If you have decided to place a car, truck, or van into storage, it is recommended to take some necessary precautions to make sure it is kept in good shape for when you want to use it again.
Clean the Vehicle
The first and main thing you should do is thoroughly clean the vehicle. This means removing bird droppings, sand, and any other build up on the paint which can cause damage in the long run. It is also a great idea to perform a wax job on the vehicle once it is cleaned. In addition, be sure to vacuum the interior of the vehicle. Lastly, dry the vehicle well as to not leave any water drops on the paint.
Prep Your Tires
It is natural for tires to lose pressure over time when the vehicle is just sitting in one spot. Therefore, it is best to inflate the tires to the maximum allowed pressure listed on the sidewalls of your specific models. When you return to remove your vehicle from storage be sure to check the tire pressure before driving off. If you plan to store the vehicle well over 30 days, you may want to consider removing the tires and placing the vehicle on jack stands instead.
Clean Your Oil & Gas up
For long term storage some auto manufacturers recommend getting an oil change so your engine stays as clean as possible while not in use. You can even go a step further and change the oil filter before placing into storage. It is recommended that you top off the fuel tank if you plan to keep the vehicle in storage over 30 days. You should also purchase and utilize a fuel stabilizer which prevents gas deterioration.
Remove the Battery
If storing your vehicle more than a few months, it is recommended that you remove the battery. Batteries lose their charge over time and can corrode, so it is best to keep it stored out of the vehicle until you intend to drive it again.
Parking Brake
In a normal situation you may think it’s a good idea to engage the parking brake on your vehicle, but not when placing into storage. Especially if storing for over 30 days, you do not want to keep contact between your brake pads and rotors for that long. Keep your parking brake disengaged when storing your vehicle.
In conclusion, the above tips should help keep your vehicle in good condition until it’s time to be driven once again.
Image by Marc Wathieu https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcwathieu/3861780097