---
title: "Storing a Car Outside in Winter: Risks and How to Reduce Them"
description: "Leaving a car outdoors for a Canadian winter? The main risks are battery, rodents, snow load, road salt and local bylaws. Here is how to reduce each one."
url: https://car-storage.ca/guides/storing-a-car-outside-in-winter/
last_updated: 2026-10-24
---

# Storing a car outside in winter

It can be done, and it costs less. CAA North & East Ontario suggests asphalt and a cover if the car has to stay outdoors. The risks below are the ones to plan for.

## The risks and the fix

- A flat battery: Cold drains a battery that sits. Use a battery tender (CAA), or disconnect it and charge it once or twice over the winter (CAA-Québec). A tender needs a power outlet, so ask any facility whether outdoor spots have one.
- Rodents: CAA and Canadian Tire suggest blocking the exhaust and air intakes and using repellents. Remove every plug in spring.
- Snow and ice: Lift the wipers off the glass and use a fitted cover (CAA). Brush heavy snow off the cover, not the paint.
- Road salt: Wash the car, underneath too, before it goes out. Salt on a car left for months does damage over time.
- Bylaws: Street parking has overnight bans, snow bans and time limits. Some cities also bar inoperative vehicles from yards. See [rules by city](https://car-storage.ca/guides/can-i-leave-my-car-on-the-street-in-winter/).

## Pick the spot

Asphalt beats grass or gravel. Avoid trees that drop sap or branches. Choose a spot where plows will not push snow against the car.

An outdoor space in a storage lot starts from $65/month. See [outdoor car storage](https://car-storage.ca/storage/outdoor-car-storage/).

## When to move up

If the car is worth a lot, rare, or has delicate trim, or if you cannot visit it, covered or indoor storage is the safer choice. Compare [covered](https://car-storage.ca/storage/covered-car-storage/) and [indoor](https://car-storage.ca/storage/indoor-car-storage/).

## Questions

**Should I run the engine now and then?**

Canadian Tire mentions driving the car about once a week. Starting it only to idle for a few minutes is not the same, and we have no source that says it helps.

**Plastic tarp or a cover?**

A breathable, fitted cover. Plastic sheeting traps moisture.

## Related

- [How to store a car for winter in Canada](https://car-storage.ca/guides/how-to-store-a-car-for-winter/)
- [Indoor vs outdoor car storage](https://car-storage.ca/guides/indoor-vs-outdoor-car-storage/)
- [Outdoor car storage](https://car-storage.ca/storage/outdoor-car-storage/)

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Find a spot: https://car-storage.ca/request-a-spot/ · Email: info@car-storage.ca