Long Term Car Storage Tips

If you’re not just a casual car owner, but someone who keeps their vehicle for many years, then you know the importance of keeping it stored in the best condition possible. Whether you’re worried about rust or want to make sure your vehicle stays in good shape for resale or trade-in value, there are a few steps that can be taken.

Car Storage Tips For The Long Term

Prep your vehicle for storage.

As with any long-term storage plan, the first thing you should do is make sure your vehicle is in good working order. You want to check the battery, tires, oil and coolant before storing it for an extended period of time.

• Check the battery – Make sure that your car’s battery is in good condition and has at least 80% charge left on it. Some batteries may require more frequent charging during cold weather, so check with your mechanic if this is necessary for your particular car.2) Check tire pressure – If you have tires that must be inflated to a certain level when they are new but don’t remember what they were set at previously (or if they have never been checked), check them now! Tires lose air over time just like people lose weight as their clothes get older and looser—but unlike people who can fix their clothes by putting them into a washer/dryer cycle or simply replacing them altogether (and then going out shopping again), fixing tires isn’t quite as easy: unless there’s an auto mechanic nearby willing to help out every couple weeks while they’re sitting there waiting…

Give your car a good cleaning before storing it for the winter.

Before storing your car for the winter, it’s important to give it a good cleaning. Wash the car with water and soap, and then dry off any excess water with a towel. Clean all the windows inside and out with glass cleaner, including both sides of each window. Clean headlights and taillights with an ammonia-free cleaner or soapy water on a soft cloth. Remove any stickers or decals from windows to prevent them from cracking when they freeze over during cold winter months.

Apply a fresh coat of wax.

Waxing is the easiest way to keep your car looking good. Although you may not be able to see it, wax protects the surface of your car from damage and helps prevent water spots, oxidation and dirt from sticking to the paint. It also repels road grime so it won’t stick as easily when you rinse off at the end of a drive.

The only downside is that wax needs regular reapplication—but if you’re storing your vehicle long term, this is a small price to pay for keeping it looking new!

Cover your tires with plastic covers to prevent flat spots from forming.

Over time, the weight of your car resting on its tires will cause flat spots to form. This can lead to uneven tire wear and affect the handling of your vehicle.

The best way to avoid this is by using plastic covers that go over each wheel (or any part of the vehicle you want to protect). Plastic covers are cheap and easy to use; many models have elastic straps or hooks for easy installation and removal. You can also purchase plastic cover sets with special attachments for storing multiple vehicles at once!

Fill the gas tank and add fuel stabilizer to prevent moisture from accumulating inside the gas tank and fuel lines.

Fill the gas tank, then add fuel stabilizer to prevent moisture from accumulating inside the gas tank and fuel lines. If you don’t have a cell phone when you are traveling, consider purchasing one before leaving so that you can call for help if needed.

Change the oil to avoid corrosion caused by condensation settling on the engine parts during storage.

Change the oil to avoid corrosion caused by condensation settling on the engine parts during storage.

It is important that you change the oil in your vehicle every 3,000 miles or so. This is because water can get into your engine, causing corrosion that can cause problems when you try to start it. If there is any rust on your car’s metal parts, this could cause them not to work anymore and cost you a lot of money if they need replacing or repairing. You should also check all hoses and belts while changing your oil as these may have deteriorated over time too!

These tips will help ensure that you can enjoy driving your car when you take it out of its long-term parking spot.

• Make sure you have a good set of tires. This is one of the most important aspects to consider when storing a car for long periods. You want to make sure your tires are in good shape, and that they are not cracked or worn out. If this is the case, then it may be time for new ones!
• Have your car checked over by a mechanic. This will help ensure that everything under the hood is working properly and safely so that you can drive without worrying about unexpected problems cropping up on the road (or, in other words, having an accident).
• Make sure your battery is in good shape and does not need replacing if at all possible as well before storing it away for quite some time; this will save money down the road when it comes time to start using again because replacement batteries can get pretty pricey depending on how much power they need!

Hopefully, these tips have helped you feel more prepared to store your car for the winter. Just remember that with a little prep work and some good maintenance, you can make sure that your vehicle is ready for storage when it’s time.