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Thursday, September 17th 2009

6:31 PM

Car Storage - Tips For Proper Storage

Car storage proves quite handy when you are moving to a new place temporarily. It does away with the hassle of taking your cars with you and then transporting them back when you come back to your original residence. So while you are away, why not store it at a place where your cars will be protected from snow, hail, rain, heat, bird droppings, rats, and thieves.

However, you might not find your car in good condition if you fail to take proper storage measures. So here are few storage tips that will ensure that your car is stored in a proper way and condition.

Keep The Gas Tank Full
Fill up your gas tank before storage. A tank full of gas reduces the amount of water that gasoline can absorb. It is also a good idea to put in some cylinder lubricant in the tank along with the gas. In order to mix the lubricant properly with the gas, you should run the car for a minute or two.

Change The Engine Oil
If you are going to use car storage for a long time, you must remove the dirty oil from the engine. If you leave dirty oil inside the engine, it will cause rust inside the engine. Besides the dirty oil, you must also change the filter. It is also a good idea to remove the spark plugs so that the piston rings do not rust the cylinder walls.

Protecting Engine From Rust
There are the steps you must take to protect your engine from rusting while in car storage. You should first coat the exposed metal area of the engine with a lubricant spray. The lubricant spray will leave a protective film on the coils, hose clamps, and carb body.

Other Steps
* Before storing, make sure that you have drained or flushed the cooling system. Before doing that, make sure that the heater valve is open. Now refill the cooling system with a 50/50 mixture of fresh, antifreeze, distilled water.

* If it is time for your brake system to be flushed with new fluid, then you must do so before the vehicle’s storage. Generally, the brake system should be flushed every two years.

* The battery should be removed and cleaned before the storage. It is advisable to clean the battery and battery case with a solution of baking soda and water to neutralize the acid.

* You can slip a plastic bag over the exhaust pipe tips and then hold it in place using a rubber band. You should do the same with the air cleaner inlet. This will ensure that moisture does not get inside your engine.

* Clean the interior of the car thoroughly and place mothballs in the trunk, interior, and the engine compartment. This will offer protection against infestation.

* If you are storing a convertible car, it is best to leave it up. Leaving it folded down in storage for long can lead to formation of ugly creases on the top.

* Make sure that all the windows and doors are properly locked. If possible, you should rotate the drive axles a few turns atleast every month. This will ensure that all the gears and transmission main shaft and countershaft are coated with oil while in car storage. If you cannot do it, you can have someone else do it for you.

* Cover your car with a protective cover while in storage.

Following these tips will ensure that your car is well protected while it is in
car storage
facility.
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Thursday, September 17th 2009

6:21 PM

Car Storage - Choosing The Right Facility

If you are moving to a new place temporarily, you might be wondering what you will do with all the cars that you have. Today, many people are using car storage to store their extra cars when they move to a new place temporarily. This is especially true of those who are moving to a distant place or another country.

A car storage facility will ensure that your car or cars are safe and secured while you are away. However, much depends on the type of storage facility that you choose. If you choose a cheap, run-down facility, you might not find your car in the condition that you left it in.

Indoor Or Outdoor
Therefore, it is important to take into consideration certain factors when choosing a car storing facility. One of the factors that you will have to take into consideration is whether to go for an indoor unit or an outdoor one. An indoor storing unit will obviously provide better protection than an outdoor facility. If you choose an indoor unit, your car will not only be protected from weather damages, but also from rodents and thieves.

From security point of view, an outdoor facility is a poor choice. However, if you are on a limited budget, an outdoor facility can provide affordable storage space for your car. In order to decide whether you need an indoor facility or an outdoor one, you need to weigh in your car storage requirements. For instance, if you own an old model car that is really not worth much, you can go for an outdoor facility. You can cover your car with a weather protective cover, and this will be sufficient. However, if you own an expensive car, then an indoor facility is the right choice for you.

Security
The type of security provided by a storage facility is another factor that you will have to take into consideration when choosing a storage unit. 24/7 surveillance, controlled access to the facility, proper lighting, security and fire alarms, and proper fencing are some of the security features that you must ensure when renting a storage facility.

Infestation
Infestation is another factor that you would consider when choosing a storage facility for your car. After all, you do not want a facility that is infested with rats, cockroaches, termites, or other types of pests. When inspecting a storage facility, you must request the manager to show you papers proving when the last inspection was done. Furthermore, you should check for any sign of infestation on your own.

Insurance
Insurance coverage is another important factor that you would consider when choosing a storage facility. Many facilities include insurance charges within the rental charges. Some facilities, on the other hand, will recommend you to an insurance company that can provide you with car storage insurance. An insurance coverage will have you covered in the event your car is damaged or stolen.

Climate Controlled
Whether to go for a climate controlled facility or a regular one is another factor that you will have to consider. If you are storing an expensive car, it is best to go for climate-controlled unit.

Finally, you will have to consider the rental rates when choosing a car storage. It is easy to find an affordable storage facility if you look around a bit. You should not forget to ask for discounts and promotional offers to bring down the rental charges. And yes! Never forget to bargain for the storage rates.
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Thursday, September 17th 2009

6:20 PM

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