There are many reasons why some Floridians choose to store their car for long periods of time. Maybe you’re a snowbird making your way North for winter, maybe you have a car you want to add to your collection and you want to ensure it’s still usable once you find the space for it.
Regardless of the reason, if you’re storing your car for a month or more, how well it’s able to drive once you’re ready for it depending on how it’s stored. In this article, we’ll let you know how long your vehicle can last in storage, as well as the steps you can take to ensure it’s prepared for you when you get back.
How Long Can You Store a Vehicle For?
If you’re storing your car for less than a month, there aren’t many extra precautions you need to take in order to ensure that it runs well. These precautions are mainly necessary for a month or longer.
Generally speaking, most people can store their car for up to a year. We recommend speaking with a storage consultant before storing your car for multiple years. Car batteries and tires generally won’t last for more than 5-6 years, so if that’s the timeframe you’re looking at, you’ll probably need to replace some parts before running the vehicle.
What to Do Before Storing Your Car
Before storing your car for long periods of time, you want to fill the tank up to prevent it from rusting. Cleaning the vehicle, changing its oil, putting a cover over it, and putting jacks under the tires will also help increase the amount of time a vehicle can be stored for.
Storing Your Car in the Right Place
More than anything else, you want to make sure your car is stored in the right place. Vehicles left outside will be vulnerable to the elements, which can cause serious damage if they’re not being driven and cleaned regularly. As well, you want to find a temperature-controlled location. In Florida, this prevent heats, humidity, and even the salt air from wearing away at your vehicle.
Starting Your Car Up For The First Time In Months
If your car has been in storage for months, there are a few things you can do when starting it up to help it run better. First, check the tire pressure and make any adjustments as necessary. Then, remove the jacks from the vehicle.
You’ll want to be gentle when starting up the vehicle, but a little bit of creaking is perfectly normal.
Need to Store Your Vehicle in Plantation, Florida?
If so, you’ve come to the right place. Xtra Storage offers premier vehicle storage at our Plantation location. We can be found SW 87th Avenue, near Pinecrest and The Falls Shopping Center.
If you have any questions about our vehicle storage facility or you’d like to book a space with us today, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us by calling 954-452-9600.