How to Put a Car on Blocks for Winter Storage Safely

As winter approaches, many car owners consider preparing their vehicles for extended storage, especially if they own a classic car, a seasonal vehicle, or simply want to protect their daily driver from harsh winter elements and the effects of prolonged idleness. One of the most crucial steps in this preparation is learning how to put a car on blocks for the winter. This practice helps prevent flat spots on tires, reduces stress on the suspension components, and keeps the vehicle elevated, making it easier to perform maintenance or simply keep it off potentially damp or corrosive garage floors. Done correctly, this process ensures your car remains in prime condition, ready to hit the road when spring arrives.

Why Elevate Your Car for Winter Storage?

Parking a car for several months without moving it can lead to a host of problems. Understanding the “why” behind putting your car on blocks is essential before delving into the “how.” The primary reasons include:

• Preventing Flat Spots on Tires: When a car sits stationary for extended periods, the constant pressure on the same section of the tires can cause them to develop flat spots. These flat spots can lead to vibrations and an uncomfortable ride once the car is put back into service, potentially requiring tire replacement. Elevating the car removes this pressure, preserving the tire’s shape and integrity.
• Reducing Stress on Suspension Components: The weight of a vehicle constantly bears down on its suspension system, including springs, shocks, and bushings. Lifting the car allows these components to relax, potentially extending their lifespan by preventing them from being compressed under static load for months.
• Protecting Tires from Cold and Moisture: While less critical than flat-spotting, keeping tires off a cold, potentially damp garage floor or outdoor surface can help protect the rubber from hardening or cracking due to prolonged exposure to low temperatures and moisture.
• Facilitating Underbody Access: Elevating the car provides better access to its undercarriage, which can be beneficial for cleaning, rustproofing, or performing other preparatory maintenance tasks before storage. It also keeps the underbody off potentially wet concrete, reducing the risk of rust formation.

Considering these benefits, properly putting your car on blocks for the winter is a sound investment in your vehicle’s longevity and performance.

Essential Tools and Safety Equipment

Before you begin the process of putting your car on blocks, gather all necessary tools and prioritize safety. Working with heavy machinery like a car requires caution and the right equipment to prevent accidents.

Required Tools:

• Hydraulic Floor Jack: A robust jack capable of safely lifting your vehicle. Ensure it has a sufficient weight capacity for your specific car model.
• Jack Stands (at least 4): These are critical for supporting the car once it’s lifted. Never work under a car that is only supported by a hydraulic jack. Jack stands should also have a weight capacity that exceeds your vehicle’s weight.
• Wheel Chocks: Used to prevent the wheels that are still on the ground from rolling while you’re lifting other parts of the car.
• Gloves: Protect your hands from grease, sharp edges, and cold.
• Safety Glasses: Essential to protect your eyes from debris or fluids that might dislodge.
• Flashlight or Work Light: For better visibility, especially when locating jack points and placing stands.
• Creeper (Optional but Recommended): A rolling board that allows you to easily slide under the car, making access more comfortable and safer.
• Torque Wrench (Optional): For re-tightening lug nuts if you remove wheels, though typically not needed for just placing a car on blocks.
• Large Pieces of Wood or Solid Rubber Pads (Optional): Can be placed between the jack stand and the car’s frame to prevent damage or provide extra stability.

Safety Precautions:

Safety is paramount. Ignoring these precautions can lead to serious injury or damage to your vehicle.

• Work on a Level and Hard Surface: Always park your car on a flat, solid, non-slip surface like concrete. Never attempt to lift a car on an incline, gravel, grass, or asphalt that might give way.
• Engage the Parking Brake: Before lifting, always engage the parking brake, especially if you are working on the front of the car.
• Chock the Wheels: Even with the parking brake engaged, use wheel chocks on the wheels that will remain on the ground to prevent any accidental rolling.
• Locate Jack Points: Consult your car’s owner’s manual to identify the proper jack points. Using incorrect points can damage your car’s frame, suspension, or underbody.
• Never Work Under a Car Supported Only by a Jack: A hydraulic jack is designed for lifting, not for prolonged support. Always use jack stands to support the vehicle once it’s lifted.
• Lower Gently: When lowering the car onto jack stands, do so slowly and carefully to ensure it seats properly and stably.
• Test Stability: Once the car is on stands, give it a gentle shake to ensure it’s stable before removing the jack or working underneath.
• Clear Work Area: Keep your workspace clean and free of obstacles to prevent trips and falls.
• Be Aware of Your Surroundings: Ensure no one else is near the vehicle while you are lifting or lowering it.

