Car storage proves quite handy when you are moving to a new place temporarily. It does away with the hassle of taking your cars with you and then transporting them back when you come back to your original residence. So while you are away, why not store it at a place where your cars will be protected from snow, hail, rain, heat, bird droppings, rats, and thieves.
However, you might not find your car in good condition if you fail to take proper storage measures. So here are few storage tips that will ensure that your car is stored in a proper way and condition.
Keep The Gas Tank Full
Fill up your gas tank before storage. A tank full of gas reduces the amount of water that gasoline can absorb. It is also a good idea to put in some cylinder lubricant in the tank along with the gas. In order to mix the lubricant properly with the gas, you should run the car for a minute or two.
Change The Engine Oil
If you are going to use car storage for a long time, you must remove the dirty oil from the engine. If you leave dirty oil inside the engine, it will cause rust inside the engine. Besides the dirty oil, you must also change the filter. It is also a good idea to remove the spark plugs so that the piston rings do not rust the cylinder walls.
Protecting Engine From Rust
There are the steps you must take to protect your engine from rusting while in car storage. You should first coat the exposed metal area of the engine with a lubricant spray. The lubricant spray will leave a protective film on the coils, hose clamps, and carb body.
Other Steps
* Before storing, make sure that you have drained or flushed the cooling system. Before doing that, make sure that the heater valve is open. Now refill the cooling system with a 50/50 mixture of fresh, antifreeze, distilled water.
* If it is time for your brake system to be flushed with new fluid, then you must do so before the vehicle’s storage. Generally, the brake system should be flushed every two years.
* The battery should be removed and cleaned before the storage. It is advisable to clean the battery and battery case with a solution of baking soda and water to neutralize the acid.
* You can slip a plastic bag over the exhaust pipe tips and then hold it in place using a rubber band. You should do the same with the air cleaner inlet. This will ensure that moisture does not get inside your engine.
* Clean the interior of the car thoroughly and place mothballs in the trunk, interior, and the engine compartment. This will offer protection against infestation.
* If you are storing a convertible car, it is best to leave it up. Leaving it folded down in storage for long can lead to formation of ugly creases on the top.
* Make sure that all the windows and doors are properly locked. If possible, you should rotate the drive axles a few turns atleast every month. This will ensure that all the gears and transmission main shaft and countershaft are coated with oil while in car storage. If you cannot do it, you can have someone else do it for you.
* Cover your car with a protective cover while in storage.
Following these tips will ensure that your car is well protected while it is in
car storage facility.