How To Prepare Your Car for Extended Storage
Preparing your car for storage can protect your vehicle’s condition and make sure it is in working order when you return. Look for reliable storage for cars at facilities that have spacious units or outdoor parking. Here’s how to prepare your care for extended storage:
Change the Oil
Before getting storage for cars, change the oil and any filters. Some synthetic oils will accumulate moisture, which can cause issues later on. Replace the filter with a quality option that will suit your particular vehicle. A protective coating of clean lubricant on engine components during storage is also beneficial. This maintenance step is necessary to prevent sludge formation and acid buildup within engine components.
Add Fuel Stabilizers
A full fuel tank makes it so there is no air space to form condensation. Modern fuel stabilizers stop the oxidation process in the gasoline components. Follow the directions for applying stabilizer based on the capacity of your tank. Add stabilizer and drive the vehicle for several miles to circulate the stabilizer throughout the system.
Clean Everything Thoroughly
Cleaning your entire vehicle is another step to take before putting your car in storage. Remove particles and dirt from the surface of your car to prevent rust or staining. Vacuum all interior surfaces thoroughly, including under seats and in storage compartments. This will help remove any food buildup that can cause mold or mildew growth.
Fabric protectors help prevent staining if moisture gets in the vehicle. Remove leaves and debris that could hold moisture from the engine bay. Leather conditioner is an interior treatment that you can use to prevent the seats and other leather surfaces from cracking and drying during storage. Give your car adequate time to dry before putting it in an indoor storage facility.
Maintain Battery Life
Trickle chargers and other battery maintainers keep the voltage at optimum levels while your vehicles are in storage. Long-term storage can cause your battery to drain if it is not hooked up to a charger when not in use. You can also remove the battery entirely from the vehicle and store it in a separate location to help maintain the charge. Clean the battery terminals and connections with the appropriate cleaners, and apply an anti-corrosion compound to avoid connection damage over time.
Cover Open Components
During colder months, tiny creatures may seek warm, sheltered spaces, such as the engine compartment of a vehicle. If you have any open spaces where pests will try to climb into your vehicle, seal them off. You can cover seal exhaust pipes with steel wool or other materials, but you will need to remember to take them out when you start your car again. Seal or remove cabin air filters and make sure all windows are closed tightly. Reputable storage facilities offer clean, safe spaces to store your car so you don’t have to worry about pest removal.
Get Quality Storage for Cars
These steps will help prepare your car for storage so that it will run smoothly when you want to use it again in the future. Schedule periodic checkups for your car while it is in storage to make sure it is running properly. Taking it in a short drive will help prevent wear or deflated tires. Start your search for a reputable storage facility that offers spacious storage units for cars.
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