Long Term Car Storage: Tips For Protecting Your Car From Damage

Are you considering the use of a storage unit to house your vehicle while away on vacation or during the cold winter months, but are worried about potential damage to your vehicle as a result of long term storage? If so, you should know that it is possible to greatly reduce the risk that your vehicle will be damaged by taking the time to properly prepare your vehicle before placing it into storage. The tips outlined below can help you to accomplish this goal.

Tip #1: Always Change Your Oil Before Placing Your Vehicle Into Storage

Each time your motor oil circulates through your engine, this oil will pick up small particles of dirt and debris. While this debris will typically take several months to build up to a point where it can damage your engine, this may not be the case when placing your vehicle into long term storage. This is because when your vehicle is in storage, your motor oil will no longer be circulated on a frequent basis. Consequently, any debris in your oil will have the opportunity to eat away at the metal surfaces inside your engine. Changing your oil right before placing your vehicle into storage will eliminate this debris and the risk of damage that comes along with it.

Tip #2: Use Wheel Stoppers Rather Than Brakes To Immobilize Your Vehicle

Obviously, you don't want your vehicle rolling away when you place it into storage. However, leaving your brakes engaged for a long period of time can leave permanent indentations on your wheels that will result in the need for a new set of tires once your vehicle is removed from storage. Thankfully, there is an easy way to prevent this type of damage while still ensuring that your vehicle remains immobilized.

When parking your vehicle in the space where it will be stored, temporarily engage your brakes just as you would when parking normally. Once your vehicle is safely immobilized, place wheel stoppers in front of and behind each wheel. With the wheel stoppers in place, disengage the brake and put your vehicle into neutral. Just remember to put your vehicle back in park before removing the wheel stoppers or you could find yourself dealing with a runaway vehicle when you go to remove the vehicle from storage.

Tip #3: Wash And Wax Your Car Before Storing For Several Weeks Or Longer

Dirt and debris on the exterior of your vehicle can eat away at your auto paint over time. This is especially true of debris with high acid content, such as bird droppings. In order to ensure your vehicle is protected from this type of damage during its time in storage, it is important to wash and wax your vehicle directly before placing it into the storage area.

If you will be storing your vehicle in an outdoor storage area, you will also want to invest in a high quality car cover to prevent any more debris from landing on the vehicle while it is being stored.

In Conclusion

Self storage facilities can provide a safe and convenient place for you to store your vehicle for a few weeks or even a few months. However, if you do not want to return to find that your vehicle has been damaged, it is extremely important that you take the time to properly prepare your vehicle before placing it into long term storage. For more information on how you can prevent damage to your vehicle, be sure to consult your local storage facility, one like Epic Group Inc, as well as your mechanic.