In the life of every vehicle owner, there may come a time when you need to store your car for an extended period. Whether it’s for a long vacation, a work assignment abroad, or simply because you have a seasonal vehicle that isn’t used year-round, understanding how to properly store your vehicle is crucial. This ensures that once you’re ready to hit the road again, your car will be, too. Interestingly, options like the Bloomsburg auto auction offer vehicles that can be managed and preserved over time.
Clean and Cover
The first step in preparing your vehicle for long-term storage is to give it a thorough clean, both inside and out. This isn’t just about aesthetics; dirt and residues can cause damage over time. A clean car prevents pests from being attracted to food remnants or other organic materials inside your vehicle. Once cleaned, applying a coat of wax will protect the paint job. For the interior, a leather conditioner can help keep the upholstery from drying out. Finally, cover your car with a breathable fabric to protect it from dust and scratches.
After cleaning your vehicle and applying a protective coating of wax, it’s critical to focus on the details that could make a big difference throughout its storage time. For example, treating rubber seals with a rubber conditioner helps keep them from drying out and breaking, preserving the vehicle’s integrity and keeping doors and windows airtight. Furthermore, installing moisture absorbers within the vehicle can assist control humidity levels, preserving the interior from mold and mildew growth. These seemingly modest measures serve an important part in keeping the vehicle’s condition, ensuring that when it comes time to bring your automobile out of storage, it is in the same beautiful condition as when it was stored.
Fluids and Fuel
Change the oil and replace all filters before storing your vehicle. Old oil can contain contaminants that may damage the engine. Fill the gas tank and add a fuel stabilizer to prevent the fuel from deteriorating. This also helps in keeping the seals from drying out and reduces the risk of rust inside the fuel tank. Ensure that the coolant is at the right level to avoid the engine freezing in cold temperatures.
Following the critical processes of changing the oil and controlling the fuel system, it is equally necessary to consider brake fluid and power steering fluid, if applicable. These fluids should be examined and replenished as necessary. Over time, brake fluid can absorb moisture, resulting in corrosion in the brake system. Similarly, a power steering fluid is necessary for the proper operation of your steering system and might degrade over time. Keeping these fluids in the proper amounts and good condition helps to prevent system failures or damage. This complete approach to fluid management protects not only the engine and fuel system but also the vehicle’s braking and steering systems during storage, ensuring the car’s operational integrity until it is returned to the road.
Battery Maintenance
For the battery, the best practice is to disconnect it to prevent it from draining. If you’re storing your car for a very long time, consider using a battery maintainer that keeps the battery charged at a safe, constant rate.
In addition to unplugging the battery and maybe using a battery maintainer, clean the battery terminals before storage to prevent corrosion. A simple mixture of baking soda and water can be used to remove any corrosion from the terminals, ensuring a proper connection and extending the battery’s life. This step is especially crucial since corrosion can cause battery drain and damage, making it harder to restart when you’re ready to use the car again. After cleaning, putting a small layer of petroleum jelly on the terminals can help prevent them from corrosion during storage. These preventive procedures help to preserve the battery’s health and ensure that your vehicle’s electrical system is reliable over time.
Tires and Brakes
Inflate your tires to the recommended pressure to prevent flat spots from forming during storage. For very long-term storage, consider placing the car on jack stands to take the weight off the tires and suspension. As for the brakes, ensure they are clean and free of any debris to prevent them from seizing.
After inflating and setting the tires and cleaning the brakes, it is vital to ensure that the parking brake is not engaged during long-term storage. Excessive use of the parking brake can cause the brake pads to adhere to the rotors or drums, causing problems when the car is restarted. Instead, utilize wheel chocks to securely place and stabilize the vehicle, limiting unwanted movement while reducing stress on the braking system. This approach maintains the brakes in good working order while also protecting the tires and suspension components, ensuring that the vehicle remains motionless and stable during storage.
Indoor vs. Outdoor
Ideally, storing your vehicle indoors in a garage or storage facility protects it from the elements and reduces the risk of damage. If indoor storage is not an option, choose a secure, well-ventilated outdoor location. Use a high-quality car cover designed for outdoor use to protect your vehicle from the sun, rain, and dirt.
