Whether you’re a car collector, taking a job overseas, or just want to prevent winter damage, there are a lot of reasons why one might need to store their vehicles for an extended period of time. But before you do so, you need to do a few things to get your car ready. Understanding how to prepare your car for storage is beneficial as it will help protect your car and make sure that it’s in great shape when you’re ready to take it out of storage.
So, if you’re planning to store your car for a couple of months, here’s what you should do.
Before storing your vehicle, you have to make sure that your engine and fluids are in good shape. Otherwise, your car might not be able to start when you’re ready to use it again.
Old oil tends to become acidic and may eat away the inside of your engine. Fresh oil breaks down more slowly. By changing your car’s fluid, you can be sure that your engine will remain in good condition throughout the storage period.
Protecting the vehicle from outside element is of utmost importance. Therefore, location is the first thing that you should consider when looking for a place to store your vehicle.
Ideally, you want to store the car in an indoor facility that is dry, clean, secure and has electricity. Additionally, choose a place that is dark and dry so as to prevent corrosion, rust and sun damage.
Most car owners tend to overlook this detail when preparing their vehicle for storage. Mind you, a clean car is more likely to come out of storage in the same condition as compared to filthy cars.
Clean your vehicle thoroughly both inside and out. If you don’t, any dirt or contaminants that were left on the vehicle will corrode the paint and start forming rust.
Also, don’t forget to get the interior of your car in great shape. Vacuum the seats and floor mats to prevent damage. Wash the inside of your windows too.