Storing your car for a long time can seem like a chore, but it doesn’t have to be. Whether you’re a snowbird heading south for the winter, a college student parking your ride for the semester, or someone in the military with a temporary relocation, knowing how to store a car long-term can save you a lot of money and headaches down the road.
This guide covers everything you need to know to keep your car in tip-top shape while in storage. We’ll cover finding the right storage spot, prepping your car for its long nap, and even how to wake it up when you’re ready to hit the road again.
Deciding for Long-Term Car Storage: Is It Right for You?
Long-term car storage means parking and not using your car for 30 days or more. It’s different from leaving your car in the garage for a week or two. You might need to store your car long-term if you’re going away for a while, like for a job, school, or military service. Or maybe you have a classic car you want to keep safe and sound for years.
Before you decide to store your car long-term, there are a few things to think about:
- How long you’ll be gone: Long-term storage might not be necessary if it’s just a few weeks.
- The cost of storage: It might be better to have someone drive your car occasionally instead of storing it or selling it now and buying another later.
Outdoors vs. Indoor Comfort: Choosing a Storage Location
Choosing the right place to store your car is a big deal. You’ve got two main choices: inside or outside. Both have advantages and disadvantages, so let’s look at each.
Pros and Cons of Indoor Storage
Keeping your car indoors is usually the best option. You can store it in your garage or rent a self-storage space big enough to fit your car.
The US loves self-storage, southerners in particular. The country added 25.6 million rentable square feet in 2023, of which almost 10 million were in the South alone, according to Storganise.
It’s like giving your car its little apartment, safe and sound from the weather and any nosy critters. Here are some things to think about when it comes to indoor storage.
Pros
Cons
Weighing the Options of Outdoor Storage
Storing your car outside is like camping—it gets some fresh air, but it’s exposed to the elements.
Here’s the lowdown on outdoor storage:
Pros
Cons
A carport can be a good choice if you store your car outside but want to protect it. It’s like a shelter for your vehicle, protecting it from the sun, rain, and snow.
At Alan’s Factory Outlet, we have a large selection of carports perfect for long-term outdoor car storage.
A Metal Garage as the Ultimate Long-Term Car Storage Solution
If you want to pamper your car while in storage, a garage is best, keeping it safe from bad weather and pesky critters.
Shielding Your Investment: The Benefits of a Metal Garage
Like a carport, a metal garage protects your car from rain, snow, and those scorching summer days. Plus, it keeps out those pesky critters that like to make a home in your car’s engine.
And let’s not forget about thieves – a metal garage makes it harder for them to get to your prized possession. Alan’s Factory Outlet offers a wide variety of metal garages perfect for long-term car storage.
Finding the Right Fit: Metal Garage Size Options for Car Storage
When choosing a metal garage for your car, size matters. You need to think about how many cars you want to store and if you need extra space for other stuff. Here’s a quick look at some common garage sizes:
- One Car: 12′ x 20′ garage
- Two Cars: 20′ x 20′ garage
- Three Cars: 30′ x 25′ garage
- Four Cars: 20′ x 40′ garage
Investing in Protection: The Cost of Metal Garages for Car Storage
Of course, all this protection comes at a cost. The following table shows the price range of different metal garage sizes.
| Size of Garage | Price Range |
|---|---|
| One car (12′ x 20′) | $4,190 – $4,590 |
| Two cars (20′ x 20′) | $5,500 – $5,950 |
| Three cars (30′ × 25′) | $9,369 – $9,909 |
| Four cars (20′ x 40′) | $8,465 – $9,005 |
Metal garages can be a bit more expensive than other storage options, but consider them an investment in your car’s future.
Prepping Your Car for a Long Nap: How to Store a Car Long-Term
Preparing your car for long-term storage isn’t simply putting a cover on and parking it somewhere. There’s a lot to consider, so it wakes up refreshed and ready to go. Here are the essential steps to follow.
Keep the Engine Healthy: Fluids, Filters, and Fuel
Before you park your car for extended periods of time, it’s important to give its engine block some care. This care means checking all the fluids, filters, and fuel to ensure they’re in good shape.
