Checklist for Long-Term Auto Storage
Cars are made for driving, but there may be times during your auto ownership history that it makes sense to store your vehicle for an extended period. For example, if you work abroad or cross-country, you may leave your car at home unused for months at a time. Or, if you have a collectible automobile and an everyday driver, the collectible may only be cranked once every few months. Regardless of the reason, 
long-term auto storage in Metairie can be a great solution for those who need a safe, secure place to place their automobiles during prolonged periods when not being used.
Fortunately, it’s not difficult to find an affordable auto storage facility that can meet your long-term storage needs. Using an auto storage facility will give you peace of mind when your car is unused, and that’s well worth the minimal investment you’ll make in storage costs. If you’re preparing to store your car for a long period, there are some things you should do to make sure that it’s in top shape when you come back to it. Keep reading for a checklist of things you should do before putting your automobile up in long-term storage.
Find the Perfect Storage Facility
The first thing you need to do when storing a car for a long time is find a facility that meets your needs. If you’re just storing your daily driver while you work away from home, an open secure storage lot may be fine. If you need to store a classic collectible, however, you may opt for climate-controlled storage* to minimize exposure to the elements. In either case, you want to make sure that the storage facility you choose is close to your home, provides easy access to your vehicle, and offers affordable rates that are in line with the cost for storing cars in your area.
Gas Up
It’s important when storing your car to fill the gas tank immediately prior to storing it. You may not realize it, but moisture in the air can condense inside the empty space in your gas tank during long periods of infrequent use. That moisture will cause rust to form on the inside of your gas tank, which is problematic. It can lead to a leaking gas tank over time, and rust that flakes off and corrupts the gas can clog fuel system components and damage your vehicle. Make sure that there is as little empty space in the gas tank as possible before storing your car.
Add Fuel Stabilizer
Now that you’ve filled the tank with gas, it’s important to make sure that gas remains viable while the car is in storage. Gas can become unstable when stored in excess of two months, and fuel stabilizers can prevent that from happening. By adding a stabilizer, you can ensure that the gas in the tank will still be usable the next time you crank the car. It can also help prevent damage to the fuel system caused by old gas.
Get an Oil Change
Dirty oil can contain many components that create problems in your engine if allowed to sit for extended periods. Leaving old oil in the car during storage can also make it difficult to crank the automobile when you return to it. Therefore, the best practice is to change the oil immediately before you put the car in storage.
Use Tire Jacks
Tire jacks are devices that can be placed beneath the car to take pressure off the tires during storage. If the tires sit on the ground during extended storage periods, it can cause them to develop flat spots which will compromise the integrity of your tires. Using tire jacks prevents tire damage and ensures that you can drive your car away from the storage facility when you return for it.
Clean It
Make sure that your car is clean inside and out before storing it. Externally, remove dirt and dust that could lead to scratches beneath your car cover. Internally, it’s important to clean the vehicle’s interior thoroughly. Vacuuming will ensure that bugs and vermin aren’t drawn to your car during storage and using conditioners on surfaces such as the dash and leather seats can prevent cracking.
Disconnect the Battery
To prevent a slow drain of your battery during storage, make sure that you disconnect it and put it on a float charger. If you fail to disconnect the battery, not only will your battery be damaged, but it may also leak corrosive fluids into your engine compartment, causing additional damage to your car.
Long-term car storage can help provide car owns with solutions when vehicles must remain unused for long periods. By handling the tasks outlined above, car storage should be a painless, convenient process that protects your vehicle. To learn more about the steps you should take prior to long-term car storage, contact Affordable Self Storage at (504) 833-1717.
*Affordable Self Storage does not offer indoor and/or climate controlled storage for vehicles, but we do offer affordable and secure outdoor storage.
Our 5 Convenient Area Locations
Affordable Self Storage
1015 Central Ave Metairie, LA 70001 | Phone: (504) 833-1717 | Fax: (504) 831-4840
(504) 833-1717 | Fax: (504) 831-4840