CAA Manitoba Winter 2016 | Page 23

Charge it !
keep your summer ride charged up with a battery tender . Buy online at shop . caamanitoba . com auto IQ
your owner ’ s manual if you ’ re not sure , or visit one of CAA ’ s Approved Auto Repair Services ( AARS ) shops for some expert advice .
Don ’ t set the parking brake ! If there ’ s moisture and inactivity over time , the pads can become stuck to the rotor .
Rodent-proof Stuff steel wool in the exhaust pipes and dryer sheets under the hood and the interior of the vehicle . “ Mice won ’ t go near steel wool or dryer sheets ,” Messner explains . Some drivers place mothballs around their vehicles too .
Thomas Barwick / geTTy images

Cold Storage how to store summer road toys for winter

AS cooler Air SettleS in , it becomes time to stow summer road toys like convertibles , motorcycles , bicycles and RVs . Follow these simple tips to make sure they ’ ll be in tip-top shape when spring returns .
Keep it clean “ You want to store it sparkling clean , inside and out ,” says Dan Messner , CAA Manitoba ’ s manager for automotive technical services .
“ Storing a dirty vehicle is an invitation for rust and corrosion to start setting in . Don ’ t wait for spring : Do it now and you ’ ll be glad you did ! I not only wash , but wax too .”
Bicycles are no exception . “ Wiping them down is a good idea , but pressure washing is not as it can damage the paint ,” explains Kevin Hope , an avid cyclist and CAA Manitoba ’ s training lead for automotive services .
Change the oil and filter “ Oil breaks down with time ,” Messner says . “ Your cylinder walls , valve train and everything will be soaked with old oil , so get it out of there .”
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Inflate the tires Pump them up to their recommended pressure and , if possible , raise them off the ground . This prevents flat spots from forming on the rubber . If the wheels are left parked on a concrete floor , a strip of carpet or a plank of wood under each tire can protect the rubber from drying out .
Fill ’ er up Top up the gas tank and add a bottle of stabilizer . “ A full tank prevents condensation from building up in the tank ,” Messner says . “ Water and fuel don ’ t get along very well .”
Tend the battery Remove the battery and store it in a cool place , or leave it in the vehicle with a maintenance charge . “ Don ’ t use a trickle charger , which is always charging ,” Messner says . “ Instead , use a battery tender or maintainer — it only charges when the battery runs low .”
That being said , some manufacturers of new cars recommend leaving the battery in the vehicle to keep incar computer systems running . Check
Let it breathe Leave the windows open — just a crack for ventilation . And close the roof if it ’ s a convertible . If you cover the vehicle , use a breathable cover , not a scratchy tarpaulin .
Seal and smooth Lubricate door hinges with grease ; spray rubber seals and hoses with silicone .
Storing an RV ? Drain all water tanks , blow out the water lines and add RV anti-freeze , but bypass the hot- and fresh-water tanks . “ Otherwise , you ’ ll end up with a bit of taste in the water , and you don ’ t want that ,” says Ryan Main , general manager of the Pik-A-Dilly RV Centre in Brandon , an AARS facility .
Adjust insurance coverage Save a buck . Liability and collision insurance aren ’ t needed if the vehicle is stored .
Keep a tally Make a checklist of everything you ’ ve done and leave it with the vehicle . You don ’ t want to drive away in the spring with steel wool still in the muffler .
That ’ ll do it ! If you ’ re still not sure , Messner suggests visiting any AARS facility : some will help store your vehicle and advice is always free .
Find a AARS shop near you : caamanitoba . com / aars
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