Best Practices for Storing Your Vehicle

—
November 13th, 2024

When it comes to storing your vehicle, you can take a few essential steps to ensure it remains in optimal condition. Whether you’re planning to store a car for only the winter months or for an extended period, it’s crucial to prepare the vehicle properly. From protecting the battery to covering the exterior, following best practices will help prevent damage and ensure your vehicle is ready to hit the road again when you need it.

At Fill-It Self Storage, we understand the importance of keeping your vehicle safe while in storage. Our facility offers secure, gated access with 24/7 surveillance, so you can have peace of mind knowing your car is well-protected. With our clean, well-maintained units, you can store your vehicle confidently, whether it’s for a single month, a few months, or much longer. Our team is here to answer any questions and provide guidance on how to store your car properly.

How Should You Prepare Your Vehicle for Storage?

When you’re getting ready to bring your car into storage, taking care of a few essential steps can ensure it is easier to maintain in the long run. We strongly recommend you clean the interior and exterior to prevent damage. For example, anything wet, sticky, or compostable may result in serious staining or damage that will require replacement or repair. Take care to vacuum the interiors, spot clean where necessary, and wash the exterior.

We also encourage you to completely change out any fluids, such as the engine oil and coolant, to avoid contamination, coagulation, corrosion, or other damage. Adding a fuel stabilizer to your gas tank may also help. You should also check the tire pressure before storing your car, as overfilling the air, replacing the tires, or similar steps can prevent flat spots. These recommendations will help ensure you can grab and use your vehicle anytime, minimizing additional prep work and mitigating inconvenience.

How Can You Protect Your Vehicle’s Battery in Storage?

If you’re storing your vehicle for an extended period, we encourage you to disconnect the battery. This will prevent the battery from losing charge or breaking down over time due to the vehicle’s disuse. If you aren’t storing for a long time, check your battery’s health and use a trickle charger or battery maintainer. You should also turn off the car to avoid draining the battery, as is more likely when electronics are left running.

What Are the Best Ways to Safeguard the Exterior During Vehicle Storage?

To protect the exterior of your car, we have a few recommendations that will keep paint from chipping and reduce the risk of metal rusting or eroding over time. In particular, we encourage you to use a high-quality car cover. The cover will minimize dust buildup and provide protection from the elements outdoors. You can also wax your car to add an additional layer of protection between the elements and your vehicle.

Additional Precautions and Safety Measures to Practice When Storing Your Car

There are a few more safety precautions you can take when storing your car, and we especially recommend considering these suggestions when you plan on storing a vehicle long-term. The following are additional helpful steps you can take:

Keep your car insured
Disengage the parking brake
Clean out your trunk
Remove personal belongings you may want or need
Jack up the car to relieve pressure on the tires
Leave the handbrake off
Plug the tailpipe
Wrap up the wiper blades
Close all windows, vents, and doors to prevent theft
Consider leaving windows open a tiny crack if storing indoors to prevent trapped air from getting stale, growing mildew or mold, or musty smells

While following best practices before storing your car may feel pointless or cumbersome, taking these precautions can help ensure you have a fully functioning vehicle when you return to pick it up. If you need any additional recommendations for carefully storing your belongings, you’re welcome to ask our friendly staff for their suggestions.

Why Choose Fill-It Self Storage for Your Vehicle?

At Fill-It Self Storage, we provide the ideal environment to keep your vehicle safe and secure for the long term. Our facility is equipped with gated access and 24/7 surveillance, offering peace of mind for all vehicle owners.

We maintain clean, spacious units that can accommodate a wide range of vehicle sizes, ensuring protection from both the elements and potential damage. With our commitment to customer service and security, we’re here to help you store your car with confidence. For more information, call us at (413) 729-3267 or fill out our contact form.