November 1, 2023
Best Tips for Winter Vehicle Storage
Whether it’s your convertible, boat, or motorcycle, you’ll be storing your seasonal vehicle over the winter months. This vehicle is precious to you, so storing it properly is paramount. Storing your vehicle can be time-consuming and a hassle, especially if not done correctly. At Hanlon Park Mini Storage, we understand what customers value and require when storing their vehicles. So, in this blog, we’ll explore some options for storing your vehicle and what to do to ensure it remains in mint condition.
Storage Options
When storing your vehicle, you will first consider where to keep it. There are several options to choose from, depending on your specific needs, budget, and the type of vehicle you’re looking to store.
1. Garage Storage
Home garages provide a convenient and secure location to store your vehicle, protecting it from the elements. Your garage is a fairly economical choice. Most of the costs here come from utilities for climate control. However, this takes up room for storing other items and non-seasonal vehicles. In addition, it’s solely your responsibility to ensure the car is stored correctly.
2. Carport Storage
A carport is a partially covered structure that can offer some protection from outside elements. It’s an economical option but doesn’t offer the same level of protection and security as a closed garage.
3. Outdoor Storage
Keeping your vehicle outside on your property is often the most affordable option, but it offers the least protection. You’ll need to purchase a whether-proof car cover, but you won’t have to pay utilities to keep the car heated. This option is the least effective at keeping your vehicle safe from outside elements.
4. Storage Units
Getting a storage unit for your vehicle is likely the more expensive option. However, indoor storage units provide the highest level of security and protection from the elements. They also allow you to free up room in your personal garage. There are different options for storage units, such as self storage and mobile storage.
Self Storage
This option allows you to store your vehicle on the premises. At locations like ours, storage units can include heated units, 24-hour access, on-site management, moving supplies, daily facility checks, and electronic gate access. This allows clients to store their belongings with peace of mind, knowing they’re protected.
Mobile Storage
Mobile storage allows you to store your vehicle on-site or off-site. There are heated and climate-controlled options. These units are delivered to your location to load your items efficiently and then picked up and stored for your convenience. Facilities such as ours are equipped with 24/7 surveillance and on-site staff to ensure your items are safe.
Preparing Your Vehicle for Storage
Now that you have chosen where you’ll store your vehicle, it’s time to ensure you properly prepare it for storing. Preparing your vehicle for winter storage is crucial to ensure it remains in good condition during inactivity.
1. Clean Your Vehicle
Wash the exterior to remove dirt, debris, and salt. Salt, especially, is harmful to your vehicle as it could corrode your vehicle and, over time, lead to paint damage and rust on your undercarriage. Also, ensure you clean and vacuum the interior of your vehicle. Leaving garbage attracts pests and can leave odours. To keep pests out of your vehicle, use steel wool in pipes.
2. Climate Control
Your vehicle should be stored in a dry, ventilated location and away from direct sunlight. Vehicle storage units are tailor-made and explicitly monitored for this purpose. If you store your vehicle in a location with too much moisture, it could rust it.
3. Vehicle Fluids
Ensure all fluids, including fuel, coolant, brake fluid, antifreeze, and windshield washer fluid, are at the appropriate levels. Failure to do so can lead to condensation, which can cause corrosion and other problems.
4. Oil Change
Get an oil change to help protect your engine during storage. Oil changes prevent the used oil from corroding your engine.
5. Inflate Your Tires
Inflating your tires before storing your vehicle prevents them from becoming deflated during storage. This is especially important if you keep your vehicle outside or stored in a cold area. Loss of air in tires happens because when air temperature goes down, air pressure decreases. This is another reason why keeping your vehicles stored in a climate controlled area is a good idea.
Stress-Free Vehicle Storage
Implementing all of these recommendations for keeping your vehicle safe over the winter can seem daunting. However, it becomes even more daunting when facing any of the implications of improper vehicle storage. Your vehicle requires time and money to maintain, but here at Hanlon Park Mini Storage, we strive to make your vehicle storage as easy for you as possible. We use the highest standards of protection and management of our customer’s storage units. Alleviating stress and work for our customers to ensure they can easily store. Contact us today for more information on vehicle storage or any of our units!