For various reasons sometimes people need to store a car for the winter. It’s important to take certain precautions when storing the car and when spring finally comes and you are ready to start driving the car again. If your car has been sitting idle through the cold winter months and you are ready to take it out of storage, it’s important to make sure that the car is ready to hit the road.

The first thing that you should do is change the oil and check all of the fluids in the vehicle. Oil that has been sitting for a long period of time can become contaminated. Running a vehicle with contaminated oil can do a lot of damage on the car’s engine. It’s not worth the risk.

Check the quality of the tires before driving the car. Check the tire pressure and inflate them as needed. The owner’s manual will tell you what the tire pressure should be if you aren’t sure. The cold air can affect the tire pressure as can the fact that they have been sitting in the same position for numerous months. Tires were developed with the intention of being rotated frequently.

Test the battery and check the lights. A battery that has been sitting for a long period of tie without use can become corroded. Light bulbs may die when the car isn’t in use so they may need to be replaced.

Before taking the car out, be sure to clean it as well. If it’s been sitting in a garage it may have gotten dusty. If it’s been sitting outside it has had to deal with the elements and there is possibility that insects or even animals may have found their way inside. Take some time to clean it up.

The first trip that you take in a car that has been stored should be a short one. Stick close to home in case anything happens. Keep the radio off and listen to how the car is running. If you hear any funny noises or the car doesn’t seem to be running the way that it should, it’s worth taking it to a mechanic to get it checked out.