Long-Term Car Storage: How to Keep Your Vehicle in Top Shape
Be it a vintage automobile or one with a recently manufactured engine, the family vehicle requires preparation before it can be put away for a long stretch of time. That might mean a few months or even years. What you do or fail to do during the period of prep, all but guarantees (barring some say, "acts of God") that the car will either be in the same or better condition when you pull it back out for regular service.
Wash and Polish Your Car Clean with a Two-Bucket Method Using Car Soap and Water. The First Bucket Is for Soap and Water, and the Second Is for Rinsing the Mitt (Or Cloth). Grime, Dirt, and Road Salt Can Damage the Car's Paint Over Time. When You Reach the Undercarriage, Make Sure to Use a Mitt or Cloth on a Wand for Better Reach and to Protect Your Hands (the Undercarriage Can Get Really Dirty, and Fumbling Around in That Space Is No Fun).
Replace Oil and Fluids: If your vehicle has been sitting, its oil may have started to break down and could cause corrosion in the engine. Change the oil and the filter and then make sure all the other fluids in the vehicle are topped off—coolant, brake fluid, etc. Stabilize your gasoline; don't let it go bad in the tank.
Safeguard the Battery: For extended periods of storage, either detach the battery or utilize a trickle charger to keep it energized. An inactive battery can succumb to sulfation, significantly curtailing its longevity.
Inflate the Tires: Stationary cars can develop flat spots on their tires. To counter this, keep your tires inflated to the manufacturer-recommended pressure. If you're planning to store your car for several months, consider using jack stands to relieve the tires of some amount of pressure that they would otherwise experience both from the weight of the car and the air within the tires.
Deter Rodents and Other Pests: Mice and other pests love to make nests in vehicles. To keep them out, seal exhaust pipes and air intakes with steel wool or a cover. Don't leave any kind of food in the vehicle, and keep it as clean as possible so that no crumbs tempt your unwanted guests. Consider also placing a few mothballs in the vehicle, or spreading some rodent repellent around to keep the pests at bay.
6: Ensure It Is Properly Covered: To ensure that the car is properly covered, it is necessary to invest in a high-quality car cover that is both breathable and durable. Such a cover will keep moisture from hitting the car while also preventing any dust and debris from getting to it. Avoid using a plastic tarp. While it may seem like a good idea to use one to keep the car from getting wet, a tarp can actually do more harm than good. Plastic can trap moisture and, in addition to dust and debris, create quite a few problems for the car if it is covered with a tarp for too long.
- Evaluate at Intervals: If you can, start the vehicle every couple of weeks to ensure that oil continues to flow to all the parts that need lubrication, especially the engine. If the weather cooperates, drive the car a short distance to get it warmed up and to blow the dust that has accumulated in the exhaust system out of the system.
By following these steps, you can be confident that your vehicle will be in top shape when you need it again.