Vehicles are in constant need of maintenance, even when they’re parked. Before storing your vehicle in one of ABBA’s climate-controlled Concord car storage units, there are several best practices you should follow for long-term auto and RV storage:
Fill up all tanks and add gas stabilizer
All tanks that store liquid, including your gas tank, wiper fluid tank, and brake fluid tank, should be filled. This prevents condensation from building inside. Additionally, your vehicle needs gas stabilizer mixed in the gas tank to reduce ethanol build up and keep the gas in good shape. If the gas isn’t stabilized and sits for too long, it can gum up your fuel system’s components, requiring all the fuel to be flushed and refilled when it’s time to drive again.
Disconnect the battery or use a battery tender
Your vehicle’s battery is always active, especially if it’s a high-tech model. Its computer and clock will continue to drain the battery, unless the battery is disconnected, removed, or tended to with a device that maintains your battery’s health. Older vehicles with minimal technology are typically fine with disconnection or removal, but newer vehicles with more hardware might have issues. Before tinkering with your vehicle’s battery, look into whether the manufacturer recommends one way or another.
Change the oil
If your vehicle won’t be driven for over a month, change the oil to reduce the risk of damage caused by contaminants in used oil. Even if you’ve had an oil change several weeks ago, you should get an oil change. The less used the oil, the better.
Wash the exterior and clean the interior
Give your vehicle a thorough cleaning before you store it away. Any dirt, debris, and dust that remains can harden and damage your frame and finish. Don’t neglect the undercarriage, where remaining dirt can retain moisture that rusts the steel and metal. For additional protection, wax the exterior. As for the interior, remove all garbage, wipe the windows, and vacuum the mats. Anything left inside will leave odors for when you return.
Don’t engage the parking brake
Keeping the parking brake engaged during long-term storage can cause the brake to rust in place, fusing it with the wheel rotors. You won’t be able to disengage the lock when it’s time to drive again, and you’ll have to resort to towing or other methods to get the vehicle out for repairs. You won’t have to worry about the car rolling in the storage unit if you follow the next step: jacking up the vehicle.
Jack up the vehicle
The longer your vehicle stays undriven, the higher the risk of your tires flat-spotting. Flat-spotting happens when tires are put under heavy weight for a considerable amount of time, hardening into a flat spot. While these flat spots can be driven out, it’s uncomfortable and ultimately might result in a tire change, so if your vehicle will be stationary for more than two weeks, prop your vehicle on four jack stands.
Cover the vehicle with a soft and breathable material
Even in an indoor storage unit, your vehicle will benefit from a quality car cover that allows “breathing” while keeping out the dust and moisture that lingers after the unit is shut. A standard cloth cover can work and is affordable, but you’ll get the most protection out of a premium and custom-fit car cover. Avoid using tarps or plastic covers because they have poor fit, can trap moisture that damages your vehicle’s paint, and aren’t meant to be used longer than a couple days.
ABBA Self & RV Storage can help you pick the right car storage unit in Concord for your holiday and celebratory needs. We offer the best in security, including a gated property, security cameras, and individual security controls. For further information, contact us today.
