Taking care of your vehicle has many aspects to it. You have to change your oil filters and parts when the time comes and it is important to know your car well. One of the biggest problems with maintaining cars well is storing them correctly. Cars are much easier to take care of if they are used regularly. You will have a feel for when something is wrong when you regularly drive it. When you store a car however, you will have to anticipate things that will go wrong without routine checking.
Where should you store your vehicle?
It goes without saying that the best choice for this would be your own garage, if you have one. A garage protects the car from the elements. Leaving your car out in the open for long periods of time has many risks. The damage from being out in open weather can cause metal fatigue in the car. There are also risks of rust, dust accumulation in the car and criminal activity like theft. Ideally, you should rent a space to keep your car or ask a family member to take care of it till you are back.
Now, there is an increasingly popular option of using containers for self storage. You can find ample self storage in London, Ontario and other major cities that have warehousing and storage complexes.
Indoors or outdoors?
Indoor spaces are the most ideal, but a covered outdoor space is good enough if the place has some maintenance done regularly. There are many businesses that will rent out storage units for short and long term car storage in London, Ontario and similar urban cities. Self storage containers have the benefit of being indoors with the benefits of being outdoors which gives you a reliable storage option at an affordable rate.
Clean the car thoroughly before storage
Ensure that it is clean and free of water, bird droppings, dirt &sand, and any other contaminants which could stain or oxidase the car. The recommended approach is to wash, dry and wax the car. Clean both the inside and outside since any food particles or other perishables can rot inside the car.
Maximum pressure on the tyres
Over long periods of time, the air in the tire can escape fully, leaving the car to stand on its rims. This can damage the car if it happens for too long, so make sure you set the tyres to the maximum permitted air pressure. It would also help to take out any heavy items from inside the car and keep it inside your self storage containers.
Other precautions for extra-long storage.
Remove the battery so that it doesn’t leak charge to the car for any reason. Keep the gas tank full so that there is no chance of moisture in the tank. You should also consider mixing a fuel stabilizer if you are storing it for a long time. Change the oil and clean your filters so that the car is still ready to go when you get back.