Plan on putting your car in a storage facility? Then you’ll need to prepare the car for the facility. Chances are the storage already let you know some rules and regulations it has about storing cars, but there are some additional tips that’ll ensure the safety of your car over the period it is in storage. By just taking a couple of precautions it can make a huge difference, so here are those seven tips for you:

1. Don’t Leave The Parking Brake On 

At all other times the parking brake is a good idea, but in the case when you are leaving a car sitting for a long time, you’ll need to take the parking brake off. The reason behind this is that the brake pads can actually fuse to the rotors if they are left on their for too long. If you are worried about the car moving you can get a chock or tire stoppers in place of having the parking brake on.

2. Clean Up The Inside And Outside

Any grime that is left on the interior or exterior of the car can damage the materials of the car. Leaving dirt, bird droppings, etc. on the exterior of the car deteriorates the paint. Any mud, water, trash, etc. left inside of the car damages the upholstery, carpets, etc. As a bonus, if you you leave it nice and clean that means when you come to pick it up you want need to worry about tidying it up.

3. Change The Oil 

If you’ll be storing the car for a month or longer, you’ll definitely need to change the oil. Contaminants that are left to sit can actually damage the engine which is an extremely expensive part to replace in a car. By changing the oil you avoid any potential mishaps!

4. Fill Up 

If you leave the tank even a little bit empty it invites moisture to accumulate inside of the fuel tank. On the other end of the spectrum, it can actually cause the seals to dry out. Either of these can become issues after just thirty days! It is recommended by most mechanics to also use a fuel stabilizers to prevent any build up that could damage the engine.

5. Check The Tire Pressure

If you leave too much or too little air in the tire, it can lead to damaging the tires. Basically, all of the weight is left on the tires for longer than usual, so this can lead to flat sports. By having the right tire pressure you can help prevent this problem from developing, so be sure to check the pressure of the tires before storing it away to avoid any problems.

6. Cover It Up 

If you are storing a car outdoors, it is imperative to cover it up with tarp or a car cover. This will help protect it from the elements that can cause damage to the exterior of the car. Ideally you really want to store the car under cover, and all public storage facilities do actually provide a cover of some sorts for vehicles stored in them.

7. Get A Car Sitter 

Having someone to come drive the car every couple of weeks, or even once a month, can make a huge difference. This will allow the car to stretch it legs to  keep everything moving at optimal performance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Infographic courtesy of NextDoorSelfStorage.com.