Preparing Your Vehicle for Long-Term Storage

Whether you have a convertible that you only drive during the summer months or you will be travelling for a long period of time without your car, sometimes you will need to store your vehicle. Large Self Storage units can easily contain your vehicle, and will provide a secure and clean environment while you are away. Before you place your car in long-term storage, there are several steps you should take to make sure your car will be in great working order when you return. Here are some ways to prepare your vehicle for storage:

Thoroughly Clean
Before you place your car in long-term storage, clean your vehicle from the inside out . Wash and wax the exterior of the car to get the paint spotless and free of debris. Detail the interior, making sure that every surface is clean and in great condition. Cleaning your car before placing it in storage will keep it in good condition for when you return.

Perform Key Maintenance
If your car will be stored for a month or longer, there are several key maintenance procedures that should be attended to. First, have the oil changed. Letting your vehicle sit with used oil can contaminate and damage the engine. Next, top off the gas in your tank so that the tank and seals will not dry out while the car is not being used.

Charge the Battery
As your vehicle sits in storage, the battery will slowly drain its power. Before you place your vehicle in storage, make sure that the battery is fully charged. If possible, have someone start the engine and drive the car every two weeks or so. This will ensure that the car battery still has a charge when you are ready to take the vehicle out of storage.   

At Pouch Self Storage , we have storage units and RV stalls that come in a variety of sizes to accommodate your vehicle for long-term storage. Call us at (888) 258-9626 to learn more about other self-storage services we provide to residents throughout Southern California.