As the nights get longer, the temperature falls, and the chance of wind, rain, and ice increases, looking after your Porsche is just as important as turning on your heating, taking your thick coats out of the cupboard, and giving your winter duvet an airing.
Seasonal vehicle maintenance is a must, since cars that are properly serviced and prepared for the change in the weather are typically less exposed to malfunctions, poor handling, and skidding when the roads start getting slippery.
This guide from the Porsche OEM parts specialists at Design911 runs through some simple checks and storage guidance to ensure your vehicle continues to run smoothly, regardless of the winter conditions.
Prepping Your Porsche in Autumn
Great preemptive maintenance starts about now. Ensure your car is stored somewhere dry so you, your mechanic, or a local specialist can give it a thorough once-over and highlight any issues or deterioration that need attention sooner rather than later.
Classic Porsches and 964 models manufactured from around 1989 onwards often have an undertray fitted, which is pretty straightforward to remove and clean out, getting rid of grime, debris, and dust, and waxing the fittings to prevent corrosion.
The underside of the car is often the key focus since the metallic components are most vulnerable to rust and corrosion. This is often exacerbated by higher road spray over the winter, especially due to the salt used in gritting, which can cause extensive damage.
Cleaning all key engine parts thoroughly, adding wax to exposed parts of the chassis, and checking that all rubber components are in great working order is time well spent. The winter causes so many problems because the freezing overnight weather and heat when you drive create sharp variables, which can mean older rubber seals rapidly start to fail if they haven’t been replaced in good time.
For example, if you have a rubber coolant hose that is approaching the end of its life, it may need replacing now to ensure you aren't left stranded or, at worst, with further damage to the other internal workings of your Porsche engine.
Choosing Whether to Switch Summer for Winter Tyres
Seasonal tyres are often a subject of debate, and a lot depends on whether you live in a region where snow and ice are guaranteed, the distances you anticipate driving during the winter, and the quality and grip of your current tyres.
The ideal is to opt for a robust set of winter tyres that perform optimally during the winter and protect against skidding, aquaplaning, and poor braking and handling—all of which can be a serious hazard or safety risk.
Porsche recommends a range of cold-weather tyres, although we can suggest numerous options based on the model you drive and your budget. Popular winter tyre brands for Porsche include Michelin models like the Cross Climate, Pilot Sport2, or 4S, but there are numerous options that provide better grip in cold weather than summer-specific tyres.
Being Prepared for Winter Driving Conditions
We all know the stress of waiting for the interior to warm up on a cold winter evening. Topping up your screen wash and making sure you have a scraper to hand, rather than an aerosol, ensures you can keep icy windscreens at bay while being a little eco-conscious.
Modern Porsche models have self-heating windscreens and rear-view mirrors, which kick in pretty quickly, but a scraper can help expedite the time it takes to clear snow and ice from your mirrors and windows.
Of course, it’s also important to:
- Have a basic road safety kit for longer drives, including a hazards triangle, warm blankets, plenty of water, and a torch. Although you’re unlikely to need it, this could become a lifesaver in a serious snowstorm.
- Check that your roadside assistance is valid and up to date. If you become stranded or experience a breakdown, you'll want a reliable service to ensure you can recover your vehicle and return home or to your destination.
During the winter, it's also best to store your Porsche in a garage or carport, although if you're parking indoors, it's well worth checking that you have sufficient ventilation. After driving in wet conditions with higher concentrations of salt on the road, parking inside without a way for the moisture to escape can increase the speed of corrosion and rust formation.
If you’re parking on a driveway, you can purchase a cover or windscreen to prevent ice formation and ensure your vehicle is ready to drive each morning.
Tips on Storing a Vintage Porsche Until Spring
Some Porsche enthusiasts and collectors own classic or vintage vehicles that they simply won't risk driving in the winter, and if you’re opting to store your vehicle until the weather warms up, prep and maintenance remain equally important.
Most experts suggest using a trickle charger to ensure the battery doesn't deplete and need replacement. It's also wise to avoid storing a vehicle with a full tank for several months—keeping the fuel as low as possible will prevent stagnant fuel from damaging the engine.
Drying the vehicle thoroughly before putting it into your garage or storage facility, ensuring the handbrake is fully engaged, and checking the tyre pressure before you go back onto the road are all good tips, as is running the engine for around 20-30 minutes before your first trip.
Finally, some don'ts:
- Never park a Porsche on grass or a damp floor over the winter, as extended exposure to dampness is a core cause of corrosion.
- Don’t purchase a cover or protective screen that is too tight or too loose and could flap in a breeze. Overly tight or loose covers can cause damage to the paintwork or leave marks on the bodywork.
- Try not to choose a generic winter cover; instead, opt for a cover specific to your model of Porsche, or pick up some good-quality clips that can secure the cover to the vehicle.
- Avoid heavier-weight metal clips that could leave scratches if they become loosened for any reason.
We hope these tips help you prepare your Porsche for winter driving or learn how to protect your vehicle in storage over the winter. For more information on any of the products or components mentioned, please visit the Design911 site or give us a call for advice on the best options for your Porsche.
Read more about Design911 - Design911 Talks About the Challenges of Converting Classic Porsches to Electric Motors.
About Design911
Design911 has established itself as the market leader, offering trade and retail customers a full range of OEM and aftermarket Porsche parts for general servicing and rebuild as well as restoration and tuning for the UK, European and world-wide markets. The Design911.co.uk website now sports a Porsche parts finder to help you get the exact aftermarket Porsche part you need. The company's impressive 34,000 sq. ft Essex headquarters comprise sales department, warehouse, workshop and body shop, as well as a showroom of classic Porsches for sale. We pride ourselves that we will be the company that can supply 'every part for every Porsche'.
***
Source Company: https://www.design911.co.uk
