Preparing Your Vehicle for Long Term Storage Do you have a car that you use only during the summer? Are your leaving for an extended vacation? Whatever the reason may be, you need to store your vehicle for a long period of time. Prepare your vehicle for long term storage to prevent any damage or issues such as a dead battery, and future costly repairs.
By following the tips provided, you are ensuring that your car is road ready when you get back! We at Middle Country Automotive in Selden NY 11784 and Centereach NY 11720, want to ensure that you are ready to get back to normal when you get back from vacation. Our technicians are experts in all auto repair, auto inspection and brake repair services!
Keep Your Vehicle Covered
The garage is the best place to store your car. The garage will protect your vehicle from the elements. If you do not have a garage, there are many public storage facilities are reasonable prices to choose from. If your car is to be kept outdoors, purchase a weatherproof car cover. This ensures that your car will be dry and clean.
If storing in a garage, make sure to cover any openings in your vehicle, such as the exhaust pipe. Also ensure that any cracks or openings along the way or door are sealed to prevent animals such as mice from getting inside.
Change Your Oil
Only change your oil is your plan on storing your car for over a month. Contaminants in your oil can damage your engine over time. Call Middle Country Automotive today to schedule an oil change in Centereach or Selden.
Charge Your Battery
If the car is not being used, the battery will lose it’s charge over time. Try to arrange for someone to come and charge your battery every two weeks and drive it for about 10-15 minutes. This will maintain the charge of the battery. If such an arrangement is not possible, disconnect the negative battery. Middle Country Automotive will inspect your battery for you! Call us today.
Do Not Engage Parking Brake
Do not use your parking brake if your are leaving your car in storage. If the parking brake is engaged, the brake pads make contact with the rotors. If left this way for too long, they may fuse together. It is recommended to have your brakes inspected before leaving your car in storage. Middle Country Automotive specializes in all brake repair services! Contact us today or schedule an appointment online.
Have Your Vehicle Washed
Why would you need to have your car cleaned if your going away? Water stains, bird droppings, and other dirt stains that are left can damage the your paint. Also, make sure to clean your wheels and the undersides of the fenders.
Top Off the Gas
By topping off the gas, you are prevents your seals from drying out. This also stops moisture from penetrating your fuel tank.
Check Tire Pressure
See to it that your tires are inflates to the owner manuals recommended pressure. If your car is not driven for a period of time, this can cause flat stops in your tires from the weight of your car. You can bring your car into Middle Country Automotive, we will make sure your tires are properly inflated and the tire pressure is adequate. Arrange for someone to drive your car for a few minutes every few weeks.
If you are leaving for an extended period (more than 6 months), it’s best to take the wheels off and leave your car on stands.
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