When putting your items in storage for any amount of time, it’s important that you pack them in a way that’s certain to protect them while maintaining their quality. Cars have become a major part of so many of our lives. We use them for business, travel means, leisure and hobby activities.
If you find that you won’t be using your car for an extended period of time, you will want to ensure that it remains in the condition you left it in. Whether you’re leaving town for an extended trip, or simply only drive your flashy convertible in the summer, putting your car in storage is important to preserve its lifespan.
Here are our top car storage tips that will help preserve the engine and keep it in working condition while you are away.
1. Wash It
To keep your car in the best possible condition during storage, it’s important that you give it a thorough clean, inside and out. Stains on your car can damage the paint and leave permanent marks.
2. Cover It
The best place to store your car is in a secure garage. You can find a secure, affordable, local garage on Spacer. A garage will keep the temperature relatively stable while protecting your car from the elements and any pests, providing it’s well maintained.
If you want to take extra precautions, you could set up bait traps or cotton swabs with peppermint oil, which is said to deter mice. If you do set up traps you will need to check the garage periodically to clear out any mice that get trapped. Pests like mice can set up camp in your vehicle and even chew on wires.
3. Change the Oil
If you are storing your vehicle for longer than a month, changing the oil is usually a good idea. Old oil, if left to sit for a prolonged period of time can cause damage to the engine, so getting the oil changed can be worthwhile.
4. Fill Up the Tank
Again, this only applies if you’re storing your vehicle long term. Filling up the fuel tank prevents excess moisture from accumulating inside the tank that can cause damage but it also prevents seals drying out and cracking.
It’s also a good idea to use a fuel stabiliser to ensure your fuel stays fresh and prevent deterioration.
5. Keep it Charged or Unplug Battery
When it comes to your car battery and storage there’s two options. The first of which is the simple action of taking your car for a 15-minute drive every few weeks, however, if it’s in storage this probably isn’t an option.
If that’s so, simply unplugging the battery will prevent any power drain. However, this will reset your stereo pre-sets and so on.
6. Put it on Jacks
Again, if your car is going into storage for a long period of time, the best option for your tyres is to take them off the vehicle. This means your car will rest on four jack stands placed in each corner.
The reason for going to this much effort is to ensure your tyres aren’t damaged from having a car rest stationary on them for a long period of time, as this can cause flat spots in your tyre.
If you’re looking to store your vehicle, or simply need more storage space, Spacer can provide you with affordable, secure and local storage solutions.
