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How to Store a Car: Your Complete Guide

You love keeping your car looking fresh on the road. But that same care is crucial when you’re storing a car for a few months. Simply parking it without the right prep can lead to costly issues down the line. That’s why knowing exactly how to store a car properly is so important for protecting your investment. We’ve gathered the essential car storage tips to make sure your vehicle is ready to travel whenever you are. Following these steps ensures it’s in top shape the moment you get back behind the wheel.

When to Prepare a Car for Long-Term Storage

If you know you won’t be driving your car for a month or more, it’s time to prep it for storage. Whether you’re taking a long trip, deploying, or just have a seasonal vehicle, letting a car sit idle for extended periods can lead to frustrating and costly issues. The battery can die, tires can develop flat spots, and fluids can degrade, causing problems for the engine. A little bit of prep work before you store your vehicle goes a long way in making sure it starts right up and is ready to go when you return. Think of it as an investment in your car’s health and your future peace of mind. Taking these proactive steps helps maintain its condition and prevents you from coming back to a car that needs major repairs before it can even leave the driveway.

Follow These Steps for Storage of a Month or More

Getting your car ready for storage doesn’t have to be complicated. Following a simple checklist can protect your vehicle from the inside out. First, give it a thorough wash and wax to shield the paint from dust, debris, or bird droppings that can cause damage over time. Next, fill the gas tank most of the way and add a quality fuel stabilizer; this prevents moisture from accumulating in the tank and keeps the fuel from breaking down. It’s also wise to get an oil change, as used engine oil contains contaminants that can damage the engine. To prevent flat spots on your tires from the car’s weight, inflate them to the recommended pressure. Finally, use a soft, breathable car cover to protect it from dust and moisture while still allowing air to circulate.

Choosing the Right Car Storage Option

Where you store your car is just as important as how you prepare it. The ideal spot is a clean, dry, and secure indoor space, like your own garage. This environment protects your vehicle from the elements, including harsh sun that can fade paint and crack interiors, as well as rain, hail, and pests. An indoor location also provides a crucial layer of security against theft and vandalism. However, not everyone has access to a spare garage. If that’s your situation, you have plenty of other great options to consider. Many self-storage facilities offer dedicated indoor or covered parking spaces designed specifically for vehicles, giving you a secure alternative to leaving your car exposed on the street or in a driveway.

When you’re looking for a storage solution, think about what makes your life easiest. If you’re storing a car as part of a larger move or home renovation, a portable storage container can be an incredibly efficient choice. At Box-n-Go, we can deliver a storage unit directly to your home. You can load your belongings—and in some cases, your vehicle—on your own schedule. Then, you can either keep the container on your property for easy access or have us transport it to our secure, indoor storage facility. This approach saves you from renting a moving truck or making multiple trips to a storage unit, streamlining the entire process so you can focus on what matters most.

Where Should You Store Your Car?

When it comes to choosing a location to store your car, you have a few different options:

Is Indoor Car Storage Right for You?

It’s entirely possible to store your vehicle in a storage unit if you don’t have a garage of your own. Drive-up units provide indoor units that are much like garages for long-term storage of vehicles. If you have a truck to store, then you’ll want to be sure the storage company provides extra-large units that will house your full vehicle.

Because the units are indoors, they’re naturally protected against the climate, making them a great choice for sports cars with mint paint or classic cars that cannot afford any damage.

Why Climate-Controlled Storage Is a Smart Choice

When you’re looking for the best way to store your vehicle, especially for a few months, climate-controlled storage is a fantastic option. These units do more than just keep your car out of the rain; they maintain a steady temperature and humidity level. This is a huge deal because it helps protect your car from the inside out. As the experts at Wiygul Automotive Clinic point out, damp air is a primary cause of rust, so a temperature-controlled space is ideal for keeping your car’s metal components in top shape. It’s a simple step that goes a long way in preserving your vehicle’s condition and value over time.

