While Winter in Southern California may be warmer than what the rest of the nation is experiencing, it is still important to note essentials when storing vehicles in the wintertime.
Keep Out Moisture
It’s always important to find a dry location to store the vehicle, or at least a location that does not experience high amounts of moisture. Moisture can lead to fungal problems, among other things, that wear and tear on the vehicle. A simple tip is to always cover the vehicle with a tarp or vehicle-covers to prevent sun damage to exterior and interior. Also putting tire covers helps to prevent dry rot and cracks which commonly occur when a vehicle sits unused for a while.
Change Your Oil
It’s also highly recommended to change the oil before storage for the fact that oil is chemically stable for an entire year while sitting in the engine. After that, the nature of the oil begins to disintegrate and could cause problems for the engine, which is why if you plan on storing your vehicle in a storage facility for longer than a year to go ahead and fog the engine. Fogging is done by spraying Fogging Oil (found in most hardware stores) into spark plug holes while turning the engine to ensure the oil coat is evenly spread across engine surfaces. This helps to prevent rust, corrosion, and the engine seizing up in storage.
Use a Fuel Stabilizer
Another essential tip for storing your vehicle for long periods of time is to put fuel stabilizer in the gas tank a day or two before placing the vehicle in storage so that the stabilizer can flow through the entire fuel system which helps in preserving the gasoline. Products such as Seafoam and Sta-Bil will do the trick. It is very important to fill the entire gasoline tank before storage to preserve the tank as condensation of water vapor on any exposed tank walls could lead to oxidation and damage. All fluids, especially anti-freeze, should also be topped up when placing vehicle in storage.
About the Battery
Some individuals suggest removing the battery when putting a vehicle in storage and leaving the battery on a maintainer at home to best preserve the battery’s integrity. Of course this is on a case-by-case basis, as some vehicles require the battery to stay connected to the car at all times in order to preserve the computer memory and modules. Speaking to a dealership or expert on your car’s make and design will provide the best answer in regards to proper battery storage.
For the best storage in Agua Dulce, Agua Dulce is the perfect location to store a vehicle, as they remain relatively dry year-round, the exception being when it rains, of course. Parking begins as low as $40 per month and is affordable, safe, and prime in its amenities. For more information, call Agua Dulce Storage at 661-268-0407. Or visit the website at (https://aguadulcestorage.com/).
