Everything You Need to Know About Preparing Your Vehicle for Long-Term Storage
Perhaps you are a member of the military who is about to be deployed for a few months, or you are leaving for a job in a different country. Or maybe you are just going on a long vacation to relax a bit.
Whatever your reason is for being away from your vehicle, you'll need to store it properly in order to minimize the risk of any unforeseen problems. If you don't, you might come back to an unpleasant surprise, such as a dead battery or broken window - or no car at all.
Since we know that not everyone is an automobile expert, we decided to help by gathering some of the best car storage tips so that you can keep your vehicle safe and sound while you are not using it. Let's get started.
Where to Park
There's no denying that one of the best places to store a car - be it long term or short term - is the garage. Not only will it protect your vehicle from the elements, but it will also keep its temperature relatively stable.
If you don't have a garage but have some space on your property, you might consider building a detached garage. Depending on your preferences and needs (e.g., how many vehicles you have), the cost of such an addition can vary greatly. For example, a simple garage that accommodates only one vehicle costs around $7.500 while a luxurious garage with several stories can cost up to $50.000.
Some of the things that determine how much the garage will cost you include:
the size, including how many stories you want it to have
the materials used
the garage door - for instance, choosing a custom-sized door instead of one of the standard garage door sizes will increase the cost
the construction company you hire
Unfortunately, not everyone has the luxury of owning a garage or being able to build one. However, that doesn't mean that all is lost. In many cities, you have the option to rent a spot in a public storage facility. They are usually reasonably priced, and they don't involve any long-term commitment.
If none of those options work for you, there's one more thing you can do - you can keep it outside, with a weatherproof cover on top of it. Just keep in mind to park it in the open, away from any trees.
Keep It Clean
You may think that because you will keep your car hidden for a few months, cleaning it is unnecessary. However, if, for instance, there are some water stains or bird droppings on it, they may damage the paint if you don’t take care of them. That’s why, if you have a few minutes to spare, it wouldn't hurt to give your vehicle a thorough cleaning.
Remember to also take care of the wheels and undersides of the fenders by removing any grease, tart, or mud that might be stuck in there. Additionally, if you want to give your car a bit more protection, you can give it a coat of wax.
Keep It Charged
An unused car battery will, at one point or another, lose its charge. A good idea to get someone to start your car every two to three weeks and drive it for more or less 15 minutes when you’re away. Doing that will:
allow your car to 'stretch its legs'
maintain the battery charge
keep the engine and other components lubricated
If you can't find anyone to do it for you, there are two other options to choose from. The first one is to disconnect the battery - or rather its negative cable. However, be aware that you might lose some settings, such as time or stereo presets.
If you want to keep those settings and make sure the battery will start without problems once you return, you should purchase a battery tender, or as some call it, a trickle charger.
When it comes to this device, you hook one of its ends to the battery while the other goes into a wall outlet. Battery tender delivers enough electrical power to prevent the battery from discharging. Before you send your car for storage, make sure that you change the battery of your vehicle. If you own a Toyota Corolla, choose the correct battery that is the right fit for your car model.
Keep the Unwanted Guests Away
As we’ve already mentioned, the garage is the best place to store your car long-term, as it will keep it dry and warm. However, those two things can also attract rodents. There are plenty of spots in your car in which the critters might hide, just as there are several things for them to chew on.
In order to avoid an unpleasant surprise when you come back, try to cover all the gaps through which a mouse could enter, like the air intake or the exhaust pipe. Spread cotton swabs or mothballs dipped in peppermint oil around the vehicle, as this specific smell is said to drive mice away.
If you want to go even further, you can lay down some rat poison, as well as a few mouse traps. However, make sure that someone is able to check your garage every once in a while, just in case there are any 'victims.' Otherwise, the mothball will be the least of your problems when it comes to unpleasant smells.
General Maintenance Before You Store Your Vehicle
Here are some of the things that are part of the general maintenance that you might want to perform before leaving your car for an extended period of time.
Fill the Tank Up With Fuel
Filling your tank with diesel or petrol before storing your car long-term will limit the condensation in the fuel tank. It will also prevent rusting and keep the seals from drying out.
A good idea is also to add a fuel preservative to keep the gasoline relatively fresh during the period of unuse, and a stabilizer, which will protect the engine from varnish, rust, and gum. It will also prevent ethanol from building up.
Add Antifreeze
It’s an important step if you are going to store your car during the winter months. Antifreeze helps regulate your car's engine during extreme temperatures, and it prevents the radiator from freezing in cold weather and overheating during hot weather.
If you don't know how to do it, here is a quick instruction:
make sure that the engine is cool, as hot antifreeze may lead to severe scaling
locate the coolant reservoir - usually, it has a translucent white color and a hose that connects it to the radiator
loosen the cap of the reservoir a bit so that the pressure can be released
remove the cap completely
add either the diluted coolant (the correct ones should be mentioned in the manual) or a 50/50 mixture of distilled water and concentrated coolant
once the antifreeze reaches the 'cold' fill line, put the cap back in its place and tighten it until you hear a clicking sound
run the engine for a few minutes so that it can get circulated
Check the Oil
Letting the old oil sit in the engine for too long can damage it severely, as it may contain contaminants that negatively affect the motor. Consider getting the oil changed - and while you're at it, you might also want to replace the air filters. Just make sure the one you are going to use is compatible with your vehicle - information about it should be included in your car's manual.
Check the Tires
When preparing your car for long-term storage, you need to ensure that the pressure in each tire is correct. The best idea is to raise the tires from the ground (if you have the option to), w. When a vehicle is left standing for too long, the tires might develop flat spots as the car's weight presses down on their footprints.
The Bottom Line
No matter what reason you have for leaving your vehicle stationary for an extended period of time, one thing is for sure - it needs to be stored properly. The things mentioned above will help you with that.
However, before we finish, there's one more thing that needs addressing - your car's insurance. Now, you might be tempted to cancel it, since you won't be using it for a while.
Although it might seem like a money-saving solution, the insurance company might increase the rates due to the gap - meaning it will be more costly in the long run. Not every insurance company practices this, so check with yours to determine what options are available for you.
With that being said, we have reached the end of our article. We hope that now you know how to prepare your car for long-term storage. Good luck!
