Sometimes people have several autos and not enough room in the garage to store them all for those long winter months. In many states it is now illegal to park a car on the grass, so you can be stuck with an extra car and no place to keep it. Many people use choose self-storage as an option. That’s because it’s economical and they know that their car will be safe and dry for the winter. There are a few precautions that auto owners must take before storing a car. If you are planning to store an auto for more than a few weeks, then it’s important to do it right so that when you come to pick up your car in the springtime (or whenever) you can be sure that it will be in great working condition.
Step One: Wash and wax. Washing your car before storing it will ensure that there are no harmful substances on the car that might cause rust or damage over time. For instance, if your auto has bird drippings or road salt on it, then these can damage the paint job.
Step Two: Change the Oil & Filter. Changing the oil and filter ensures that your engine will not sit for months filled with contaminated oil.
Step Three: Test Anti-Freeze. Have anti-freeze tested to make sure it will hold to the coldest temperature expected for the duration of the storage.
Step Four: Fill the fuel tank full. This helps prevent condensation inside the fuel tank. One of the most damaging things that often happens to stored automobiles is condensation inside the fuel tank. Once this occurs, you must have it removed and cleaned before starting your car. It is also advised that owners add a fuel stabilizer to the gas tank. Be sure to add this when you are filling the tank and then drive the car for a few miles to make sure the fuel and stabilizer are well mixed.
Step Four: Place car on jack stands. This step serves to take the weight off your tires. This is recommended for long term auto storage. With the car up on jack stands, your tires will receive no wear and tear even if the car is stored for a year or more. Be sure your tires are correctly inflated!
Step Five: Disconnect the Negative Battery Lead. This will prevent any type of electrical short and also save your battery from going dead. Eventually, over long periods the battery will drain but a battery maintainer can be utilized to keep it charged.
Step Six: Cover Car with Quality Auto Cover. A good quality car cover will keep dust, moisture and other pollutants away from your car’s interior and exterior.
Step Seven: Stuff Aluminum Foil into the Air Intake and Exhaust. This is done in order to prevent rodents or small animals from nesting in these locations. Be sure to put a note on your dashboard to remove the aluminum foil before starting the car again.
Step Eight: Remove Windshield Wiper Blades. This is done so that the rubber doesn’t stick to your windshield. You can also place a piece of plastic between the rubber wiper blades and the glass.
Step Nine: Remove Spark Plugs. If storing an auto for more than a year, it is recommended that you remove the spark plugs. Spray the cylinders with some oil to prevent rust. A special fogging oil that is used to store boats works well for this.
Step Ten: Release the parking brake. If the parking brake is left on, your brake pads can stick to the rotors.
Simply Self Storage offers long term and short term storage for boats, ATV’s and automobiles. Climate controlled storage is also available and can be well worth the extra money if you live in an area with extreme temperature. Also, if you are storing an expensive automobile such as an antique car, a climate controlled storage unit will assure that oil, fuel and coolants remain at the correct temp.
