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ShowSmart » News, Articles & Stories » Car, Truck and RV » Storing your Auto
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Seasonal Tips for Automotive
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Time to get your automotive equipment in order.
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Storing your car for a long time, involves more than just parking it
in a garage and forgetting about it.
Find out the best storage environment and what checks
you should make on your car to avoid costly repairs or replacements
when it returns to the road. When available, follow the manufacturers
guidelines.
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Why is it important to properly store
my vehicle?
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If you don't, you could be up for expensive repairs. If
you're going to store your vehicle for at least a year, you need to have
its engine started periodically and given a run.
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Where's the best place to store my vehicle?
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The ideal spot is a well ventilated and dry garage. Don't
park your vehicle under trees for a long time because sap and bird droppings
can damage the paint.
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How should I prepare my car for storage?
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Clean the inside and remove all foreign objects, especially food scraps
Wash your vehicle, chamois dry and apply a good quality car wax if needed
Drive for approximately two kilometres frequently applying the brakes
to help dry them out
For extra protection, drape your car with a cover made from a natural
material that breathes. Never use plastic as it can damage the paint
Don't do anything special for short term (up to two
months) storage.
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How should I prepare the engine for
storage?
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When storing for one to six months:
Park the car on level ground
Leave in park (or in gear for a manual)
Leave the hand brake off
Chock the wheels
Block the air intake with a lint-free rag
Block the exhaust pipe with a rag
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Should I carry out any servicing beforehand?
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Change your engine oil and oil filter if it will be more than six months
(three months for diesel vehicles) between the last change and the end
of the storage period.
Change your engine coolant if it will be longer than
two years between the last coolant change and the end of the storage period.
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Should I register and insure my vehicle during storage?
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If its registration expires during the storage period,
contact your local authorities for advice. Check that you have adequate
insurance cover for the storage term, especially if someone else will
drive it while you're away.
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Are there any places that will look after my vehicle while I'm
away?
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Yes. Check in our directory under Car Storage or in the
Yellow Pages under 'storage' and 'parking'.
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What checks should be made on my car while it's in storage?
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If your car is being stored for more than two months, a
monthly check on key components could save you money in costly repairs or
replacements when your car returns to the road.
Check the floor under your car for signs of possible oil, brake, fluid
or coolant leaks
Check and top up as required - battery, coolant, brake fluid and oil
levels
Check tire pressures
Start engine and run for 10 minutes
Run airconditioner for about one minute
If your car has a manual transmission, depress the clutch pedal several
times
Depress the brake pedal several times
Turn steering wheel from side to side
Move your car so that each wheel revolves a few times.
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How should I care for the engine while my car is in storage?
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When storing for more than six months:
Remove your spark plugs, then squirt about 10 ml of engine oil into
the engine via the spark plug holes
Replace spark plugs
Disable your ignition (the method varies from vehicle to vehicle)
Crank your engine for about three revolutions
Block air intake with a lint-free cloth
Block exhaust pipe with a cloth.
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Do I have to disconnect the battery?
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Note: Batteries contain acid, therefore avoid contact with
eyes, skin, clothing and paint finishes. They give off an explosive gas,
so avoid sparks and flames, and never smoke near a battery.
Only disconnect the battery if you're storing your vehicle for more than
four weeks. Disconnect the battery terminals, negative first.
You'll find safety procedures in the maintenance section of your owner's
manual. If this isn't available:
Turn all switches off
Remove all metal jewellery - rings, bracelets, watches etc.
Wear eye protection.
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If I disconnect the battery, will this stop it from going flat?
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No, it's normal for car batteries to discharge over time.
To get the best charge retention, a battery should be:
Filled to the maximum level with distilled water and fully charged
Wiped clean and dry
Stored in a well ventilated, cool, dry area
Slow charged once a month.
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Will my car's computer lose it's memory
when the battery is disconnected?
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This depends on the make and model of your car. Consult
your owner's handbook for any special start-up procedures required when
you reconnect your battery.
Note: When you reconnect your battery, you may need to enter a security
code for the stereo to work.
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Should my tire pressure be adjusted
before storage?
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Yes, increase the pressure to 35-40 psi. This will help
to compensate for normal air loss. Always resume correct pressure before
you go back on the road.
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Is it necessary to jack my vehicle
up to prevent tire damage?
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It should be jacked up and supported on stands if:
You have radial tires (the word radial will be moulded on the tire sidewall)
and your vehicle won't be moved for six months or more
Your tires are of cross ply construction (usually fitted
to older cars) and your vehicle won't be moved for four or more weeks.
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Does gas 'go off' when stored?
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Gas will store well for six months, provided the storage
area is dry and not exposed to extreme weather conditions which may cause
condensation in the fuel tank.
Draining your fuel system and storing your car 'dry' could result in costly
repairs. You may even need to carry out costly repairs to the fuel system
before your car is driveable again.
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What should I do with an LPG-powered
vehicle?
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Turn off the valve on the LPG cylinder while your engine
is running on gas and allow it to run until it stalls. This will use up
any gas in the lines. Don't store the vehicle near open drains.
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Could my brakes seize if they're not
used?
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Damp, humid conditions could cause wheel cylinder or
calliper seizure, particularly if your outer seals are in poor condition.
Leave your parking brake in the off position and the wheels securely chocked.
This may prevent shoes or pads from locking to the drums or discs. Always
check and overhaul your brakes before you go back on the road.
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Could my clutch seize when it isn't
used?
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The clutch on a manual car can lock to the flywheel if
the car is stored in damp conditions. If this happens, your transmission
may need to be removed to free the clutch plate.
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What should I do before I get my car
back on the road?
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Check and top up as required the battery, coolant, brake fluid and oil
Check tire pressures
Clean the windscreen and wiper blades
Check brake operation before driving off and again before joining traffic
Arrange for the vehicle to have a service and safety
check.
Remove cloths from intake and exhaust
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