How to Prepare Your Car for Long-Term Storage

Here's what you need to do to make sure your car will start and run smoothly after being stored.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Car Batteries
• Car Battery Chargers
• Car Covers Or Tarp
• Car Oil
• Car Wax
• Fuel Additives
• Car Wax
• Fuel Filters
• Oil Filters
• Car Jacks

1. Choose a garage or other storage facility that's dry. Damp air will cause rust over a long period of time.

2. Fill the gas tank and add a fuel-stabilizing additive to prevent the gas from oxidizing and deteriorating. An empty or low gas tank will rust internally as moisture may accumulate inside the tank.

3. Relieve the weight from the tires by putting the car up on jack stands (available for about $15 a pair - you'll need two pairs). Check with the owner's manual and/or your mechanic about the safest place to place the jack stands.

4. Wash and wax the car well to prevent corrosion.

5. Disconnect the battery (although it will probably need to be replaced later, anyway) so the alarm doesn't go off. For shorter term storage (when you're not in the area) you can ask a friend to start up the car every few weeks and let it run for five or 10 minutes (don't run a car in a garage without proper ventilation - carbon monoxide can kill).

6. Cover your car with a good quality car cover or tarp.

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[outdoorperson]

on 10/23/2006 Be careful where you park your car... I found rats in my otherwise clean car one time after parking it for only two weeks...

on 3/20/2006 Most full service auto parts stores, like Napa, can order full size desiccant bags (the size of a sock) that you place inside your car which will effectively soak up atmospheric moisture to prevent mildew damage if you live in a humid area. Oil of spearmint placed on a number of cotton balls placed on rubber floor mats (not carpet) will also keep the interior smelling nicely for a long while, as well with a side benefit of repelling mice which find the oil to be a skin irritant.

on 3/20/2006 Almost any boat store carries engine fogging supplies that will allow the home user to adequately prepare the block for long term storage - instructions are on the can usually too. CRC also makes an aerosol based spray also available at boat stores that is used to spray in and around weather type connectors, fuse blocks etc that is a moisture barrier and corrosion inhibitor that wont mess with rubber or synthetic seals.

on 11/22/2005 I've heard oil that sits will become acidic in the long term and then start to eat the gaskets. Change the oil before storage.

on 11/22/2005 If your car is going to be laid to rest for the winter, remember to add a fuel freshener to the tank, along with a full tank of gas. A full tank accumulates less condensation (water and resulting rust). One brand is Sta-bil, but there are others. This makes for easier starting in the spring.