Car Storage Mistakes To Avoid

Storing your car for more than a few weeks means you need to provide a bit more preparation and care so that it doesn't suffer any damage in storage. The following are a few mistakes to avoid when storing your car.

#1: Leaving it exposed to destructive conditions

It's easy for damage to occur and worsen when you aren't getting into your car and driving daily. The most obvious problem is from the weather – wind, rain, and ice can damage paint and lead to body damage. Covering your vehicle with a tarp provides some protection, but it's even better to park it in a garage or a car storage facility. Tarps can backfire by trapping moisture against the car, which can then lead to paint oxidation or rust on metal parts. No matter what storage option you choose, check on the car regularly to ensure it is not being damaged.

#2: Not prepping the engine components

Not driving a car can also lead to internal damage. The most obvious danger is that the battery will likely lose its charge permanently if it is never used. Your options are to hook it up to a trickle charger, available at parts stores, or to start and run the vehicle for a few minutes every couple of weeks. Engine fluids are another concern, since these can settle. Starting the car and running it at regular intervals can remedy this problem, although you should also add a stabilizer to certain fluids, like gasoline. If you can't make regular visits to the car, another option is to drain the fluids and lubricate all seals. You will need to check the seals and add fluids before you can drive the car again, though.

#3: Ignoring your tires

Tires sitting in one position for a long time results in all the weight of the car being placed on a single small area of the tires. This can lead to a permanent flat spot on the tires, which will render them useless once you take the car out of storage. If you are able to start and run the car every couple of weeks, consider driving it around the block to prevent this issue. Also, inflate the tires completely before storage. If you won't be able to drive the vehicle periodically, then a better choice is to remove the tires and store the car on blocks. Unless, of course, you have old tires on the car that you plan to replace after storage anyway.

For more help, contact a car storage facility like Ship Creek Storage.