Are you leaving town on a job for an extended period or taking an extended vacation of your own? One of the not-so-fun tasks car owners must contend with is long term car storage. After all, where are you supposed to leave your car when you’re not using it for an extended period?
Long term car storage may appear as simple as driving your car into the garage and covering it with a tarp. But that is not the way to take care of such valuable equipment.
Car owners, believe it or not, have a range of options. So don’t be concerned about storing your vehicle for months at a time.
Long term car storage facilities are a great way to keep your vehicle safe. Everything you need to know about long term car storage is right here.
The Best Ways to Prepare Your Car for Long Term Storage
It’s advised to put your car into storage if you are away for an extended period. If you leave your car parked for an extended time, for example, just parked on the street or in your garage, you may come back to
- A dead battery
- A damaged engine
- Wrecked tires
- A critters’ nests under the hood
Here are some tips on our to prepare your car for long term storage:
Clean Your Car Inside and Out
It may seem counterproductive to wash the car before storing it for a long time, but it is a simple step that should not be overlooked. Stains caused by rain or bird droppings can damage the car’s paint.
Don’t forget to clean grease, tar, and mud from the wheels and bottom part of the fenders. Then, apply a coat of wax to the car for added protection.
Keep Your Car Covered
A garage is an excellent place to keep a vehicle. This will safeguard it from weather and keep it at a relatively stable temperature. However, if you don’t have a garage and can find affordable storage, consider storing the car in a storage facility.
If you must leave your car outside, consider buying a weather-resistant car cover to keep it clean and dry.
Top Off the Car’s Liquids
Change the filter and oil before putting away your vehicle for an extended period. Oil sometimes contains substances that can damage your engine if left for an extended period.
It’s good to top off your car’s engine coolant before leaving. You should also fill up your gas tank and consider adding a fuel stabilizer to your car if you plan on going away for more than a month or two. This will help protect your engine and fuel system from corrosion and damage.
Charge It Up
If you want your car to start and drive when you return, you must maintain the battery so that it does not discharge. Even if you’re storing your vehicle for a short time, you should take steps to ensure its battery is in good shape.
Battery tenders are best for long term car storage. A battery tender or ‘trickle charger’ keeps your battery charged. This helps protect your car battery and ensures the car will start when you return.
Another choice is disconnecting the battery and keeping it in storage outside the car.
Finally, you can have a friend drive your car at regular intervals or run your vehicle for approximately 15 minutes every couple of weeks.
Avoid Using the Parking Brake
Do not use your parking brake when your car is in prolonged storage. It seems rather odd, why?
If the brake pads touch the rotors for an extended period, they may fuse. Instead, buy a tire stopper, also known as a chock, to keep the car from moving.
Check Your Tires
Check that your tires are correctly inflated to the suggested tire pressure. If a car is left stationary for an extended period, the tires may get flat spots as the car’s weight pushes down on the tire footprints. and vehicles with performance or low-profile tires.
If you’re storing your car for more than a month, remove the wheels and put them on jack stands. This extra step can save you from needing new tires. Also, if you’ve been away for a month or more, your tires will be in better shape when you return.
Keep Unwanted Critters Away
A garage will give your car protection from the environment and keep it dry and at an even temperature. But unfortunately, those are also the two factors that attract rodents to a stored car.
There are many nooks and crannies for animals to hide in your car. Also, many things for them to chew on. Cover any gaps that a mouse can get into, such as air intake and exhaust pipes. Steel wool is ideal for this. Use mothballs around the car’s periphery. The odor is said to repel rodents.
Keep Your Insurance Up to Date
You may consider canceling your car insurance when your vehicle is in storage. However, this may initially save you money.
Even to a smaller extent, you should keep your car insured while in storage and protect it from threats other than accidents occurring while driving.
The Benefits of Long Term Car Storage
Purchasing long term storage services for your car comes with several advantages. Let’s look at some below:
- Typically long term storage facilities have 24hr monitoring, so it gives you security
- Some long storage services include routine car checks and routine car detailing services
Choosing a top-notch long term storage facility will give you peace of mind, and you can trust that your valuable asset is being looked after.
Be Aware and Prepare!
Long term car storage is all about taking measures to avoid significant problems later.
Are you considering putting your car in long term storage? It may be the best option for your circumstances. With the above tips, you can put your mind at ease and store your vehicle securely with some preparation and some research.
Do you need to store a car for more than a month at a time? Then, contact us! We’ve been helping people secure their belongings and safeguard their assets for decades.