Beyond preventing rust, indoor, climate-stable storage shields your car from other environmental threats. Think about the damage direct sunlight can do over time—fading your beautiful paint job and causing the dashboard and upholstery to crack and deteriorate. Indoor storage completely removes that risk. It also provides a secure barrier against bad weather, accidental scratches, and even pests looking for a cozy place to nest. Kelley Blue Book sums it up well by explaining that this type of storage protects your car from a whole host of potential problems, keeping it just as you left it.

To get the most out of indoor storage, you’ll also want to ensure there’s good air circulation. Using a special car cover that allows for airflow is a great final touch to prevent any moisture from getting trapped, which can lead to mold or mildew. Some modern storage solutions, like having your vehicle placed in a portable container that is then kept inside a large, secure warehouse, offer this dual layer of protection. The container shields your car directly, while the warehouse provides the stable, climate-protected environment. This approach ensures your vehicle stays dry, safe, and preserved, making it a smart investment for any car owner.

What About Storing Your Car Outdoors?

If the winter isn’t harsh this year or prefer to save more money on storing your vehicle, then you can choose outdoor car storage as your plan for the next few months. Many storage services that provide indoor storage options also have outdoor units that can service vehicles of all shapes and sizes.

Why Covered Car Shelters Are a Great Option

Covered car storage is a sort of hybrid choice between indoor and outdoor storage. You gain roof protection which prevents snow and sun damage, and it’s more affordable than a fully-indoor unit. If the weather won’t bring harsh storms, then this could work as a less expensive solution.

What Size Storage Unit Do You Need?

Choosing the right size storage unit is the first step to ensuring your car is stored safely. Think of it like finding the right-size garage. The most common choice for a standard vehicle is a 10×20 foot unit, which is roughly the size of a one-car garage and comfortably fits most sedans, SUVs, and mid-size trucks. If you’re storing something smaller, like a compact car or a motorcycle, a 10×15 unit will likely do the trick. For larger vehicles like a full-size pickup truck or a commercial van, you’ll want to look at 10×25 or 10×30 units. Before you commit, it’s always a good idea to measure your vehicle’s length and width and confirm the dimensions with the storage facility.

Understanding Car Storage Costs

The cost of storing your car can vary quite a bit, so it’s helpful to know what factors are at play. Prices are influenced by the unit’s size, whether it’s an indoor or outdoor space, your geographic location, and even seasonal demand. For example, storing a car in a major city will typically cost more than in a rural area. Generally, you can expect to pay anywhere from under fifty to a few hundred dollars per month. While it’s tempting to go for the cheapest option, remember that paying for an indoor or covered unit is an investment in protecting your car from the elements, which can save you from costly repairs down the road.

How to Prepare Your Car for Storage

Putting your car away for a few months or more requires a bit of prep work. Taking these steps helps prevent damage from sitting idle and ensures your vehicle is in great shape when you’re ready to hit the road again. Think of it as a simple checklist to protect one of your most valuable assets. You’ll need to handle some paperwork, perform a few key maintenance tasks, and give your car a thorough cleaning. It might seem like a lot, but each step is straightforward and plays a crucial role in keeping your car healthy during its time off. A little effort now will save you from potential headaches and expensive fixes later on, making the process much more efficient in the long run.

Gather Your Paperwork and Adjust Insurance

Before you do anything to the car itself, let’s get the administrative tasks out of the way. This is all about making sure your documents are in order and your insurance coverage is appropriate for a stored vehicle. You’ll need to have specific paperwork on hand to rent the storage unit, and a quick call to your insurance agent can potentially save you some money while keeping your car protected. Handling this first makes the rest of the process much smoother. It’s a simple but essential part of responsible car storage that gives you peace of mind knowing everything is officially squared away.

Required Documents for Renting a Storage Unit

When you go to rent a storage unit for your vehicle, the facility will need to see a few key documents. Be prepared to show a valid driver’s license, the vehicle’s current registration, and proof of insurance. This is standard procedure for any reputable storage company. They need to verify your identity and confirm that you are the legal owner of the car you intend to store. It’s a measure that protects both you and the facility, so make sure you have these items ready to go before you plan to move your car into its temporary home.

