If you thought that you could simply leave your vehicle in your yard while you head away for a long-term trip, you will come home to find that your vehicle is not in the same order you left it in. Below, we will go over some important steps you need to take to store your vehicle in long-term storage.
- Clean Your Vehicle
You should give your vehicle a bath before you leave it behind. You want to make sure you remove all of the dirt and mud from the paint as this can cause your paint to chip and scratch later on.
- Cover Your Vehicle When You Can
Next, if you are able to, you should place a cover over top of your vehicle to protect it from pests, the weather, and debris. If your vehicle is stored in an enclosed storage unit, you do not have to worry about covering the vehicle as much. If your vehicle is going to be parked in an uncovered lot, make sure that you definitely get a cover for it.
- Change Your Vehicle’s Oil and Add Gas
You cannot leave old oil and fuel in your vehicle as it can cause contaminants to get into your vehicle’s lines and systems. You should change the oil in your vehicle and then refill it before you leave. You should also top off your gas tank and place a fuel stabilizer into your tank as well.
- Inflate Your Tires
You need to check the air pressure in your tires and make sure that they are properly inflated before you leave. If you do not inflate the tires, you may find that you return to flat tires or tires that have flat spots in them.
If you are unsure of what to inflate your tires to, you should check the user manual within your vehicle. When you do add air to your tires, make sure you do not overfill them as you may find that they pop when you drive.
- Remember the Battery
One thing that many car owners forget is that the vehicle battery needs to be charged to keep its charge. If you have the means, you should have someone start your vehicle every couple of weeks and let the vehicle run for about 15 minutes. This will ensure that the battery is charged when you return. If this is not possible for you or someone else to do, consider purchasing a new battery on your return.
If you are getting ready to place your vehicle in long-term storage, follow the steps above and your vehicle will be in the same condition you left it in. If you are worried about leaving your vehicle behind, consider having a friend or relative watch it and check on it periodically for you.
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