Storage units dub as the perfect off-site garage. You can store your vehicle for as long as you want without ever having to worry about it taking up valuable space in the garage. A storage unit is also an excellent way to keep your car safe, secure and away from any potentially harmful weather. So, whether you’re looking to retire your summer convertible for the winter or are heading away on an extended vacation and need a place to store your vehicle, a storage unit is your answer.
Clean Before You Store
If there’s any tip you should follow when storing your car in a storage unit, let it be this one. It’s absolutely imperative to clean your car – or any of your belongings, for that matter – prior to putting it in storage. Otherwise, any dirt, debris or moisture can deteriorate the surfaces on your prized possessions when sitting for long periods of time.
Fortunately, this is an easy task to complete – you just need to take a trip to the car wash. Once the car is in the storage unit, give it a fresh wipe-down to remove any debris that accumulated from point A to point B.
Keep Your Car Covered
A simple step to properly storing your car in a storage unit is to keep it covered. This will protect it from all kinds of dirt, dust and debris that can accumulate over time. It isn’t required that you cover your car when opting for a storage unit, as the vehicle is already separated from environmental elements but it’s an extra step that’ll give you peace of mind.
If you are concerned about the temperature in which your car will be stored in, you can always opt for a climate-controlled unit to keep any exterior elements outside.
Give It a Charge Every Once in a While
Your car battery will drain over time if left unattended. This generally isn’t anything to worry about, as you can boost it back up with some boosting cables when needed. However, this can become a complicated task if your car is face-in. So, it’s better left avoided.
Keeping your battery charged while in storage comes with many benefits. It will help keep the engine and other parts thoroughly lubricated and in optimal working condition, while also deterring any delays when you want to take your vehicle out of storage. So, if possible, take a trip over to your storage unit every couple of weeks to start your car to keep the battery charged. If you’re out of town, see if a friend will do this for you. Otherwise, you may want to consider disconnected the battery while the car is being stored.
Don’t Pull the Parking Brake
It isn’t every day that you hear someone telling you not to use the parking brake. However, when it comes to storing a vehicle in a storage unit, it’s absolutely imperative that you avoid using the parking brake and opt for a tire stopper instead. Otherwise, you risk damaging the brake pads and rotors because when they’re in contact for long periods of time, they could fuse.
Keep Your Car Registered and Have Proof of Ownership
In order to store a vehicle in your unit, it must be registered and it must be yours. Otherwise, the vehicle is strictly prohibited. So, you’ll want to make sure you have this paperwork available when placing your car in a storage unit to avoid any discrepancies.
Other than that, you are ready to keep your car in good running order while it’s in storage. Whether you’re slipping away to a tropical destination for the winter season or simply need a place to store your summer vehicle, a storage unit is the best solution.