How to Handle Car Insurance for a Stored Vehicle

Never cancel your car insurance when putting your vehicle into storage. Most storage facilities require you to maintain coverage, and more importantly, it protects your car from theft, vandalism, fire, or other damage. However, you might not need the same level of coverage. Contact your insurance provider and tell them the car will be in long-term storage. You can likely remove collision coverage and reduce your premium, while keeping comprehensive coverage active. This keeps your car protected for a lower monthly cost while it’s not on the road.

Perform Pre-Storage Maintenance

Once the paperwork is sorted, it’s time to give your car some mechanical attention. A few maintenance tasks will keep the engine and other systems in good working order while it’s not being driven. These steps are designed to protect your car from the inside out, preventing fluids from degrading and seals from drying out. This includes things like changing the oil, topping off fluids, and taking care of the fuel tank. This preventative care is crucial for making sure your car starts up and runs smoothly when you take it out of storage, saving you from a frustrating and potentially expensive situation later.

Get a Professional Inspection for Leaks

Before you store your car, it’s wise to have a mechanic check for any fluid leaks. Small drips from the engine, transmission, or brakes can worsen over time and create a mess on the storage unit floor. More importantly, they indicate an underlying issue that is much easier and cheaper to fix now than after it has caused more damage. A quick inspection provides peace of mind and helps you avoid returning to a puddle under your car and a much bigger repair bill. It’s a proactive step that aligns with keeping the entire storage process simple and stress-free.

Prep Your Engine: Change the Oil

If you’re planning to store your vehicle for more than three months, then it’s smart to use fuel stabilizer. That’s because the majority of the ethanol-blended fuels in your car will only last three months. As the name implies, stabilizers help keep the fuel in your tank stable and stop it from corroding the engine and the fuel lines. To use the stabilizer, add it to a near-full tank of gas.

Likewise, you should change the oil and filter in your car as well as top off other fluids before putting your car away for a few months. In the colder climates, it’s especially important to keep up with the antifreeze. After stabilizing your gas and topping off the fluids, drive around one more time to help the new fluids circulate throughout the car.

Failing to change the oil will lead to lots of problems for your vehicle. The most common side effect is generating too much heat in the engine, which makes it run less efficiently than it should. Over time, an efficient engine wears out as the components warp. Without proper lubrication between these components, the problems only worsen.

Eventually, the engine will completely break down and require replacement when you don’t change your oil. This would cost thousands of pocket.

Special Steps for Storing an Electric Vehicle (EV)

Storing an electric vehicle follows many of the same rules as a gas-powered car, like giving it a thorough cleaning and using a cover. The biggest difference, as you might guess, is the battery. You don’t want to leave it fully charged or completely empty for an extended period. For long-term storage, the sweet spot is charging the main battery to about 50%. Leaving it at this level helps maintain the battery’s health and prevents degradation over several months. Once it hits that halfway mark, you can disconnect it from the charger and rest easy knowing you’re protecting one of your car’s most important components.

Protect Your Tires and Brakes

Leaving a car sitting for months puts a lot of continuous pressure on the tires, which can lead to dreaded flat spots. To avoid this, make sure to inflate your tires to the manufacturer’s recommended pressure before you put the car away. For extra protection, especially if you’re storing it for a very long time, you can place the car on jack stands. This takes the vehicle’s weight completely off the tires and also relieves stress on the suspension components. It’s an extra step, but it goes a long way in keeping everything in top shape for your return.

Next, let’s talk about the brakes. Your first instinct might be to engage the parking brake, but this is a mistake for long-term storage. When left engaged for months, the brake pads can actually fuse to the rotors, which is a headache you don’t want and can be a costly repair. Instead of using the parking brake, secure the vehicle with a set of wheel chocks. These simple blocks are placed behind the tires to prevent the car from rolling, keeping it safely in place without engaging the brake system and risking damage.

Prevent Flat Spots: Use Jack Stands

Before storing your vehicle for months, be sure its tires are inflated to the correct pressure. When cars sit still for too long, the tires can develop flat spots because the vehicle’s heavy weight pushes down on tires that aren’t moving. This happens even faster when the temperature is cold out or if you’re using low-profile or performance tires.

