Your car offers you opportunity and freedom. Getting behind the wheel of your vehicle allows you to go anywhere and explore. However, there may be times when you don’t need your car for an extended period of time. Maybe you are going away on an extended trip. Maybe you got a job in the city and you plan to use public transportation. Maybe you’re planning for a time when you won’t have a driver’s license. All of these are valid reasons why you may need to store your care.
When it comes to leaving your vehicle in storage, there are a few steps you’ll want to take to protect your car. After all, this is a huge investment and you don’t want to leave it in bad conditions for a long time. While it may seem silly to check on and improve all these areas of your car before you’re going to let it sit idle for a period of time, this is an essential step. Here are a few of the things you’ll want to check before storing your car long-term.
Find a great storage unit.
First, it’s important to know where you’re going to leave your car. Self-storage options are a great way to go. Look for great customer service and coverage options that are large enough for your vehicle and any other belongings you need to store. Chances are you can find a storage facility in any part of the country that is open to new customers.
Mesa self storage in Arizona is a great example of affordable storage units that can give you peace of mind your property is protected. Make a reservation for however long you need and extend if necessary. With different unit sizes for your storage needs, you can easily find full coverage for your vehicle.
See how storage impacts your car insurance.
Owning a car can be an expensive venture. Not only do you have to factor in the cost of the vehicle, but you also need to budget for your insurance policy. Your car insurance can include a number of coverage options. From collision coverage to comprehensive coverage, you need to find the auto insurance quote that covers the accident forgiveness and property damage you need.
Each auto policy is different, so feel free to compare car insurance quotes to see what insurance company will work best for you. As you are researching, see what exclusions they offer for car storage. You may be able to suspend a policy or pause coverage while you aren’t driving your car. This can save you money as you store your vehicle.
Fill up the gas and change the oil.
One thing to check as you go to store your car is the gas and oil levels. While it may seem counterintuitive to fill your tank if you aren’t going anywhere, this is an important step. Having fresh oil and a full tank of gas will ensure that rust or other problems don’t happen while your car is sitting idle.
Check potential areas of damage.
When you leave a vehicle for a long period of time, there are a number of problems that could occur. Cars are built to move, not to stay still for months at a time. Take preventative steps to minimize wear on the vehicle. Consider propping it up on jacks so the wheels don’t take the weight for a long time and plug your tailpipe to avoid excess moisture building up in that area. If you won’t be able to drive your car every so often, these are just a few of the steps to take to protect your car as it is stored.