By taking the time to gather the right tools and adhere to strict safety guidelines, you can ensure the process of preparing your vehicle for storage is as safe and efficient as possible.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Put Your Car on Blocks Safely

Now, let’s walk through the precise steps required to safely elevate your vehicle using jack stands. Remember, patience and attention to detail are key here. This guide assumes you are placing all four wheels on jack stands.

1. Initial Car Preparation

1. Park on a Level Surface: As emphasized in the safety section, choose a flat, hard, and stable surface for this procedure.
2. Engage Parking Brake: Fully engage your car’s parking brake. For manual transmissions, leave the car in first gear; for automatics, place it in ‘Park’.
3. Chock the Wheels: If you plan to lift the front of the car first, place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels. If lifting the rear first, chock the front wheels. This prevents any unintended movement.

2. Lifting the Front of the Car

1. Locate Front Jack Point: Consult your car’s owner’s manual for the central front jack point. This is usually a strong cross-member or a dedicated reinforced area designed for a floor jack.
2. Position the Jack: Place the hydraulic floor jack squarely under this central front jack point. Ensure the jack’s saddle is centered and securely in contact with the jack point.
3. Lift the Car: Slowly and steadily pump the jack handle to lift the front of the car. Raise it high enough so that you can comfortably slide the jack stands under the designated front support points.
4. Position Jack Stands: While the car is still supported by the jack, carefully slide a jack stand under each of the front frame rails or specific jack stand points (often near the front wheels, behind the front tires, on the pinch weld, or lower control arm mounts – again, check your manual for exact locations). Ensure the stands are positioned on solid, reinforced metal.
5. Lower onto Stands: Once both jack stands are securely in place, slowly and carefully release the hydraulic jack, allowing the car to settle onto the jack stands. Double-check that the car is firmly seated on both stands.
6. Remove Jack: Once the car is stable on the stands, remove the floor jack.

3. Lifting the Rear of the Car

With the front of the car securely on jack stands, you will repeat a similar process for the rear.

1. Re-chock Wheels (if necessary): If you’ve removed the front wheels or adjusted chocks, ensure the car is still stable. Since the front is on stands, you might consider placing chocks at the front of the rear wheels before lifting, or just being extra cautious.
2. Locate Rear Jack Point: Find the central rear jack point in your owner’s manual. This is often a differential housing (for RWD vehicles) or a strong cross-member for FWD cars.
3. Position the Jack: Place the hydraulic floor jack under this central rear jack point.
4. Lift the Car: Slowly and steadily pump the jack handle to lift the rear of the car. Lift it high enough to place the remaining two jack stands. Be mindful that lifting one end of the car higher can cause the other end to feel less stable if not properly secured on stands.
5. Position Jack Stands: Slide a jack stand under each of the rear frame rails or designated jack stand points (usually near the rear wheels, similar to the front).
6. Lower onto Stands: Slowly and carefully release the hydraulic jack, letting the car settle onto these two rear jack stands. Verify that the car is firmly seated.
7. Remove Jack: Remove the floor jack.

4. Final Safety Check

Once all four corners of your car are resting on jack stands, perform a thorough final safety check:

• Visual Inspection: Walk around the car and visually confirm that all four jack stands are stable, level, and securely supporting the vehicle at reinforced points.
• Shake Test: Gently try to rock the car from different angles. It should feel absolutely solid with no significant movement. If there’s any wobbling or instability, lower the car and re-do the process.
• Clear Work Area: Remove all tools, chocks, and jacks from under and around the car.

