4 Tips For Long Term Car Storage

Car storage may be needed if you are planning on traveling for a long amount of time and won't have use for your vehicle. You may also consider long term car storage if you will be moving to a different state or country and are not sure when you will return. Whatever the reason, long term car storage can help to keep your car safe until you are ready to start using it again. Here are four tips to help you successfully store your car long term:

  1. Prevent Damage From Outside Weather Conditions: Many types of weather conditions can take a toll on your vehicle, such as extreme sunlight exposure, rain, and moisture. Moisture and rain can cause rusting and sunlight exposure can do damage to the exterior paint of the vehicle. For the best protection against these things, you will want to find a car storage facility that can keep your car safe indoors. You also want to be sure that these storage facilities are free from small pests that can make a home in your car and destroy the interior components. 
  2. Wash the Car: Before storing your vehicle, you will want to have it thoroughly cleaned and waxed. This is important because any dirt and other debris on the exterior of your vehicle can cause deterioration of the paint and can even cause rusting. You should also change the oil filter in the vehicle to ensure that any dirt trapped in there will not cause damage to your engine. 
  3. Protect the Battery and Tires: Since you are not going to be driving your vehicle at all during the time that it is in storage, your battery will lose it's charge and the tires will develop flat spots that cannot be fixed. The best way to protect both the battery and tires while the car is in storage is to purchase a battery tender and take the tires off the vehicle. The battery tender will connect to your car's battery to keep it charged, and by removing the tires, you can take the pressure of the vehicle off them, which will keep them in their current condition. Just be sure that your car is sitting on vehicle blocks to keep it off the ground, which will damage the shape of the vehicle. 
  4. Maintenance After Storage: Once you are ready to take your car out of storage, you have to provide some necessary maintenance to ensure that it is back to original condition and safe to drive on the road. Taking it to a mechanic will ensure that everything is taken care of. For example, your mechanic will ensure that fluid levels are where they need to be, tire pressure is normal, and there is no deterioration of important components such as the brakes and windshield wipers. Be sure to also clean your car to remove dirt that has collected during the time in storage. 

By following these tips, you can be sure that car storage is successful and you don't do any extreme damage to your car that can cost you a great deal in car repairs once you are ready to drive it again. If you need a place to store your car, visit Ship Creek Storage.


Share