Did you know that more than 17 million cars were sold in 2019? General Motors sold a total of 2,887,046 cars. The GMC Sierra saw an increase in sales of 5.8%, totaling 232,323 cars.
Ford Motor Company sold about 2,422,698 cars last year. It has also consistently been one of the top car brands for American customers. The F-Series pickup truck was their most popular car, it accounted for 38% of Ford cars sold in 2019.
Owning a car is an important part of many people’s lives. Storing a car long term is something else many people have to do. Keep reading to learn about the most important tips to follow when storing your car.
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Secure a Location
If you’re wondering how to store a car long term, the first thing on your list should be finding a place to store it. The location you choose should depend on how long you’ll be storing your car but it’s important to use a storage location where you can control the climate.
A steel building is an ideal place for storing your car because it has high-grade insulation for temperature control and it’s known to be some of the most durable materials. Consider a steel building for your next project or as a car storage facility.
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Make Sure to Change the Car’s Oil
Before storing your car for a long period of time you should consider doing a bit of maintenance. This will help ensure that your car stays in working condition when it’s time to drive it again.
Start by changing your oil to make sure it’s clean and without any debris or contaminants. Leaving old oil sitting in your car for a long period of time can damage your engine and stop your car from functioning properly later on. A new filter will also keep the engine of your car in great shape while it’s stored.
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Fill up on Gas
An important rule in long term car storage is making sure the tank is filled up on gas before putting it away. When the gas tank is low or empty and your car is sitting in one place for long this can cause the tank to rust. Filling up the gas tank will prevent it from rusting and ensure that your car runs properly when you turn it on again.
Before storing your car make sure to add a bit of fuel stabilizer as well. Drive the car around for a bit to ensure that the stabilizer works its way through your car, this stabilizer will prevent damage to your car’s fuel lines.
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Elevate the Tires
When placing your car in the garage or storage location remember to leave it elevated off the ground. You can do this by simply putting some jacks under the tires to keep them off the ground.
Keeping the tires elevated will keep them filled and prevent them from becoming flat when you’re ready to take your car out of storage. You should check your tire pressure and make sure they’re filled to the appropriate level to prevent flat tires as well.
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Take Care of the Battery
When it comes to winter car storage you should take care of the battery before closing up your storage unit or garage. When a car sits for long periods of time this can lead to a dead battery.
The best option is to have someone check on the car and turn it on every couple of weeks for about 10-15 minutes each time. When this is impossible then disconnecting the battery will keep it from dying while your car sits in storage.
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Add Some Coolant
Another car maintenance check you should conduct before putting your car in storage is to check the coolant levels. Making sure that you’ve put in new coolant before storing your car will prevent damage to the car’s radiator. Any damage to a system in your car can keep it from running smoothly, so this is something you should avoid if you can.
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Clean the Car
Next on the list of car storage tips is making sure your car is clean before putting it away for an extended period of time. Washing your car and keeping it clean on the outside will prevent corrosion to its paint. Think about giving your car a wax before storage as well to add a layer of protection to it.
Vacuuming the carpets and wiping down the inside of your car will prevent pests that show up because of dirt or food residue. Make sure to remove any items that can start to smell if left in your car long term.
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Make Sure the Tailpipe Is Covered
Another important step you can’t forget when storing your car is ensuring that the tailpipe is covered properly. This will keep unwanted rodents from getting into your car and causing damage.
Covering the tailpipe will also keep moisture out and prevent rusting and corrosion. All you’ll need is a clean rag, make sure to push it into the tailpipe firmly. Don’t forget to take out the rag before starting your car again.
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Put a Cover Over Your Car
When it comes to long-term vehicle storage there are many steps you need to follow. Last on the list is putting a cover over your car. A car cover will keep moisture and dust off of your car and prevent corrosion and rust from forming.
Everything You Should Do When Storing a Car Long Term
Storing a car long term is simple when you follow the tips listed above. Finding the perfect storage location and taking care of the battery are two things you can’t forget to make sure your car stays in good condition while stored. Make sure you check out some of the other blogs on our site to learn more about this topic and many others.