Top Off Your Gas Tank
You might think an empty gas tank is best for storage, but that’s not true. A full tank with a fuel stabilizer is better because it helps keep moisture out, prevents rust, and prevents the fuel from going bad.
Fluids and Filters
Dirty oil and other fluids tend to break down faster than clean ones. So, change the engine oil and check your brake fluid and coolant levels before storage so they’re all fresh and topped off.
Keep the Battery Charged and Corrosion-Free
Car batteries aren’t designed to be kept idle for too long. When you store your car for a long time, the battery can lose its charge and even corrode through calendar aging.
Disconnecting the Battery (Optional)
One way to slow down discharge is to disconnect the battery. Doing so will stop any electrical drain and keep your battery from dying. However, batteries can discharge even if disconnected, so this only works if you store it for only one or two months.
Battery Chargers and Maintainers
A better option is to use a trickle charger or battery maintainer. This device charges your battery periodically, preventing corrosion.
Prepare Your Tires for Long-Term Storage
Your car’s tires are like your feet–they’ll get sore if you stand up for too long. When you store your car for a long time, the tires can develop flat spots and cracks. You can prevent that by:
- Maintaining proper tire pressure while the car is in storage
- Using tire stoppers or jack stands to take the weight off
You should also release the parking brakes, as brake pads tend to stick with rust.
Keep the Interior Fresh and Critter-Free
Nobody wants to return to a car that smells like a locker room after a football game. Keeping your car clean and fresh is important for long-term vehicle storage.
Giving Your Car a Thorough Cleaning
Give your car a good cleaning inside and out before storing it.
Wipe down the seats, vacuum the carpets, and clean out the glove compartment. Doing so will help prevent nasty odors from developing.
Discouraging Critters
Critters like mice, rats, and insects love making themselves home in stored cars. Try putting a few peppermint oil-soaked cotton balls in your car to keep them out.
You can also stuff steel wool, aluminum foil, or rag cloth into any openings, such as the exhaust pipe or air intake.
Protect Your Paint Job
A car’s first impression comes from the paint job. You want to protect it from dust, water, and the occasional scratch when it’s in storage. The best way to do that is to use a car cover.
Choosing the Right Car Cover for Long-Term Car Storage
A car cover is like a raincoat for your car. It helps protect the paint from the sun, rain, snow, and even bird droppings. A weatherproof cover is a must if you store your car outside. If you store it inside, a breathable cover will be enough to prevent moisture buildup.
For the best protection in any situation, choose an all-weather car cover.
How to Take Your Car Out of Hibernation
When it’s time to get your car back on the road, there are a few things you need to do to make sure it’s ready to roll:
- Check all the fluids and top them off if needed
- Reconnect the battery if you disconnected it
- Check your tires’ pressure and inflate them if necessary
You can now take your car for a quick drive to ensure everything works properly.
Bringing It All Home: How to Store a Car Long-Term Checklist
To make things easy, here’s a checklist of everything you need to do to store your car long-term:
Pre-Storage Check List
- Clean your car inside and out
- Top off the fuel tank and add a stabilizer
- Change the oil and top off other fluids
- Find a good storage location like a garage, carport, or storage facility
- Disconnect the battery or hook it up to a maintainer
- Check tire pressure and mount your car on jack stands
- Release the parking brakes
- Put a car cover on
During-Storage Check List
- Check on your vehicle periodically
- Keep the battery charged
- Check the tire pressure frequently
Post-Storage Startup Check List
- Reconnect the battery
- Check the fluids
- Check the tire pressure and inflate the tires if necessary
Choose Alan’s Factory Outlet Carports and Garages for Long-Term Storage
Do you want to know how to store a car long-term in a safe and secure place? Alan’s Factory Outlet has a wide variety of carports and garages that are perfect for the job.
Our carports provide affordable protection from the elements, while our garages offer a more enclosed and secure space.
Choose one of our pre-fab garage kits or purchase a custom design using our 3D garage and carport builder. Your car will thank you for it!