Sometimes, all you’ll have to do is drive the car around the block a few times to return the tires to their normal shape and temperature. In worse situations, the flat spot is permanent, and you can’t use that tire to drive around anymore.

If you plan to store your car for more than 30 days, think about taking the wheels off completely and putting the car on four jack stands. Of course, this is more work, but you won’t have to replace all four tires when you come back.

Fill the Gas Tank Completely

While you’re topping off fluids, don’t forget the gas tank. It might seem counterintuitive to fill it up before letting it sit, but a full tank is your best defense against long-term damage. Leaving the tank partially empty allows moisture to collect inside, which can lead to rust and other issues. Topping it off completely and adding a quality fuel stabilizer prevents moisture buildup and stops gummy deposits from forming in your fuel system. After you add the stabilizer, take your car for one last quick spin around the neighborhood. This helps circulate the stabilizer through the entire system, ensuring every part is protected while it rests.

Lubricate Hinges and Joints

This next tip is one of those small details that can make a big difference when you retrieve your car from storage. Take a few minutes to apply a light oil to the hinges of your doors, hood, and trunk. It’s a quick and easy task that prevents these moving parts from seizing up or getting rusty over the months. Think about how satisfying it will be to have everything open smoothly without any creaks or groans when you’re ready to hit the road again. This simple step ensures that your car not only runs well but also feels right after its long hibernation.

Give Your Car a Deep Clean (Inside and Out)

It might seem counter intuitive to wash your car right before storing it away for a few months, but it’s easy to do and you don’t want to skip this or any other car storage tips. Bird droppings and water stains that get onto the car body can eat away at the paint and ruin it. Be sure to get the tires cleaned too, or else it will have tar, grease, and mud sitting there for months. To take it a step further, throw a coat of wax on the car too.

Likewise, you’ll need to protect your vehicle from rodent damage. Storing your car in a garage at home keeps it relatively warm and dry, but these conditions also make a stored car the perfect place for rodents to make their nest. A car has plenty of nooks and crannies to hide critters, and it has just as many things these critters could chew on. Cover the air intake, exhaust pipe, and other gaps you can easily get to using steel wool. Cotton swabs dipped in peppermint oil around the vehicle can help drive away rodents with the smell.

For Long-Term Storage, Disconnect the Battery

Before storing your car, you should either remove and store its battery or otherwise connect it to a battery tender. Make sure the tender or trickle charger has an automatic shutoff feature to prevent overcharging the battery.

If you intend to remove the battery but also use a tender, set the battery on the wood in your garage or storage unit. Don’t lose the two battery bolts, or else you’ll have a hard time reconnecting the battery in the spring. Ensuring the battery stays charged helps it last longer, and you won’t have to worry about whether it’ll be dead once you return to drive it.

If you want to remove the battery but not use a trickle charger, bring the unit inside your home and keep it warm. Frozen batteries can crack.

Another Method: Overinflate Your Tires

If putting your car on jack stands feels like a bit too much work, there’s another simple way to help prevent flat spots on your tires. Before you park your car for its long rest, inflate the tires to the maximum recommended pressure, which you can find printed on the tire’s sidewall. When a car sits in one spot for months, its weight constantly presses down on the same section of the tires, causing the rubber to flatten. Overinflating them slightly gives them extra support to counteract this pressure. This quick step is much easier than dealing with the hassle and expense of replacing a full set of tires that have developed permanent flat spots from sitting too long.

Use Wheel Chocks, Not the Parking Brake

It might feel like second nature to engage the parking brake, but you should avoid it when putting a car into long-term storage. If left engaged for months, the brake pads can actually fuse to the rotors, especially in damp conditions. When you return to drive the car, breaking that bond can damage the braking system, leading to a surprisingly costly repair. Instead, grab a set of wheel chocks. These are simple, inexpensive blocks you place behind the tires to keep the car from rolling. It’s a low-tech but highly effective solution that ensures your car stays put without creating future mechanical headaches for you to deal with.

