If you are preparing to store a vehicle for any amount of time then one thing is for certain and that is that you will want the vehicle that you store to come out of storage in the same condition that it went in. This means that there are necessary steps that you must take before you secure your vehicle in storage.

Locating a Vehicle Storage Facility

Finding a place to keep your vehicle when it is stored is not as hard as one might seem. In fact, most mini-storage facilities have a lot that they use for vehicle storage. If you wish to store your vehicle in an enclosed facility, you can simply rent a storage unit that is big enough to contain your vehicle.

Protecting the finish

Wash and wax your vehicle to protect its finish. To protect the undercarriage from rust you will also want to clean any dirt from the underside of the vehicle as well. Remember that accumulated dirt and leaves can store water which can lead to rust.

Beware of Nesting Rodents

Rodents such as rats squirrels and mice find stored vehicles an attractive place to nest in, so you will want to place a few packets or mouse poison in the vehicle as well as in the trunk and engine compartment. Also, an aluminum can stuck over the exhaust pipe will stop any small animals from climbing in.

Protect the Cylinders and Valves

Its a good idea to remove each spark plug and pour a small amount of oil into each cylinder of the motor. Then you will want to either turn the motor over by hand or disconnect the distributor wire and use the key to give the motor a quick spin.

Check the Coolant

If you are in a cold climate then you will also want to make sure that there is adequate anti-freeze in the cooling system as well. Lastly, make sure that the battery is disconnected and removed from the vehicle and stored in a cool dry place on a box off the ground.