The Simple Steps Of Vehicle Storage Keep Your Car In Good Shape
People use car storage for many reasons: The car, truck or motorcycle might be in disrepair, but you still want to hang onto it; your vehicle is uninsured; or you just want to keep your car protected from harsh winter weather. Whatever your motivation for putting your car into a state of hibernation, there are a few car storage tips that anyone, vehicle veteran or not, can follow with a bit of effort and time.
Car storage tips can make storing your vehicle much easier.
Hey, if you want your vehicle back on the road with little to no hassle, performing your car storage effectively is a major step in the right direction.
A Handful Of Helpful Car Storage Tips
A lot can happen with poor car storage – including everything from rust and corrosion to gum and varnish in areas that are critical to your vehicle’s performance (like engine oil and the fuel system, for example).
How Do You Prevent This Type Of Damage From Happening To Your Vehicle?
Well, getting the car away from the elements is a great start. If you have a garage that is cool, dark, and dry, then definitely take full advantage of it for your car storage. If you do not have one, your options remain open. You can either rent a garage (not a bad approach for us New Yorkers) or get yourself a nice car bag or cover. The latter option(s) should involve a multi-layered fabric that is nice and thick. You don’t want to take any chances.
How About Before The Actual ‘Car Storage’?
Vehicle storage is an excellent option if done right.
That is, what does one do prior to locking away (or covering up) the vehicle itself? Let’s start with the fuel situation. If the gas tank is left empty for the car’s hiatus, condensation in the tank may cause rust; if fuel is present, gradual degradation of the fuel may lead to gum and varnish. How does one win? The key is to dispense fuel stabilizer into the tank and give the car a short run to circulate the stabilizer (10-12 miles ought to do). Should gas fumes be an issue, a half tank is just fine, though a full tank is preferred for proper vehicle storage.
Car Storage Tips Odds & Ends
There is, of course, more to vehicle storage, and this more includes changing the oil and the filter; circulating the oil with a 3-4 mile drive; replacing the spark plugs; cleaning the top of the battery with baking soda and water; loosening the drive belts (unless there is a drive belt tensioner already installed); sealing off the engine openings with cotton; and making sure all the vehicle’s fluids are full. In essence, there is a lot to vehicle storage.
Looking For A More Permanent Car Storage Solution?
If you’re up to the challenge of perfecting your car storage tips and techniques, feel free to use this article as a jump off point. But if you think your car is going to be sitting in storage for a while and you find that you are more than able to get along without it, perhaps you ought to sell your car to Big Bucks Auto. Not only will you get fast cash for your car, you will also no longer have to worry about following these car storage tips.
