Whatever the reason may be for storing a car... preventing any potential winter damage, a temporary living situation, long trip or military deployment... you want to make sure that it's safe and sound and properly stored. Hundreds of our storage units can be easily accessible, but if you don't want to leave anything up to chance, it will be best to follow the storing tips below. For more, please 'LIKE' our Facebook page. #1. Clean It Up. Both the interior and exterior of the car. The cleaner your car is, the better it will handle the storage time. Vacuum, wipe... Following these steps will help prevent mold and mildew from affecting your interior. Wash and (ideally) wax the exterior, and don't leave out any chrome surfaces. #2. If you'll be storing the vehicle for more than 30 days, you should consider changing the oil and filter. Aside from the oil, think of all the fluids. Anti freeze, power steering fluid, brake fluid, etc - they should all be changed before placing in storage. #3. Top off the Tank. Condensation in the tank is a common problem in stored vehicles, so to avoid any space where water can accumulate, fill the tank completely with Premium non-alcohol fuel. To avoid any possible concerns, add a gasoline stabilizer, which is available for lawn mowers and other seasonal yard equipment. It will slow down any gas deterioration. #4. Inflate the tires to their proper pressure. If you're storing the automobile for the winter in a cold climate, check the manual for the proper pressure levels. #5. If stored indoors, open a window slightly. Very slightly, not enough to allow any small animals wiggling inside. If you have a convertible, put the top up. Some folk encourage using strong-smelling chemicals like mothballs to keep any critters away, but these can leave a smell in the car so be aware of that. #6. To prevent the rubber from sticking to the glass, place a piece of plastic wrap on the windshield underneath the wiper blades. #7. If you don't want to disconnect the battery or remove it completely from the vehicle, hook it up to a battery maintainer. These are battery chargers that only turn on periodically. Make sure to contact the car's manufacturer though, to ensure that connecting to a battery maintainer won't mess with any of the on-board computers. #8. Don't Use the Parking Brake. The brake pads can stick to the rotors if the brake is left on. Instead of engaging the brake, to prevent the car from moving, you can use a tire stopper, also called a chock. #9. Lock the doors. #10. As tempting as it sounds, canceling your auto insurance during the time your vehicle is in storage, might pose a problem. Sure it can save some precious coin, but it's possible for the insurance company to raise your rates due to the gap in coverage and that could ultimately cost you more on the long run. The insurance regulations for inactive vehicles vary from state to state, so make sure you call your insurance company and find out. #11. Think of the Registration. You may want to check with your local DMV and find out if you need to file an Affidavit of Non use or other required paperwork. Join our Facebook community for more tips and ideas :) Yours in storage, US Storage Centers
