Preparing your car for storage is necessary if you need to transport it, make room on a property, or reserve it for storage. Before storing your car, it is important to follow a few simple but necessary maintenance steps to ensure its long-term functionality and protection. Just follow these eight essential car storage tips and you're good to go.
8 steps to prepare your car for storage
1. Add fuel stabilizer
A fuel stabilizer prevents your car's gasoline from oxidizing and thickening, which wreaks havoc on fuel systems. The shelf life of regular gasoline is only about three to five months without use. According to Erie Insurance , it begins to crack after just 30 days. The best fuel stabilizers can extend this period up to two years.
2. Add cool liquids
Like fuel, automotive fluids are not meant to sit for long periods of time. Topping up fluids also prevents your vehicle's seals from drying out and moisture build-up. Before parking your car, fill up the following fluids to the maximum level:
- Power steering
- brake fluid
- oil
- coolant
- smooth transmission
3. Charge your car battery
If you don't run the alternator regularly, your battery will not experience the cyclic charge it was designed for and will slowly drain over time. Fully charging the battery before storing it will ensure that it has as much energy as possible before it goes to sleep. Varta explains that the correct charge for most car batteries is between 12.7 and 12.8 volts.
For extra-long car storage, it's best to remove the battery and store it safely (place it on a board or piece of plywood) in your apartment or air-conditioned garage.
4. Wash your car
Dirt and grime can attack the paint and turn it into rust. So wash and wax your car before putting it away for maximum protection. In particular, in the next step, be sure to clean the exterior of your vehicle before storing it.
5. Cover it
Once your car is spotless and free of corrosive substances, a properly fitting cover will protect it from further dirt build-up and prevent rust if the storage environment gets wet. Invest in a soft-bottomed deck, or use a separate softer deck before installing a stronger one.
6. Put your car on blocks
By putting your car on stands or jacks, you avoid flat spots on your tires, which occur when the same part of the tire supports the entire weight of the car for an extended period of time. Make sure you put the blocks on the vehicle frame in place of the axle tubes; otherwise it may affect the suspension.
7. Do not apply the parking brake
It is not a good idea to leave the parking brake on for long periods of time. It contributes to rust and causes brake pads to stick to rotors or brake shoes to warp drums. These are costly problems and there is virtually no benefit in leaving your car's parking brake on. Alternatively, use wheel chocks and engage reverse gear for manual transmissions.
8. Protect your car from mice before putting it away
Especially in cold climates, rodents will try to nest in insulated items and could also chew through your car's wiring . Make sure the storage facility is mouse-proof and clean the interior thoroughly to remove as much food debris as possible, even if steam cleaning is needed. If there is food, the mice and rats will find it.
Finally, temporarily seal all openings such as the steering column and cable and pedal entries. For maximum protection, use a zip bag to seal the entire car .
Car storage done right
With these eight car storage tips, your wheels should be ready to ride the way you left them. While it can be tempting to take shortcuts, you want to make sure your car is protected as much as possible, even if it's just going into storage.
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