Guide to storing vehicles long-term

If you owned a Corvette, you’d park it in a garage for the winter, wouldn’t you? And if you own a very special four-wheeled baby, we are certain you’d take care of it! Truth is, there is more than one reason for storing vehicles long-term aside from owning an expensive car, and affordable movers Brooklyn are going to help you with them. You might own a vintage car that you only show off a few times a year. Maybe you just take it out in the summer for the car shows and cruise nights. Those are all good reasons for storing vehicles long-term. Regardless of the cause, if you’re looking for car storage, you want ultimate protection and care for your car. Here are a few tips for storing vehicles long-term to help you out.

Storing your car long term 101:

• Fill up your tank to prevent the reservoir from rusting internally
• Change the oil
• Lift the car up on jacks
• Wash and wax it to prevent rust
• Plug the tailpipe
• Don’t activate the parking brake
• Have a plastic sheet under your car
• Clean and dust the interior to prevent mildew
• Cover your car with a linen material

Checking the fuel pumps

The wisest move when storing vehicles long-term is to add corrosion inhibitor fuel stabilizer to prevent rust. Moving company New York experts say that adding these liquids is great with helping you avoid internal tank damage. If you remember to pour them into your tank, your car can stay in storage for a long time. But first, drive around for a bit to make sure the mixed fuel spreads out into the rest of the engine.

But note that if you’re storing your car for longer than a year or two, the fuel will expire, anyway. The gas you will be putting in it is only a preventative measure for some time. You shouldn’t plan to drive on the same gas after several years. You will first need to empty your tank and then refill it with fresh fuel.

Change the oil before storing vehicles long-term

The same stands for oil, you will need to replace it, just like the fuel. Used engine oil will have material that is dangerous for the engine if it was set in the car too long. An oil change is practical and protects your tank so that you have less to worry about when you take the car out a few months or years later. You should also apply lubricant to any other parts of your engine to keep them greased and clean. Better safe than sorry.

Put your vehicle on jacks

If you’ll be storing vehicles long-term but for more than a few months, you should consider putting your them on jacks. Avoid consistent weight that will be pushing the same part of the tires for the duration of time while they are in storage. One of the benefits of long-term storage is that you are able to access the car on a regular basis, you should take it out for a spin every once in a while to keep the tires fresh. Otherwise, if you leave it in the same spot, you’re going to need a new pair of tires once you take the car out of the storage unit.

Wash and wax your cars before putting storing vehicles long-term

While you should always keep your cars as clean as possible, it’s especially important to wash them before storing vehicles long-term. Even consider waxing them, before leaving them in our storage units for a while. Dust, grease, and all sorts of particles on the car attract pests, mildew, and bugs which are all dangerous to the car. Use wax since it adds another level of protection for the metal and it will prevent rust.

Plug the tailpipe before storing vehicles long-term

The reason behind plugging your tailpipe before storing vehicles long-term is to keep the critters and moist air out of your machine. Any hole left open on the car is a way for pests to climb inside. You can shut the tailpipe off with aluminum foil or a rag. But you must remember to take it out before you drive again. You should also quickly perform a scan of the car to see if there are other open areas. This may include air intake and loose windows. Another way to keep critters and bugs out of the car is to spread mothballs or cotton balls dipped in peppermint oil around your car. Leave some mouse traps around the car as well, because they work great for the bigger pests.

Park your car on a plastic sheet

There are two benefits to parking on a sheet before storing vehicles long-term. Firstly, it keeps drips off the floor. Sometimes there’s no way around your car leaking. Secondly, a plastic sheet will protect your wheels from oils on the ground creeping up onto them.

Cover your car

Covering your car is the last step in prepping but skip the plastic sheet, duvet, or tarp. These materials won’t be able to cover the car tightly enough. And they also don’t provide enough breathability. Plastic attracts humidity and if moisture creeps between the cover and the car, it will damage the paint and metal. A real car cover is made from natural fibers. They will be soft and breathable.

You’re in luck because JP Urban Moving is on your side!

We offer an array of premier storage services for any type of our clients’ needs! Our storage facility is very accessible – both on foot and with moving trucks. It doesn’t matter if you are moving locally, long-distance or storing vehicles long-term – call us! JP Urban Moving has a dedicated team that will be there for you!