Auto Storage Tips

Leaving a vehicle sit for an extended period of time, even only a winter, can cause damage to certain components. Follow these guidelines so that after the winter thaw your car will be no worse off then the last day you drove it.

1.Wash the car to remove all contaminants which may damage the paint over time.
2.Change the motor oil while it is still hot to help remove contaminants from the bottom of the oil pan.
3.Fill the gas tank with premium gas and add a fuel stabilizer available at major auto parts stores (Stabil).
4.Remove the battery and hook it up to a self-regulating charger. (Battery Tender)
5.Run air conditioning on warm/recirculate to dry the interior, then click off air conditioning button for a minute before shutting fan off to dry out the evaporator.
6.Take the brake pads out of the calipers and spray the rotors with WD-40 to prevent rust formation.
7.Take out the spark plugs and put a tablespoon of oil down each plug hole. Put the car in third gear and give it a push to move the pistons up and down which will distribute the oil evenly. If storing for long time, fill up the engine with fresh oil. Re-install the spark plugs.
8.Replace radiator coolant if it hasn't been recently. If storing for long time, drain the coolant.
9.Place the car on four jack stands under the proper jacking points, with weight off the wheels but not hanging above the ground. Leave the parking brake off.
10.Seal the exhaust tail pipe with cling wrap to prevent moisture from entering the exhaust.
11.Place an appropriate car cover over the vehicle.
12.Throw some mothballs on the floor to keep out bugs or mice.

When it is time to remove the vehicle from storage, follow these helpful tips:

1.Take out the spark plugs and put a tablespoon of oil down each plug hole. Put the car in third gear and give it a push to move the pistons up and down which will distribute the oil evenly. Do not re-install the spark plugs!
2.Remove the ECU and hazard fuse from the engine compartment fuse box (Carbuerated vehicles need to have the choke turned off).
3.Unplug the large two wire plugs to the distributor or disconnect the external coil.
4.Engage the starter until the oil light on the dash goes out.
5.Replace the spark plugs, fuses, and plug the distributor connection back together.
6.Start the engine and maintain engine speed at 2500 RPM for three minutes.
7.If you placed WD-40 on the brake rotors during storage use brake parts cleaner to remove any residue.