You've invested, nurtured and rebuilt. Now it’s time to store your classic car and as you might know already, leaving a classic car unused can do more damage than running it through unfriendly terrain. Investing in quality storage is a reasonable way to protect your classic automobile from the sun, the snow, dirt, vermin and all the other elements just waiting to take their toll on your pride and joy. To help our classic car owner friends, we’ve put together a list helpful tips. Tips that will insure the safety and well being of your car for many more years to come. If these tips are helpful, join us on Facebook, LIKE and engage with other like-minded folks from across the country. Enjoy! Before Storing ☐ Draining out the fuel before storing the vehicle will expose the metal to air and moisture, which in turn will cause rust, corrosion and other forsaken damages. Fill the tank with fresh gas, preferably premium. Also add fuel stabilizer and run the vehicle to allow the stabilizer to move into the carburetor, the injectors, etc. Typically you need to add one ounce of stabilizer for every three to five gallons of gas, but we’d recommend checking the stabilizer label to be sure. In the case of diesel engines, after filling the tank to the top, add a diesel fuel biocide. It will help prevent microorganisms from growing in the tank. ☐ Change the oil and filter. Dirty oil can thicken after a while and make it difficult to start the car. ☐ If the transmission/transaxle fluid is more than two years old (or has more than 35,000 miles), change it. ☐ Flush the brake fluid. On non-ABS older vehicles, install DOT 5 silicone brake fluid. ☐ Disconnect the battery, or it will gradually lose its charges if not used regularly. If storing for longer than one year, remove the battery entirely. ☐ Add air to the tires. ☐ Lubricate hood latches and door locks. ☐ Give the vehicle a good wash and wax job. While in Storage ☐ Make sure that your car is stored in a dry location and never in direct sunlight. Concrete flooring is best at keeping moisture at bay. ☐ Put a plastic bag over the carburetor to keep it dry. ☐ Place a sealed box of baking soda in the interior of the car and the trunk area, to absorb moisture and reduce the chances of mold and mildew. ☐ Keep insects at bay by closing all the windows and placing a plastic bag over the exhaust pipe(s). ☐ Put tire jacks under the tires. Doing that will take the weight off the tires. ☐ Use a car cover preferably made from cotton flannel fabric, which will allow for proper air circulation. Beware of polyester/cotton blends and plastic covers, as they trap heat and moisture and don’t allow for proper air circulation. Find a location near you - today and call us to learn more about climate-controlled units, which are the best options for your vintage car. ☐ If storing offsite long term, check with your insurance company, see if they need the address of where the car will be located. The best thing you can possibly for your stored car is to visit it every month and take it for a quick drive. Taking it for a short drive will bring the engine to full operating temperature. Shout out on our Facebook page for more. Vroom, vroom, US Storage Centers
