|
eTyres care about our customers. The
following article may be of interest.
How to prepare your automobile for long term
storage
by Jason Miller
If you are leaving town for an extended period of time
or are storing a vehicle for seasonal use, there are
several things you can do to protect your automobile and
insure it will be ready for use when you retrieve it.
Taking the time to prepare your car right will save you
a lot of grief and money later on.
The first step is to find a suitable location for long
term storage. This is critical. The location should be
secure, dry and clean. Putting it in a dusty barn is
probably one of the worst places for you car. Make sure
the storage place is dry and free of moisture. Moisture,
humidity and condensation are the biggest hazards to
exterior, interior and engine. Rust and corrosion can
form on exposed metal and mold and mildew can grow in
the interior as well. The best place is a climate
controlled storage facility. Just look under storage in
the yellow pages and there should be some options for
you.
Also, you will need to rodent proof your storage as
well. Rats can destroy the wiring system. They can also
get into the interior and build nests there. One option
is to place rat poison or some other pest control device
around the car. Ma If the storage unit has power to it,
I would recommend getting a noise box that repels rats
and mice. You can buy them at your local hardware store.
These are very safe and will not hurt pets or children.
Once you have picked a suitable location, it is time to
prepare your car.
Step one is to change the oil and replace it with a
synthetic. Changing the oil before storage will reduce
moisture in the system and help prevent corrosion in the
engine. The reason for synthetic oil is because of the
coating properties and it will not break down as quickly
as conventional oil.
Now you will need to fill the gas tank completely full.
Most people siphon out the gas and leave the tank empty.
This is not correct and the moisture left in the empty
tank will encourage rust. Fill the tank as high as you
can and leave it. This will prevent moisture from
forming and prevent rust accumulation. It is also
prudent to add in a gas stabilizer as well.
The next step is the battery. If the vehicle is in for
short term storage, you may want to hook up battery
charger to the battery. This will insure all electrical
equipment like stereo will have power and any saved
settings will be there when you return. For longer
periods of time, remove the battery. Batteries can crack
and leak acid everywhere. In this case it is best to
just remove it and replace it when you return.
The next area to prepare is the external weather
stripping and tires. The best product to use for this is
a lithium grease. Stay away from petroleum based
products. They will eventually dry out and crack the
rubber. To apply the grease, spray it on a rag first and
then wipe it on the tires and weather stripping. Be sure
to cover the gaskets in the doors, sunroof and trunk.
For the interior, use a leather or vinyl conditioner.
This will safeguard these surfaces from cracking and
drying.
The last step is to thoroughly clean the exterior. After
you have washed it, apply a coat of wax and buff it out.
If you have an air buffer, this process will be a lot
easier and will be more effective. Then cover the car
with a good quality car cover. If you follow these basic
steps, your expensive automobile should be in the same
shape you left it before your journey.
About the Author
Jason is the webmaster for Red Hill Supply - Online Air
Tools - http://www.redhillsupply.com |
