offer protection from the elements but do not trap and hold moisture. Never, ever, ever, for any reason use a tarp or one of the cheap polypropylene covers unless you are a total masochist! Also keep in mind that a cover increases the appeal of you car as a home for critters.

Uncovered - Treat the tires with a UV reducing tire treatment to prevent the sun from breaking them down. This isn't a big issue when driving but a parked car will start to show sun damage fairly quickly. Let the snow and ice be. Don't clear it off no matter how much you want to stare at your car in wistful desire to be driving it. The very act of wiping it off can cause damage and if it is left there it actually does a great job of protecting the paint.

There is a pile of detail that could be added to this but I am sure that others will fill in the gaps for me.
@ichitaka05 can we link this thread to the New Guy FAQ under the question "I want to store my car what should I do?".

Do not cover it. Dirt will get under the cover and when the wind blows it will rub it into your paint and damage it. It is best to leave it uncoverd if you ask me.

i Vote For Cover

i cover mine when it snows.. i find it so much easier to clean off with the cover on the car
i just have a cheap $30 cover from Auto zone, have used it for 2 winters with zero problems


if your going to let the car shit for a long period of time
change the oil before letting it sit..

Although I am also firmly in the leave it open camp I will present the opposing viewpoint (just so people can choose).
A proper fitting cover will not let dirt in and should not shift enough to cause an issue. The biggest concern with leaving it uncovered is bird shit! Bad enough when you can wash it off within a reasonable time but can be a disaster on a stored car where is sits for months.

Very good point, but then again how many birds are shitting on snow covered cars in the winter?

Experiences may vary!
Wasn't it yours with the pic last winter of the cover blown off?