Cars are meant to be driven, but your life circumstances may make it necessary to store your vehicle for varying amounts of time. Military deployments, lack of a garage at your home, and winter weather are just a few reasons why your best option may be to move your car off the street and into car self-storage. If you’ve found yourself in this situation, the team at Guardian Self Storage offers an array of flexible, customizable, and affordable self-storage options for cars and vehicles.
By choosing to store your vehicle at Guardian Self Storage, you’ll enjoy the peace of mind from knowing your car is protected from the elements. You also have easy access to it anytime you want to take it for a drive or just check on it. But before you move forward, we’ve outlined a few tips and best practices to help you get the most out of car self-storage. Continue reading for more and don’t hesitate to reach out to the team at Guardian Self Storage to learn more.
Change the Oil Before Storing Your Vehicle in Self Storage
Oil degrades with every mile driven, but it also shows the effects of time even if the car isn’t being driven. Old oil can become thick and gooey, limiting its ability to protect moving parts. This can lead to excess wear and premature aging of your vehicle.
Before heading to self-storage for a vehicle, get the oil and filter changed. If the car will be in storage for over three months, it should have another oil change as soon as you get it out again. This will keep your engine properly lubricated and running smoothly.
Get Your Car Tires Ready for Self Storage
Proper tire care is essential before placing your vehicle in self-storage. Check all four tires for leaks. One simple way to do so is to spray soapy water all over each tire and watch for bubbling that may indicate a leak. If you find anything, take it to the tire shop before placing your car in self-storage.
Additionally, when the car sits for months at a time, the tires can develop flat spots on the bottom. These make for a very rough ride the first time you drive it until the tires limber back up. If you won’t be able to drive the car occasionally, consider storing it on jack stands to take the weight off the tires. You should also inflate the tires to maximum pressure before storing. Check the pressure in each one before leaving storage.
Manage the Gas Tank Prior to Placing Your Vehicle into Self Storage
Unlike a fine wine but similar to oil, gasoline does not age well. In fact, The gas in your tank can degrade during long periods of storage, which can interfere with the engine’s performance. A partial tank can develop condensation as the water vapor in the air cools and mixes with the gas, making the car run poorly and possibly contributing to corrosion in the fuel system.
Before storing your car, put an appropriate fuel additive in the tank and fill it up. This will eliminate condensation and stabilize the gasoline to ensure that it will flow and burn properly when you start it back up.
Detail Your Vehicle Before Self Storage
Any vehicle sitting for long periods should be thoroughly cleaned first. Wash your car from top to bottom, paying particular attention to the frame and undercarriage. After letting it dry thoroughly, apply a coat of wax. This will turn water and dirt away from painted surfaces. You might also want to put water repellent on the glass to help it stay cleaner.
Add a Level of Self-Storage Protection with Coverings
Perhaps the greatest problem for car or vehicle self-storage is dust. And this isn’t just a cosmetic issue. Dust that accumulates on a vehicle must be cleaned off, and the washing process can sometimes scrub the dirt against the paint and create tiny scratches.
The best option is to keep that dust from accumulating in the first place. Invest in a quality car cover that’s designed just for your vehicle. This will keep dust away and have your car clean and beautiful when you’re ready to bring it back out.
Prepare Your Car for Storage By Disconnecting the Battery
Perhaps no part of your vehicle will suffer in car self-storage the way your battery will. If even the smallest light is on, it could drain and ruin your battery before you return. That can turn into an expensive and difficult fix when you come to retrieve it.
The terminals and cables could also become corroded while the car is in storage. You can avoid all of these unfavorable outcomes by disconnecting both cables from the battery. This will help preserve it for your return so that you can quickly have it ready to go again.
Contact Guardian Self Storage for Vehicle Self Storage in the Hudson Valley
If you’re looking for self storage for your car or vehicle, the team at Guardian Self Storage has your needs covered. We offer an array of self storage units across all sizes and will match you to the best, most affordable storage solution for your vehicle.
Contact us today for the best automotive self storage solutions in Hudson Valley.