How to Prepare Your Vehicle for Self Storage

6 Steps To Prepping For Automobile Storage

Storing your baby, I mean automobile, is sometimes an unfortunate necessity. After you have chosen a self storage facility for your car, it is time to get your car ready for storage. Whether you are storing the vehicle for a week or for months, you'll need to make sure that your vehicle is in tip top shape for storage. Skipping these steps may cause your vehicle damage while it is tucked away. 

1. Check Fuel Systems- Your car needs fresh fluids before you store it away for a while. . You will want to change the oil, filter, anti-freeze, power steering fluid, transition fluid and brake fluid. Change all of these one to three weeks before storage for optimal results. 

2. Gas Tank- Your vehicles gas tank will need to be filled with high quality gas, and just sitting the gas will gradually evaporate during the time it is in storage. A full tank of gas will last up to a year if your storage facility has a temperature below 80 degrees regularly. If it is an outdoor vehicle storage facility, you may need to fill the gas about every 7-8 months. Sta-Bil or Pri-G, gasoline stabilizers, will slow down how fast the gas is used up. 

3. The Battery- I would recommend removing your battery from your vehicle when you drop your vehicle off at the automobile storage facility. Extensive damage can be to your car if battery acid escapes, and can be a very expensive problem to deal with. If you are not that worried about it, you should still disconnect it. 

4. Tires- Check your tires air pressure, and inflate them to the perfect air pressure. To help stop moisture from degenerating your tires you can consider covering the tires with plastic. Large black trash bags work great for covering tires, but they make plastic covers for tires if you want to invest in them. The plastic covers will easily slip on. Big black trash bags you will need to manhandle somewhat, and you will need a lot of duct tape to make it work.  

5. Breaks- Before you store your vehicle, make sure to disengage the parking break. THIS STEP IS VERY IMPORTANT! Your breaks can get really messed up if your parking break is on the whole time. If you have a manual transmission, the gears should be in neutral. 

6. Paperwork- Everyone's least favorite part!  Insurance and registration will both need to be adjusted according to your state's regulations. Check with your insurance company and your state's DMV for specific instructions.

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AUTOMOBILE STORAGE

Car Storage

People seek automotive storage solutions for many different reasons. Some have collector’s vehicles and don’t want their special vehicle kept outside where it will be exposed to the everyday elements. Some have too many vehicles in their driveway and need to free up some room. Some may have a vehicle that they only drive during the warmer months and won’t drive during the cooler months.

Whatever the case may be when it comes time to store your vehicle there are basically three ways in which you can. The type of vehicle storage that will be right for you will all depend on how nice your vehicle is and how much money you want to spend. The three levels of vehicle storage are:

1. Climate Controlled: This is the nicest way to store your vehicle and also the most costly. That is because the vehicle will be fully enclosed and the storage unit in which it will be in will be a steady temperature. So your vehicle will be protected from cold, heat, and most importantly moisture.

2. Non Climate Controlled: Running a little cheaper is non climate controlled storage for your vehicle. While the vehicle will be fully enclosed it will not be protected from the hot or cold and many times being inside environment can amplify the overall temperature. This can lead to a buildup of moisture which can prove to be harmful to your vehicle. If you choose to store in a non climate controlled unit, be sure to park the vehicle over plastic sheeting. This will keep and moisture that seeps into the concrete from effecting the underside of the vehicle. You can also use moisture absorbing materials for the front and rear floorboards so that your vehicle won’t smell musty once you take it out of storage.

3. Outside Storage: This is the cheapest level of automotive storage but also exposed your vehicle to all the elements. Rain, sun, snow, you name it. If this is the direction you are heading with storage, then you should invest in a high quality breathable vehicle cover.

No matter how you choose to store your vehicle you need to be sure to prepare it properly. Here a few things to consider doing before you store your vehicle:

• Gas Up: Fill the gas tank and then add some fuel stabilizer if the vehicle will be stored for an extended period of time. This will keep any old gasoline from gunking up and causing havoc on internal parts leaving you with one hefty repair bill. While some will say to drain the fuel tank, this will still leave you with moisture, and moisture is not your vehicle’s friend.

• Check Fluids: You should also be sure to check all the fluid levels of the vehicle and change the oil. This will have your vehicle full of vital fluids and ensure that moisture has nowhere to form.

• Remove Battery: Once your vehicle is parked in storage it is a good idea to remove the battery and store it separately. Be sure it is being stored in a climate controlled environment.

Once you decide on how you want to store your vehicle the last step in the process is finding a place to do so. Be sure to call several car storage facilities and get prices while you are on the phone. Because you are storing a vehicle be sure that the storage facility is in a location that is not prone to a lot of crime.

Storing your vehicle is something that you may at one point find yourself having to do. Knowing what to look for and how to prepare for the storage can help the entire process go along at a very smooth pace.