News ID: 890
Publish Date : 09 November 2017 - 13:01

How to Store a Car for an extended period

If you are going away, staying with someone, or simply participating in a large event, you may not be using your car much — or at all. In this case, you may simply forget about your wheels and leave your vehicle gathering dust — and bird poo — in the driveway.
Khodrocar - However, if your car is going to sit around for an extended period of time, more than perhaps a few weeks, you should take steps to store it properly. Otherwise, mechanical problems can arise from disuse.

*Change the oil and filter. If the car is being stored for an extended period of time, measured in years, talk to a mechanic about using oils without additives, which may include slightly caustic detergents.

*Inflate the tires to proper pressure. If you are storing for the winter in a cold climate, check the manual for proper pressures.Over inflation while in storage may help to prevent flat spots. After storage expect some thumping tires until they are driven 10 miles (16 km) or so.

* Clean and wax the car. Be sure to wash under the car to remove any dirt, especially from the the wheel wells. Clean the interior extensively, being especially vigilant about all food scraps and particles; these can attract small animals. Removing the carpets for heated indoor storage will prevent them from becoming musty. Do not use Armor All® or similar products; these contain water, which may become trapped inside the car.

* Open a window slightly if stored indoors, but not enough to allow small animals inside. Put the top up if it's a convertible. Stuff a rag into the air intake and exhaust to prevent animals from nesting, covering this with a metal screen (1/4 inch square screen is useful here). Some suggest using strong-smelling chemicals like soap or mothballs to keep animals away, but these can leave a smell in the car.

* Place a piece of plastic wrap on the windshield under the wiper blades, to prevent the rubber from sticking to the glass. Better yet, remove the blades completely and store them in a warm place (perhaps beside the battery and carpets). If you remove the blades, be sure to pad the ends of the wiper arms, which can scratch the glass if inadvertently turned on. You can also leave the wipers in place and just wrap them with plain plastic wrap.

* Release the handbrake. If the brake is left on, the brake pads can stick to the rotors. Place chocks under the tires to prevent movement, which is even more effective than the brake, anyway.
 
Source: WikiHow.com