Preparing Your Car for Long-Term Storage Without Battery Issues

Leaving your vehicle unused for a long time runs the risk of several problems, including dead batteries and corroded engine components, which could later render the vehicle unusable unless you pay significant repair bills. Nevertheless, by taking key precautions beforehand, you can significantly minimize the most common car storage troubles that may arise during the storage period. 

Interior and Exterior Care

Give your car a thorough pre-storage detail cleaning inside and out. Vacuum away dirt and clean all surfaces to remove grime buildup while making pest nesting spaces less inviting. Fully dry the interior too. Wash and wax the exterior as well, including wheel wells and undercarriage. Clean up leaked oils or other stuck-on grime.

Fluid Care

Change the motor oil and filters since used oil contains corrosive contaminants. Cooling system flushes also help remove built up deposits and old coolant. Add fresh gas treatment stabilizers to minimize fuel system gumming. Consider draining gas tanks for longest duration storage extending through full winter seasons.

For the windshield washer reservoir, antifreeze mixes prevent fluid freezing and lower chances of cracks. Inspect other fluid levels – power steering, transmission, brake and transfer case fill needs. Replace oils showing darker coloration signaling contamination presence.

Pest and Mold Prevention

Rodents chewing through wires for nest material can wreak havoc on your stored car’s electrical system. Avoid this by eliminating appeal as shelter. Seal hiding spots using foam inserts in open cavities. Baking soda dusted inside also repels small creatures. Place tamper-evident sticky monitors fully around the vehicle to detect any pest access attempts during storage.

Humidity encourages mold growth inside unattended vehicles. Combat this by putting moisture absorbing items like charcoal bags, cat litter or removable dehumidifier canisters to actively keep interiors dry.

Battery Care

To maintain starter battery charge, the experts at Clore Automotive say to use a smart battery maintainer for multiple batteries suited to your car’s voltage system. These safer trickle chargers automatically monitor and deliver enough current to keep batteries at optimal levels without overfilling. They compensate for natural self-discharge over time that slowly drains unused batteries into failure. Steady energy supply also minimizes harmful lead sulfate deposits internally that can permanently reduce cold cranking amp capacities.

Part Protection

Protect other components from dust, dirt and critters by covering intakes. Tires slowly deflate over time, so add jack stands lifting weight off wheels if storing long term. Sprinkle talcum powder on rubber window and door seals to keep them pliable and prevent cracking.

Mechanical System Protection

Beyond basic part protection, several mechanical systems require attention for long-term storage. Disengage the parking brake to prevent cable seizing or brake pad adhesion to rotors – use wheel chocks instead for security. For manual transmissions, leave the car in neutral rather than in gear to avoid clutch plate sticking. Consider removing spark plugs and adding a small amount of engine oil directly into cylinders to prevent internal corrosion, then rotate the engine manually a few times to distribute the protective coating. 

For vehicles with hydraulic suspensions, leave the system pressurized to maintain proper seal lubrication. These steps help preserve crucial mechanical components that could otherwise require expensive repairs after extended storage periods.

Conclusion 

Always fill your gas tank completely before storing your car to avoid moisture build up in any partially filled containers you may have stored inside; this will help maintain the condition of those stored items. Drive several miles to circulate the new fluids protecting systems. Ensure brakes, cooling and other vehicle operations perform normally beforehand as well. Using these across-system defensive actions makes resuming regular car use after storage much simpler.