Protect the Exterior from the Elements

Even if you’re storing your car indoors, it’s still exposed to dust, moisture, and potential pests. The best line of defense for your paint job is a quality car cover. Don’t just grab an old plastic tarp from the garage, as that can trap moisture against the car’s surface and lead to mold, mildew, or even rust. Instead, invest in a cover made from a soft, breathable fabric. This type of material allows air to circulate, keeping the car dry while protecting it from dust, dings, and scratches. A good cover is a small price to pay to ensure your car looks just as good coming out of storage as it did going in.

Care for Your Windshield Wipers

Here’s a small detail that’s incredibly easy to overlook: your windshield wipers. Over time, the rubber blades can stick or even fuse to the glass, especially with fluctuating temperatures. When you go to use them again after a few months, they can tear or leave a stubborn residue on your windshield that’s difficult to remove. To prevent this, you can either lift the wipers away from the glass into their upright service position or place a small piece of plastic wrap under each blade. This creates a simple barrier that stops them from sticking, ensuring they’re ready to go when you are.

Invest in a Quality Car Cover

Outdoor storage isn’t really feasible without a quality car cover. Be sure any car cover you buy for outdoor storage is waterproof and can secure itself to your vehicle. You can easily find universal car covers for less money, but model-specific covers are the best shape for your car’s body and are less likely to fly off in harsh winds. In any case, never use plastic to cover your car because it will easily scratch the paint.

Even if you’re going to store your car inside, it’s worth investing in a quality car cover. Here, you can opt for a more basic cover to protect the fresh wax from getting dirty and dusty. Thicker covers are better if you plan to store other items in the same unit in case something falls.

Although you can put a cover on a car yourself, it helps to have another set of hands for the job. Before you do this, though, ensure all your valuables are out of the compartments. Also make sure that the windows and doors are completely closed.

Besides a car cover, a vehicle jacket could also serve your car well for long-term storage. All you need to do is drive the car onto the jacket, and then throw a soft car cover on it before zipping up the outer jacket. Don’t skip the middle cover layer, or else that plastic jacket will ruin the car’s paint job. Of course, you’ll want to make sure your car is clean, dry, and cool before wrapping it up in the jacket.

Taking Your Car Out of Storage

After months of waiting, the day has finally come to get your car back on the road. While it’s tempting to just hop in and drive off into the sunset, taking a few minutes for a pre-drive inspection will ensure your first trip is a smooth one. Think of it as a simple checklist to wake your car up from its long nap. Following these steps will help you avoid any unwelcome surprises and protect the engine you worked so hard to preserve. The great thing about using a portable storage container is that you can perform all these checks right in your driveway before you even think about hitting the road.

First, give your car a thorough once-over. Reconnect the battery if you removed it, or disconnect the trickle charger. Before you even turn the key, it’s a smart move to check your fluids and consider changing the oil. Old, contaminated oil can cause damage to the engine components, and you want to start the season with a fresh supply circulating through the system. Next, check your tire pressure and inspect the tires for any flat spots that may have formed. Sometimes a short, slow drive around the block is enough to work them out, but if they persist, you may need a replacement.

Now, it’s time to remove all the protective coverings. Take off the car cover and, most importantly, don’t forget to remove anything you used to block openings, like the steel wool you might have placed in the exhaust pipe and air intake to deter pests. Once everything is clear, you can start the engine. Let the car idle for several minutes. This allows the new oil and other fluids to warm up and circulate completely, ensuring every part of the engine is properly lubricated before you put it under load. After it has had a chance to warm up, take it for a gentle test drive to make sure everything feels, sounds, and runs just right.

Ready to Drive? Waking Your Car from Storage

Before you can start driving the car that has been stored for a while, follow these steps:

• Perform a visual inspection under the hood. Check for any signs of leaking fluid or broken hoses.
• Check that the wires are still intact and weren’t tampered with by any animals.
• Also need to check fluid levels of the coolant, brake and transmission fluid. If they’re not full enough, top them off and double check your car for any leaks.
• It is highly recommended for you to take the car out for the oil change right away. Even though you may have changed your oil before putting it into storage. The oil may have disintegrated over time and your car needs fresh and clean oil to function properly.
• The tires are another important element of your car. Check them carefully. You’ll most likely just need to fill them with air.
• If you didn’t place your car on jack stands during storage, your tires may have flat spots. Possibly some minor cracks. The flat spots will typically go away after driving for a few miles. However, in some cases, new tires may be in order.
• Check the car battery to ensure it has enough charge. If you didn’t store the battery properly, it may be completely drained. In this case a new battery may be required.

