how to prepare your car for long-term storage (checklist)

even if many people think of doing the opposite, filling up the fuel tank is the first step you should take if you plan to store the car for longer than a month.
the reason for this is to prevent moisture from accumulating inside the fuel tank. another reason is to make sure the sealings in the tank will not dry out.
you can also add fuel stabilizer additives to ensure the fuel won’t deteriorate for the next 12 months.

there has also always been a long debate if you should change the engine oil before or after long-term storage since the engine oil is aging. we recommend changing the engine oil before long-term storage because old engine oil can be rough to gaskets and other parts inside the engine.
it is better to have fresh engine oil that will protect the engine’s inside rather than damage it.
related: oil change: how to change engine oil at home in 10 steps

another easy but important thing to do before long-term storage is to fill up all the fluids in your vehicle. this includes power steering fluid, coolant, transmission fluid, brake fluid, and engine oil.
also, check the coolant’s freezing point with a tool to prevent it from freezing if you store your car in a cold garage. coolant also prevents the engine from rusting on the inside, so you definitely want to make sure it is not only water in the cooling system.

the ideal location for a car should be well ventilated and free from moisture. a heated garage is also something you want to have if you live in a colder country, at least a storage place that holds the temperature above the freezing point. it should also preferably be sealed against rodents. rodents cause devastating damage to the seats and electrical components of a car.

if you are not going to use your car for more than six months, it is advisable to ensure that all the paperwork is done. you may also need to inform your insurance agent that you will not be using the car. this will protect you if something happens to the car.
if you decide not to renew your insurance, it is advisable to set reminders not to drive a car that is not insured when you return.

tires can become deformed and create flat spots if standing for a long time on the same point. this can cause vibrations that can be difficult to get rid of after taking your car out of storage. use jack stands to release the pressure on the car’s tires.
if you do not have any jack stands, you should make sure that the tires are inflated with the right tire pressure.

one thing that is destroying a car battery really fast is standing in low temperatures with low charge. to prevent this, you can charge the car battery fully and remove the battery terminals before storage.
cars always drain a small amount of power from the battery even if the car is not used. if you remove the terminals, you prevent your battery from draining and needing to jump-start the car when you return. you can also take the car battery into a warm place during storage.

a car cover protects your car from many harmful particles in the air, including moisture and thus from rust. it also keeps your car protected from birds, cats, or other animals that want to sit on your car and therefore cause scratches.
a good car cover should cover the whole car and not just small parts of it.

a good practice before long-term storage to prevent your doors from freezing or getting damaged is to lubricate the hood, doors, and trunk latches with silicone spray.
this will prevent them from rusting and getting stuck when taking your car out from the storage.

even if it is far down in this list; washing and cleaning both the exterior and interior properly before long-term storage is very important.
asphalt and other harmful particles can get stuck in the car’s paint job and cause the car to start rusting during the long-term storage. therefore it is important to remove this by making a car wash with special detergents.
cleaning the interior is also a good practice to keep rats and other rodents out of the car.

related: how to prevent rust on your car during the winter

mice, rats, and other rodents love to make the exhaust pipe their home because of house material access from inside the mufflers.
therefore, to keep them away from there, it is good to cover the tailpipes before long-term storage. just remember to remove it after the storage!

if you have the opportunity, you should definitely check your car every now and then and even take it out for a ride. a test drive with the car ensures that the moving parts are lubricated. during the test drive, you can turn on the air conditioning and other electrical functions to make sure they are still working.

if you are not going to use your car for a long time, it is advisable to use auto-stoppers instead of the parking brake. the fusion of the brake pads and discs occurs when you park the car for a long time. there is a big risk that you will have problems releasing the car’s parking brake when you return if you engaged it before the storage.

unfortunately, mice, rats, and other rodents love to live in cars. they find breeding grounds in the hood and inside the cabin of the car. the biggest problem is that they love to eat electrical wires, which can cause serious damages to your electrical system. to keep rodents away, you can also cover the exhaust system and air intake openings.
peppermint is known to repel rodents. you can spray a little on some cotton balls and then place them in strategic places where rodents like to hide.
you can learn more here: how to keep mice, rats & other rodents out of your car

if your car is parked in a location with high moisture, you definitely want to place silica gel packs or other desiccants (dryness-promoting) products to prevent dampness.
this will prevent your interior from moisture and mold, which can cause bad smells, which can be really difficult to get rid of later.