Your car is now safely elevated on blocks for winter storage. For additional vehicle maintenance tips and resources, you can always visit maxmotorsmissouri.com.

Additional Winter Car Storage Tips

Putting your car on blocks is a vital step, but it’s part of a larger regimen for proper winter storage. To ensure your vehicle emerges from hibernation in perfect condition, consider these additional tips:

• Battery Maintenance: Disconnect the battery or, even better, connect it to a trickle charger or battery tender. This will prevent the battery from discharging completely over several months, ensuring it’s ready to start when you need it.
• Fuel Stabilization: Fill the fuel tank completely to minimize air space, which can lead to condensation and rust in the tank. Add a fuel stabilizer according to the product’s instructions. This prevents fuel degradation and keeps the fuel system clean.
• Fluid Checks and Changes:
  • Oil: Change the engine oil and filter. Old, dirty oil contains contaminants that can corrode engine components during storage.
  • Coolant: Ensure your coolant is at the correct level and has adequate antifreeze protection for winter temperatures.
  • Brake Fluid: Check the brake fluid level.
• Tire Care (even on blocks): While on blocks, tires are off the ground, but you can still clean them and apply a UV protectant to prevent cracking. If you removed the wheels, store them flat and covered.
• Rodent Control: Critters love warm, dark places. Place dryer sheets, mothballs (in a container), or electronic rodent repellents in the engine bay and cabin to deter mice and other pests from nesting and chewing on wires. Block exhaust pipes with steel wool.
• Interior Preparation: Clean the interior thoroughly. Remove all food items, as they can attract pests. Vacuum carpets and wipe down surfaces. Consider placing moisture-absorbing packets inside to prevent mildew.
• Car Cover: Use a breathable car cover. This protects the car from dust, dirt, and minor impacts, while allowing moisture to escape, preventing condensation buildup under the cover.
• Window and Sunroof Slightly Open (if stored indoors): If storing in a secure, dry garage, slightly crack the windows or sunroof (a tiny amount) to allow for air circulation and prevent stale odors or mildew. Only do this if rodent control is in place.
• Release Parking Brake (once on blocks): After the car is securely on jack stands and no longer relying on its tires, you can release the parking brake. This prevents the brake pads from seizing to the rotors over long periods of inactivity, which can happen if moisture is present.

By following these comprehensive steps, your car will not only be physically supported but also chemically and environmentally protected, ensuring a smooth transition back to driving come spring.

The Importance of E-E-A-T in Car Maintenance

When undertaking any automotive task, especially those involving lifting a heavy vehicle, relying on accurate, expert-reviewed information is paramount. This aligns with Google’s E-E-A-T guidelines (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness). For a task like learning how to put a car on blocks for the winter, it’s crucial to understand that:

• Experience comes from having actually performed the task or learned from someone who has. The steps outlined here are based on common automotive shop practices and safety standards.
• Expertise in car maintenance and safety ensures that the advice provided is technically sound and practical. This article draws on best practices recommended by automotive professionals.
• Authoritativeness is established by being a trusted source in the automotive field. Websites like maxmotorsmissouri.com aim to be authoritative hubs for car-related information.
• Trustworthiness is built by providing clear, verifiable, and safety-conscious instructions. Every step, especially the safety precautions, is designed to ensure the user’s well-being and the integrity of their vehicle.

Always prioritize safety and verify information with your vehicle’s specific owner’s manual. When in doubt, consult a certified mechanic.

Successfully learning how to put a car on blocks for the winter is a critical skill for any car enthusiast or owner looking to preserve their vehicle’s condition during long-term storage. By following the detailed steps for safely lifting your car onto jack stands and implementing comprehensive winter storage preparations, you can significantly extend your vehicle’s lifespan and avoid common issues like flat-spotted tires or stressed suspension components. This diligent approach ensures your car is protected from the elements and ready for the road when warmer weather returns.

Last Updated on October 17, 2025 by Cristian Steven