When choosing an outdoor storage area, it is critical to consider environmental elements that may impact your car. Avoid parking under trees to keep sap, bird droppings, and fallen branches from damaging the car’s exterior. Furthermore, if the vehicle is stored in an area prone to high winds or storms, anchoring the car cover with extra straps or weights can keep it from being blown away or ripped, providing an added layer of protection from harsh weather conditions. For those living in coastal areas, the increased salt content in the air can accelerate corrosion, making it even more important to keep the car well-covered and inspect it regularly for any symptoms of rust or damage. These precautions help to reduce the hazards connected with outdoor storage, protecting the vehicle’s condition until it is ready to drive again.
Security and Accessibility
Select a storage location that is secure and provides easy access when you need to check on your vehicle or when it’s time to take it out of storage. Consider facilities with surveillance cameras, security patrols, and gated access for added peace of mind.
In addition to selecting a secure location with surveillance and gated entry, it is advisable to look for storage facilities that provide individual alarms for each unit or area. These unique security measures ensure that any unwanted access to your car results in an immediate alert, adding an extra degree of protection. Furthermore, choosing a facility with 24-hour access can be advantageous, letting you see your vehicle at your leisure without being limited by office hours. This kind of accessibility is especially crucial for those who may need to recover their vehicle suddenly or want to do regular checks to ensure everything is in working order. Prioritizing both security and accessibility allows you to have peace of mind knowing that your vehicle is not only safe from theft or damage but also easily available when you need it.
Regular Check-ups
Even when stored, your vehicle requires some attention. If possible, have someone start the car every two weeks to circulate the oil and operate the air conditioning to keep the system lubricated. This also helps to keep the battery charged if you haven’t disconnected it.
During these monthly check-ups, it’s also a good idea to temporarily drive the car if the situation allows, rather than just starting it and leaving it idle. This short drive serves to keep the vehicle’s mechanical elements moving, lubricating seals and preventing brakes from seizing. Moving the car, even for a short distance, can help prevent flat spots on the tires caused by prolonged periods of inactivity. This method improves circulation throughout the vehicle’s systems, including the gearbox and power steering, and aids in the detection of any possible problems that may emerge during storage. By adding these tasks to your vehicle’s maintenance regimen, you can considerably reduce the likelihood of mechanical failures or deterioration when it comes time to take it out of storage.
Pest Control
Rodents and other pests can cause significant damage to stored vehicles. Use natural repellents or electronic devices to keep pests at bay. Sealing any openings, such as the exhaust pipe or air intake, can also prevent them from entering your vehicle.
Additionally, placing mothballs or rodent-repellent sachets under the hood and in the trunk will stop pests from nesting inside your vehicle. These compounds create unpleasant aromas that repel rodents and insects, making the environment less appealing for them to inhabit. To avoid any harm, place these repellents in regions where they will not come into direct touch with the vehicle’s components. Regular checks of the vehicle’s surroundings for indicators of pest activity might also aid in taking prompt action to address any issues. Combining these measures will provide a full defense against pests, protecting your vehicle’s integrity throughout storage.
Tire Rotation
If your vehicle is on the ground, rotating the tires every few months can help prevent flat spots from developing. This is especially important for vehicles stored without being lifted by jack stands.
Tire rotation for automobiles in long-term storage promotes even tire wear, which is critical for maintaining balanced driving dynamics and tire longevity once the vehicle is returned to use. This method entails shifting the tire locations based on the manufacturer’s suggestion or a regular rotation pattern, such as moving the front tires to the back and the rear tires to the front in a cross-diagonal pattern. For cars having a full-size spare tire, putting it in the rotation sequence can help to increase the life of all tires while maintaining uniform tire quality. Regular tire pressure checks during these rotations are also important; even little pressure adjustments can prevent tire degradation and keep them in good condition during the storage period. This thorough approach to tire maintenance is crucial for vehicle preservation and safety.
Summary
Long-term automobile storage needs attention to detail and a commitment to keeping your car in good condition. By adhering to these principles, you can ensure that your vehicle is in excellent shape and ready for use whenever you are. Whether you’re storing a historic automobile, a seasonal vehicle, or simply parking your daily driving while you’re away, these pointers can help you maintain your investment and keep it operating well for years to come. Remember that a well-maintained vehicle not only provides dependable transportation but may also retain more of its worth over time.
