How to Store a Mustang for Winter: A Canadian Mustang Winter Storage Guide

If you own a Mustang in Canada, you already know that winter can be brutal on a car. Snow, salt, moisture and freezing temperatures are exactly what you want to keep away from a Mustang that you plan to enjoy for years to come.

If you're wondering how to store a Mustang for winter, the good news is that it doesn't have to be complicated. A few simple steps before putting your Mustang away can help protect the paint, tires, battery, fuel system and exhaust while the car sits through the winter.

This is the Mustang winter storage routine I personally use, along with a few additional things worth considering if your car is going to sit for several months.

1. Wash and Dry Your Mustang Thoroughly

The first step in preparing a Mustang for winter storage is to give it a thorough wash.

Clean the entire car, including the wheels, wheel wells and underneath the car. You want to remove any dirt, road grime or other contaminants before the car sits for several months.

Once it's washed, dry it thoroughly. Don't put a cover over a wet or damp car and leave it sitting all winter.

This is also a good time to clean the interior and remove any food, garbage or anything else that could attract rodents.

2. Fill the Gas Tank and Add Fuel Stabilizer

Before storing your Mustang, fill the fuel tank with gasoline and add a quality fuel stabilizer according to the manufacturer's instructions.

After adding the stabilizer, run the car for about five minutes to allow the treated fuel to circulate through the fuel system.

A full tank also helps reduce the amount of condensation that can form inside the fuel tank while the Mustang is sitting.

3. Change the Engine Oil and Filter

I recommend changing the oil and filter before putting your Mustang away for the winter.

That way, the car is sitting with fresh oil throughout the winter instead of old oil and contaminants, and when spring arrives, one of your major maintenance jobs is already done.

When the roads are finally clear and the weather warms up, you can get in your Mustang and go.

4. Check Your Fluids

Before putting your Mustang into storage, check the important fluid levels.

Pay particular attention to:

• Engine coolant/antifreeze
• Brake fluid
• Transmission fluid
• Windshield washer fluid
• Engine oil

Make sure your coolant is in good condition and provides adequate freeze protection for Canadian winter temperatures.

5. Prepare the Tires for Winter Storage

Your Mustang's tires can develop flat spots when the car sits in the same position for several months.

I like to add some air to the tires before storage, but never exceed the maximum pressure specified by the tire manufacturer.

I also place all four tires on thick, dense Styrofoam insulation board. This creates a layer between the tires and the cold garage floor and can help reduce the possibility of flat spots developing.

If you're storing your Mustang for an extended period, this is a simple step that's worth doing.

6. Connect a Battery Tender

Don't confuse a battery tender or battery maintainer with a conventional battery charger.

A battery tender is designed to maintain the battery's charge while the vehicle is sitting for an extended period.

Connect the battery tender according to the manufacturer's instructions and leave it connected while your Mustang is stored.

When spring arrives, you'll have a properly maintained battery instead of wondering whether the car is going to start.

7. Don't Start Your Mustang During the Winter

This is an important one.

Don't start your Mustang every couple of weeks just to let it idle.

It might seem like you're doing the car a favor, but short periods of idling can actually create problems.

Moisture can accumulate in the exhaust system. Simply starting the car and letting it idle for ten minutes may not get the entire exhaust system hot enough for that moisture to evaporate.

Over time, moisture can contribute to corrosion inside the exhaust system.

If you're storing your Mustang for the winter, my recommendation is simple:

Start it in the spring when you're ready to drive it—not every few weeks throughout the winter.

8. Cover Your Mustang

Once everything else is done, cover your Mustang with a good-quality, breathable car cover designed for the vehicle.

Don't use a plastic tarp or anything that can trap moisture against the paint.

A proper car cover will help protect the paint from dust and other contaminants while the Mustang sits in storage.

9. Keep Rodents Out

A warm garage can look like a pretty comfortable home to mice and other rodents during a Canadian winter.

Make sure your garage is sealed as well as possible and check around the Mustang for signs of rodent activity.

Some owners also protect openings such as the exhaust or air intake from rodents during long-term storage.

If you block any openings, make absolutely sure you remove whatever you used before starting the Mustang in the spring.

10. Control Moisture in the Garage

If your garage is damp, consider using a moisture absorber or desiccant inside the vehicle.

The goal is to keep the interior as dry as possible while your Mustang sits through the winter.

A dry garage is always preferable to a damp environment when it comes to long-term vehicle storage.

Your Mustang Winter Storage Checklist

Before you close the garage door for the winter, here's the quick checklist:

☐ Wash and thoroughly dry the Mustang
☐ Clean the interior
☐ Fill the fuel tank
☐ Add fuel stabilizer
☐ Run the engine for approximately five minutes
☐ Change the engine oil and filter
☐ Check coolant and other fluids
☐ Adjust tire pressure without exceeding the manufacturer's maximum
☐ Place the tires on thick, dense Styrofoam insulation
☐ Connect a battery tender
☐ Take precautions against rodents
☐ Use a breathable car cover
☐ Don't start the Mustang during the winter unless absolutely necessary

Getting Your Mustang Back on the Road in Spring

When spring finally arrives, don't just uncover the car and take off.

First, remove the battery tender and inspect the battery.

Check underneath the car and around the engine compartment for any signs of leaks, rodents or other problems.

If you blocked the exhaust or air intake for storage, remove those materials before starting the car.

Check the tire pressures and return them to the manufacturer's recommended pressure for normal driving.

Check your fluid levels and inspect the tires and brakes.

Once everything looks good, start the Mustang and allow it to reach normal operating temperature. Take it for a short, careful drive and make sure everything is operating normally.

Then it's time to enjoy another Mustang season.

Store Your Mustang Right and Enjoy It in the Spring

A Canadian winter doesn't mean your Mustang has to suffer through it.

Taking a little time to properly prepare the car before storage can help protect it from the problems that can come with sitting for several months.

Whether you're storing a classic Mustang, a Fox Body, a Coyote GT or a newer S650 the basic principles of Mustang winter storage are the same: clean it, protect it, maintain the battery, take care of the fuel and tires and leave it alone until spring.

At Barone Performance, we're Mustang enthusiasts too. We've been passionate about Mustangs and performance cars for decades, and we know that when you've invested time and money into your Mustang, you want it ready to go when the weather finally cooperates.

Put it away properly. Protect it through the Canadian winter. Then enjoy the first drive of spring.