Recent Posts
- Cars And Fluids: Why You Don’t Need To Flush
- Learning The Basics Of Car Recalls
- 4 New Features You’ll Find In The Latest Cars
- Look Deep into my Engine Eyes
- Mustang Sally
- How To Buy Discount Auto Tires
- An American Car Poster from the Olden Days
- How To Choose A Fuel-Friendly Car
- American Car Stills
- Only The Fanciest Cars Allowed Here
Categories
Archives
Blogroll
Meta
How To Properly Store Your Car
3rd November 2008
How To Properly Store Your Car
If you drive frequently, you may not have ever needed to store your car for an extended period. However, there are many reasons why you might have occasion to do so in the future. It’s important to understand why proper storage is essential for the long-term health of your vehicle. In this article, I’ll describe what can happen to your car if it’s left outside for months without use. Then, I’ll offer some valuable tips for storing your car properly.
Battling The Elements
When a car sits in the sun for a long time, the persistent heat and light gradually takes a toll on the interior. You may have noticed older vehicles in which the dashboard has developed fissures. The vinyl seats may be cracked or the interior seems to have lost its color. And if you turn the car stereo on and raise the volume, the speakers might sound awful.
On the outside, the tires may have deteriorated or the paint might have become chipped and flaked. The rubber of the windshield wipers may break apart at the touch. Under the hood, the engine might be dry, with no oil to lubricate the parts. These are some of the effects of allowing your car to sit neglected in the sun for months.
Tips For Storing Your Car
First, always try to store your vehicle in a garage. Besides getting it out of the sun, it’s important to keep your car inside to prevent the build up of dust and sediment. If you don’t have access to a garage with enough room, consider renting a small storage unit. If your car has any value, the monthly fee you’ll pay for the space might be a great investment. Also, it’s worth noting that there are companies which not only offer storage space, but will drive your car periodically to keep it in use. That helps prevent deterioration, keeps the engine lubricated and the battery from losing its charge.
Second, make sure your car has enough fluids. Start with the gas tank. Over time, gasoline breaks down, eventually causing unnecessary wear on the engine. But, you should keep your tank full to keep out air. You can purchase a fuel stabilizer for under $15 that will prevent the gas in your tank from deteriorating. Also, keep the oil in your car fresh while it’s in storage. Changing it takes very little time and prevents it from accumulating damaging particles.
Long-Term Storage
Even though your car may look durable and resilient, leaving it out to endure the sun and other elements can have a substantial impact. What’s more, if the fluids aren’t maintained properly, various parts and systems may be damaged when those fluids circulate. If you’re planning to leave your car unused for a long period, plan your storage strategy in advance. If your budget allows, consider hiring a private company to store your car, maintain it, and drive it occasionally.
Subscribe to the American Cars feed.
No Comments »
No comments yet.
RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URL