Photo Credit: smerikal
When it comes time to store your summer vehicles away for the fall and winter months, you’ll need to make sure you store them properly so they stay in the best possible condition. If you simply store away your car without taking any necessary precautions you could come back to a dead battery, or something much worse.
The steps below will help to ensure your car remains in optimal condition until it’s time to remove your car from Woodbridge storage once more.
1. Wash The Inside And Out
Any stains that get left on the vehicle can end up leaving stains or doing other long-term damage. As a precaution you should wash your car, so there won’t be any long-term damage to the paint.
Also, make sure you wash the rims, underside and interior of the car as well.
2. Change The Oil
If you’re only storing your vehicle short-term then you could probably get away with not changing the oil. However, if you’re storing the vehicle for longer than 30 days, then getting your oil changed is an absolute necessity.
Some used engine oils contain contaminants, which can end up doing long-term damage to your engine.
3. Fill Up The Tank
Filling up your gas tank helps to prevent any excess moisture from accumulating inside the tank, and also prevents the seals from drying out. You can also use a fuel stabilizer which will help prevent the buildup of ethanol, and protect the engine from, rust and varnish.
4. Charge The Battery
If you leave your battery unattended it will eventually lose the charge. There are a few different options you have available at your disposal if you’re trying to keep the battery charged up.
The first is to take the car out of storage every few weeks for a little 15 minute drive. This will help to make sure the battery stays charged and it will also ensure the other elements of the engine stay lubricated.
The second option is to disconnect the negative side of the battery cable, which will cause certain technological components of your car to reset, namely, the clock and radio.
The third option is to purchase a trickle charger, which plugs into the wall and gives your battery just enough of a charge to keep it from draining.
5. Avoid Flat Spots
Make sure that your tires are inflated to the optimum pressure. If your tires are too low they could develop flat spots. This is more likely to occur if you’re in colder climates, or have lower profile tires.
This can be remedied by taking the car out for a drive every once in a while. Or, for longer Woodbridge car storage circumstances you could actually remove the tires and store your vehicle on jack stands.
6. Watch Out For Squirrels
Lastly, you’ll want to do what you can to prevent squirrels and other critters from taking up refuge inside of your vehicle. Since, your car is going to be stored in a nice warm and dry environment, there are little animals that are looking for that exact same kind of environment.
The best way to keep your car safe is by stuffing steel wool into any openings, such as, the tailpipe.
By following the steps above you’ll ensure your car remains in great condition even after sitting in storage for months on end.
If you’re interested in storing your summer vehicles then get in touch with Gateway Storage today. We love to serve our customers and veterans across Alexandria, Woodbridge, and Springfield counties, as well as most of Northern Virginia