If you know you won’t be driving your car for longer than a month, then you should heavily consider putting it into storage for the time being. Whether you’re taking an extended vacation or simply need a place to store away that sweet summer ride of yours, there are a few things you should take care of before putting your baby to rest. After all, improper storage of your car can lead to damage that could just as easily have been avoided with a little extra care and attention. To help avoid any trouble, here’s a look at the steps you should take to properly prepare your car for long-term storage.
Clean It Up
The first thing you should address when you begin preparing your car for long-term storage is cleaning it up. Any dirt or debris left inside or along the outside the car can lead to serious damages. Damaged paint, stained interiors, and strange odors are just a few of the things a dirty car can leave you with after a couple of months in storage. Give your car a thorough clean outside, inside, and underneath and just to be sure, a fresh coat of wax doesn’t hurt either.
Oil and Gas
It may seem counterintuitive, but giving your car a fresh oil change and filling up the tank with gas should definitely be on your to-do list before putting your car away into a self-storage facility. A full tank helps to prevent the seals from drying out and air from building up inside your fuel tank.
Mind Your Battery
One of the most important things to account for when putting your car into storage is your car battery. Assuming your car will remain untouched for over a month, it’s best to either disconnect the negative battery cable or attach a trickle charger in order to prevent your car battery from losing its charge.
Rust and Corrosion
Take the extra time to remove the spark plugs and give the cylinders a good spray of oil before reinstalling the spark plugs. Make sure the oil is properly circulated by turning the crankshaft a few times. It won’t take too long and it will help protect your precious car from excess rust and corrosion while you’re away.
Protect Those Tires
When a car sits in place too long, the tires can deform and develop flat spots from the amount of weight constantly pressed onto a single location on the tire. Best practice says to take the tires off of the car entirely and keep the vehicle jacked up on all four corners to prevent damage to your tires.
Keep Things Covered
Once you’ve taken care of everything else, park your car inside your storage facility and cover it with an appropriate car cover. The cover will help keep the car clean and protected from any exterior threats.
About the Author
Price Self Storage offers complete, professional service for personal and business storage needs. With facilities located throughout California, Price Self Storage has the storage solution to fit any need
whether it is car storage, boat storage, RV storage, or simply some extra space. To learn more about Price Self Storage, visit their website.
