Collecting cars is not just a hobby for certain people. It’s a passion! Many collectors spend a pretty penny on this passion, so as a collector you want to keep your car in top shape. If you spend so much money on these classic cars, you want to keep them looking like new for as long a possible. Keeping your cars looking like new can be difficult if you have limited space in your home.
Storing your classic car could be an issue if you live in a home with little to no available garage space. No one wants to place their valuable car in the streets where they can get damaged by the weather or stolen. Storage units have become a popular option for classic car storage solutions. But you should know that there are certain steps that you need to accomplish before placing your car in a storage unit. Here are important tips you should classic car storage solutions to do.
Fill up your car’s tires.
Before you even think about storing your classic car, you want to fill up the tires of your car to maximum pressure. Flat spots can occur if your car is sitting without moving for long periods. The air in your car's tires will gradually release into the air. The air escapes from the tires because the car is constantly putting pressure down on the car.
Make sure to remember when you are taking your car out of storage to check its tire pressure to see if it’s safe enough to drive. The tire pressure of your car could decrease overtime. The weight of your car will decrease the pressure. If you happen to drive your car without checking, it could leave with a damaged tires.
Use a jack stand.
If you are planning to store your vehicle for more than just winter, it’s recommended to jack the car up. To save you some headaches down the road use a jack to lift your car off the hard floor surface. This will help prevent a flat spot from occurring. Not to mention it will help relieve the weight of the car on the tires and suspension.
Fill up the tank.
One thing that people forget to think about the when storing their car is filling up the gas tank. You would think that if you are not using the car it doesn't need too much gas. But, having a full tank of gas will actually prevent your tank from rusting.
It is recommend to fill up with premium gasoline and add a fuel stabilizer. A fuel stabilizer will help prevent decaying from occuring in the fuel lines and engine. The moisture from being a stored for long periods of time will damage your fuel lines. It’s better to keep your car prepared in case you happen to extend the stay of your car in a storage unit.
Remove the battery.
One thing that people tend to forget when storing cars for long periods is the life of their car’s battery. Car batteries are price, but a classic car’s battery can be even pricer. Keep the cost of owning a classic car down with this simple trick. Before you leave the storage unit make sure you have removed the battery out of your vehicle. It is crucial to remove the battery of your vehicle if you are leaving it for more than a few months.
Your vehicle's battery will lose its charge and begin to decay when it’s not being used. Your battery can start to crack if it’s not in a climate controlled area. To preserve the life of your battery you can store it in your home where it’s climate controlled. You can keep it in a closet and take it out when your ready to use your car again.
Find the perfect storage unit.
Choose a storage unit facility that will offer you the right protection for your investment. Locate and choose a facility that has the right security system. You don’t want your car to become an easy target for thieves. You will also want to consider a storage unit that provides a covered garage that will keep the elements off your car. Not all storage units can offer you classic car storage solutions and protection.