Let the Engine Idle Before Driving

Once you’ve reconnected the battery and checked the fluids, it’s tempting to just hop in and drive off. But hold on for a few minutes. After your car has been sitting for an extended period, it’s vital to let the engine idle before you hit the road. This allows crucial fluids, like oil and coolant, to circulate properly through the engine. Think of it as a gentle warm-up that ensures all the internal components are lubricated, reducing the risk of damage that can happen when an engine goes from zero to sixty after a long nap.

Letting the car idle for a few minutes is a widely recommended practice. As mechanics and car enthusiasts often advise, this gives the fluids time to warm up and move around the engine before you put any real strain on it. This is also a perfect opportunity for a final check. While the car is running, listen for any unusual sounds or look for warning lights on the dashboard. Catching a potential issue in your driveway is much better than discovering it on the highway.

Finally, it’s a good idea to check your fluid levels one last time after the engine has been idling. Even if you changed the oil before storage, some experts recommend another change right after you take it out. Oil can degrade over time, and fresh oil is cheap insurance for your engine’s health. By taking these simple precautions, you’re setting yourself up for a smooth and trouble-free transition from storage back to the open road.

How Box-n-Go Can Help With Your Car Storage

While Box-n-Go is a storage company that specializes on storage of personal belongings, not cars, we can certainly offer some solid advice. In most cases, when people are looking to store cars, they also need to find good storage for their personal belongings as well. We are here to help. Please feel free to call us at 1-877-269-6461. Box-n-Go and our experienced advisers are ready to assist you with your storage and moving needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

At what point is it considered “long-term” storage? If you know you won’t be driving your car for a month or more, it’s time to start thinking about proper storage prep. This simple rule of thumb helps you avoid common issues like a dead battery or degraded fuel that can happen when a car sits idle for an extended period.

I’m short on time. What are the absolute must-do steps before storing my car? If you can only do a couple of things, focus on the fluids and the battery. Fill the gas tank and add a quality fuel stabilizer to prevent moisture buildup and keep the fuel from breaking down. Then, either connect your battery to a trickle charger or disconnect it completely to ensure it has life when you return. These two steps prevent some of the most common and frustrating post-storage problems.

Do I really have to put my car on jack stands? That seems complicated. While using jack stands is the best way to prevent flat spots on your tires, it’s not your only option. A much simpler alternative is to inflate your tires to the maximum recommended pressure listed on the tire’s sidewall. This gives them extra support to handle the car’s weight while it sits, which is a great way to protect them without all the heavy lifting.

Can I just cancel my insurance while my car is in storage to save money? You should never completely cancel your insurance on a stored car. Most storage facilities require it, and more importantly, it protects you from things like theft, fire, or other damage. Instead, call your insurance provider and let them know the car is being stored. You can often reduce your coverage to just comprehensive, which lowers your premium while keeping your investment protected.

Why shouldn’t I use the parking brake during storage? It feels natural to use the parking brake, but for long-term storage, it’s a bad idea. Over several months, the brake pads can actually fuse to the rotors, especially in humid conditions, which can lead to a costly repair. A much safer method is to use a simple set of wheel chocks to keep the car from rolling.

Key Takeaways

• Protect Your Car Before You Park It: A little prep work goes a long way in preventing costly repairs. Before storing your car, give it a deep clean, change the oil, fill the gas tank with a fuel stabilizer, and properly inflate the tires to keep it in top condition.
• Choose the Right Shelter: Where you store your car is crucial for protecting it from the elements and potential damage. An indoor space is ideal, but no matter where you park it, always use a high-quality, breathable car cover to shield it from dust, moisture, and scratches.
• Ease It Back Onto the Road: Don’t just start the engine and drive off after months of storage. Perform a quick inspection of fluids and tires, check for pests, and let the car idle for several minutes to allow the oil to circulate, ensuring a smooth and safe first ride.

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