It's not uncommon to encounter situations where you will need to store your vehicle for an extended period of time. You may be travelling overseas, being deployed in the military or taking up a new job in a distant location. 

Whatever the reason, preparing your car for vehicle storage is an important step towards keeping it in good condition. It is not enough to simply place the car in the storage unit and leave. There are important preparation steps you need to take to have the vehicle ready for long-term storage.

Clean the vehicle

It is important to leave the car clean if you will be storing it for a long time. Stains on the vehicle can damage the paint and lead to rusting of the metal components.

If the wheels and fenders are muddy or full of debris, make sure you clean those as well. It's also a great idea to add a coat of wax to the vehicle before you store it.

Carry out an oil change

If you're storing your vehicle for an extended period of time, it is highly recommended to change the oil. The current oil in the engine may be contaminated, and it will settle inside the engine components.

By carrying out an oil change before vehicle storage, the debris and other contaminants will be removed and replaced with a fresh and clean oil layer.

Fill the tank

Another tip for long-term vehicle storage is to fill up the tank with fuel. A full tank will prevent moisture from accumulating within the tank.

You can also purchase a fuel stabilizer. This will prevent ethanol form building up in the fuel tank, and it will protect the engine from rust.

Charge the battery

If the car battery is unused for extended periods of time, it will eventually lose charge. Make sure you begin by charging your battery before taking it to vehicle storage.

Next, have someone regularly start the car and drive it around at least once every two weeks. If this is not an option, you can choose to disconnect the negative terminal of the battery to prevent it from draining charge over time. This is an effective way of making sure the vehicle will start when you get back.  

Turn off the parking brake

When the parking brake is engaged for a long period of time, the brake pads may end up fusing with the rotors. It is a better idea to use a tire stopper to prevent the car from moving.