Car Storage Tips

If you’re storing your car, either just for winter protection or because it’s a classic that you don’t drive often, there are several things you should keep in mind, especially if you’re storing it somewhere other than your property. Storing a car yourself doesn’t require as much consideration and if you’re going that route, you can skip to the tips at the bottom of the page about preparing your vehicle for storage. If, however, you’ll be storing your car at a storage facility, you’ll want to read the full article and consider the tips mentioned for the best storage options.

Proximity

Price and reputation are things you will probably automatically consider when choosing a facility to store your car, but there are some other important elements you should keep in mind too. One of them is proximity to where you live. Even if you won’t be taking your car in and out of facility regularly, you’ll still want it located somewhere that is easy to get to and preferably close to where you live. Even if it costs a little more to store your car locally, all other things being equal, you’ll be glad you did when it’s time to take it out of storage and get back on the road.

Accessibility

Something that goes right along with proximity is accessibility. You may not need to pull your car out of the facility at midnight on a Saturday, but keep in mind when you might need access to it—and not just for driving. If a facility is only open Monday through Friday until 5 p.m. and you forget something in the car that you need, that can be a problem. If their hours coincide with your work hours, that can also present a challenge when you want to get it out of storage. This isn’t something a lot of people think about, but it should be considered so that you don’t encounter any hurdles when you’re ready to pick up your car.

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Security

Another important thing to think about when storing a car is the security of where it will be stored. It’s all the more important if you’re storing a luxury or classic car for an extended period. Any qualified storage facility should be able to explain all their security checks and they should be thorough enough to give you peace of mind that you can trust them with your car. Most storage facilities are passcode-protected with a secured gate, but some of them also provide overnight security surveillance and alarm systems, which is certainly an option you’ll want if you’re at all concerned about theft or damage.

Preparing Your Vehicle for Safe-Keeping

There are a few minor preparations you should make before putting your car in storage, whether it’s a facility or in your own garage. The first is to top off the fuel tank, particularly if it will be sitting idle for a long time. This is to prevent rust and oxidation from inside the fuel tank when the fuel gets “stale.’ An oil change is also recommended so that there are no loose particles in it as your car is stored. And finally, you’ll want to keep a buffer between the wheels of your car and the concrete so that the tires don’t get sticky on the cement, and so that there is some protection against oil and other spills that are common in garages and vehicle storage areas.