You may be storing your car for many reasons. The most common reason has to be storing classic cars for the winter.
The last thing you want to see is damage to your car when you pull it out of long term storage.
Common issues include mice, rats, or other rodents attempting to make a home in the car, as well as rust or corrosion.
How to Store a Car Long Term
#1. Fill the tank.
While many would consider doing the opposite however, filling the fuel tank is the first step you want to think about taking if you are storing the car for longer than a month.
The reason for this is to prevent moisture from forming inside the fuel tank. The other reason is to ensure that the sealings in the tank do not dry up.
You can also add a fuel stabilizer additive, to ensure that the fuel does not break down for the next 12 months.
#2. Change the engine oil.
There has been a long-standing debate if you should change the engine oil before or after long-term storage.
I personally recommend changing the engine oil before long-term storage mainly because old engine oil can be tough on gaskets and other things inside the engine.
#3. Top up all of your vehicle’s fluids.
Another simple but key thing to do prior to long-term storage is to top off all the fluids in your vehicle (power steering fluid, coolant, transmission fluid, brake fluid, and engine oil).
You’ll also want to use a tool to check the freezing point so that the coolant will not freeze if you store the car in a cold garage: the coolant also protects the inside of the engine against rust, so you definitely want to make sure the coolant system has not just been filled with water.
#4. Identify the right storage location.
The best place for a car should be ventilated and dry. If you are in a colder country you will also want to have or at least a storage place that has air of temperature above the freezing point.
It would be preferable for the place to be sealed against rodents. Rodents cause huge damage to the seats and electrical components of a car.
#5. Check the paperwork.
If you won’t use your car for over six months, it’s a good idea to make sure that all the paperwork is done. You will also want to call your insurance agent to inform them that you will not be using the car. This will ensure you are protected if anything happens to the car.
If you choose not to renew your insurance, you might want to set reminders to not drive a car that is not insured when you return.
#6. Put the car on jack stands.
Tires will deform and create flat spots when sitting in the same position for an extended period of time. Those flat spots will create vibrations that you cannot get rid of after pulling the car out of storage.
Use jack stands to release the weight off the tires. If you do not have jack stands, you want to at least have the tires inflated to the correct tire pressure.
#7. Charge Battery & Remove the terminals.
Leaving a dead battery in cold weather for a long time seriously damages it. Charge the battery fully and remove the battery terminals before cold storage to prevent it from becoming dead.
Cars always draw some small amount of power off the battery when the car is not being used. If you remove the terminals, the battery will not run down, and you will avoid the need for jump-starting the car when you come back to it. You can also bring the battery into a warm area and store it inside.
#8. Use a car cover.
A car cover keeps your car safe from many harmful elements in the air, including moisture, which can lead to rust.
It also protects your car from birds, cats or any animals that want to nest on your car and scratch it. You want a good car cover that covers the entire car, not just bits and pieces.
#9. Lubricate car.
Before long-term storage, it is good practice to lubricate the hood, doors, and trunk latches with silicone spray to prevent your doors from freezing or getting damaged.
This will keep them from rusting and getting stuck when you take your vehicle out of storage.
#10. Wash & Clean both Exterior & Interior.
Washing and cleaning both the interior and exterior well is important before long-term storage.
Asphalt and other damaging particles can stick with the paint and lead to rust during long-term storage.
You would want to wash the car with a special detergent to remove these damaging materials. Cleaning the inside is also a good idea for keeping rats and other rodents from burrowing in the car.
#11. Cover the Tailpipe.
Rodents like to make a home out of the tailpipe. If you’re considering to keep your vehicle over a long time, you should cover the tailpipes; just make sure to take off any covers before hitting the road!
#12. Regular Check & Drive.
If you have the chance, you should definitely check your car periodically and even take it out for a spin.
By driving the vehicle, you’re ensuring that its moving parts stay lubricated. You can also make sure that the air-conditioning unit and other electrical features still function by switching them on during a drive.
#13. Don’t Use the Parking Brake.
If you plan to put your car away for a long time, you will want to use auto-stoppers instead of your parking brake.
When you park your vehicle for a long time, the brake pads could fuse to the brake discs. Your parking brake could be difficult to disengage when it is time to hit the road.
#14. Keep rodents out.
Rodents enjoy living in cars. They can even breed inside the hood and inside the cabin of the car. Their biggest problem is that they chew electrical wires and cause damage to the electrical system.
You can try covering the exhaust system and air intake openings to deter the rodents. For an additional deterrent, peppermint is a known rodent repellent.
You can pour a little on cotton balls and place the cotton balls in places where rodents tend to build nests.
#15. Keep the interior dry and odour-free.
If your car is parked in a location with high moisture, you definitely want to put silica gel packs or other desiccants (dryness-promoting) products to prevent dampness.
This will protect your car’s interior from moisture and mold which are bad smells that are really hard to get rid of later.
Checklist for when you come back
Upon your return, you need to go over the car thoroughly before using it. Checking tire pressures, looking to see whether the brake discs are or have rust on them, and including all the fluids under the hood.
Inspect the engine compartment for rodent nests, clean the car properly inside and out, and finally after all is done, attached the battery terminals.
Fill the engine fluids and circulate the oil to all areas of the engine. The car is ready for use.