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Organization & Storage Tips | Simply Self Storage Blog

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November 16, 2016
by Admin 1 Comment

11 Pro Tips for Storing Your Car

If you are planning on storing your car for more than a few weeks, then it’s important to do it right. Follow these 11 tips for success:

Step One – Wash and Wax
Washing your car before storing it will ensure that there are no harmful substances on the car that might cause rust or damage over time. For instance, if your auto has bird drippings or road salt on it, then these can damage the paint job.

Image result for hand washing car

Step Two – Change Oil & Filter
Changing the oil and filter ensures that your engine will not sit for months filled with contaminated oil.

Image result for change car oil filter hand

Step Three – Test the Anti-Freeze
Have anti-freeze tested to make sure it will hold to the coldest temperature expected for the duration of the storage.

Image result for antifreeze pouring into radiator

Step Four – Fill the Fuel Tank
This helps prevent condensation inside the fuel tank. One of the most damaging things that often happens to stored automobiles is condensation inside the fuel tank. Once this occurs, you must have it removed and cleaned before starting your car. It is also advised that owners add a fuel stabilizer to the gas tank. Be sure to add this when you are filling the tank and then drive the car for a few miles to make sure the fuel and stabilizer are well mixed.

Image result for hand filling gas tank car

Step Five – Place Car on Jack Stands
This step serves to take the weight off your tires. This is recommended for long term auto storage. With the car up on jack stands, your tires will receive no wear and tear even if the car is stored for a year or more. Be sure your tires are correctly inflated!

Image result for car on jack stands

Step Six – Disconnect the Battery Negative Lead
This will prevent any type of electrical short and also save your battery from going dead. Eventually, over long periods the battery will drain but a battery maintainer can be utilized to keep it charged.

Image result for hand disconnect negative battery lead

Step Seven – Car Cover
A good quality car cover will keep dust, moisture and other pollutants away from your car’s interior and exterior.

Image result for car with car cover

Step Eight – Stuff Aluminum into Air Intake and Exhaust
This is done in order to prevent rodents or small animals from nesting in these locations. Be sure to put a note on your dashboard to remove the aluminum foil before starting the car again.

Image result for balled up tin foil

Step Nine – Remove Windshield Wiper Blades
This is done so that the rubber doesn’t stick to your windshield. You can also place a piece of plastic between the rubber wiper blades and the glass.

Image result for hand removing wiper blades

Step Ten – Remove Spark Plugs
If storing an auto for more than a year, it is recommended that you remove the spark plugs. Spray the cylinders with some oil to prevent rust. A special fogging oil that is used to store boats works well for this.

Image result for hand removing spark plugs from car engine

Step Eleven – Release the Parking Break
If the parking brake is left on, your brake pads can stick to the rotors.

Image result for hand releasing car parking brake

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Filed Under: Self Storage Tips, Vehicles

About Admin

Written by Simply Self Storage staff. With over 20 combined years in the storage industry, our staff are experts on organization, storage and decluttering tips for your home. We are here to help you Simplify Your Life and Maximize Your Space.

Comments

  1. Taylor Wright says

    November 18, 2019 at 2:54 pm

    I love that you talked about how disconnecting the negative lead can help save your battery from going dead. My dad needs to store away his 1968 El Camino and wants the best place to do it. I’ll be sure to pass along this article so he can feel more at ease storing his car.

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