Prep Your Generator for Winter

Nov 20, 2018

The holidays are here, but more importantly the cold weather is here too, and with a vengeance. It’s important to remember that your generator, just like any other engine, needs to be ready to endure both periods of inactivity as well as cold weather storage. So, before you find your generator isn’t ready to go after a bad storm – leaving you without heat, light, or Christmas music — follow this guide to prep your generator for winter.

Prep Your Generator for Winter

Read your manual! Different manufacturers may have specific requirements that you should know about for your generator, so be sure to look at your manual first and know what sort of special concerns cold weather may bring to bear on your unit.
Change your oil. Just like before your put your lawn mower away for the winter, make sure your generator’s oil is fresh. If you think it’s going to sit for a period of time unused, drain and replace your oil to reduce the likelihood of other matter getting into your engine and causing wear or other damage.
Use a fuel stabilizer. Fuel can begin to cause corrosion and other chemical reactions if it sits for a long time. Adding stabilizer to both your fuel tank and to any gas storage cans you may have will help extend the life of the fuel and prevent damage to engine components. This can be especially important if you are using fuel that contains ethanol.
Always carry a spare—battery, fuel, oil, and other parts you may need to get your generator running in an emergency. Ask yourself the question: what will I need if the generator does not start?
Consider a battery warmer. This item, just like the ones for vehicles, can help make sure your vehicle’s battery doesn’t get so cold as to impair its functioning. Also, be aware of the impact temperature changes overall can have on a battery. In areas where temperatures change dramatically in short periods of time, battery lives may be shorter than advertised.
Finally, make sure you can reach your generator. If you have a mounted generator for emergencies, be sure you have cleared paths and access to both use and repair it in those dire moments. Also, make sure your generator is not covered to avoid buildup of harmful exhaust fumes.