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It does not matter if you use your own car every day, drive a work car, or you enjoy collecting cars, the one thing that we all care for is the care for the vehicle so that it remains as new as possible for the longest possible time. 

Leaving a car out on the street will cause the vehicle to be damaged by weather. Too much sun, rain or hail will cause adverse effects to the vehicles paint work and can cause damage to the body. Rust is also a problem if you live near water. 

You can have your vehicle in your garage at home but with the busy lives we live and the extra curricular activities we all participate in, is that the best way to use the garage at home or the best way to car for your motor vehicle. 

The answer that more and more people are using is Car Storage. The following is a guide to car storage Sydney and to the best way to care for your car before you take it to long term car storage. 

Keep your vehicle in top condition with our expert guide to car storage. Learn essential maintenance tips, costs and storage solutions.

How to prepare your car for storage

Cean it inside and out, fill the gas tank with fuel stabilizer, ensure the battery is charged (or disconnected for long-term storage), and consider using a car cover or storing it in a garage. 

Here's a more detailed guide:

1. Cleaning:
•    Exterior: Thoroughly wash and wax the car to remove dirt and protect the paint. 
•    Interior: Vacuum the car, remove any debris, and clean the upholstery and carpets. 
•    Windows: Place rags between the windshield wipers and the windshield to prevent sticking or marks. 

2. Fuel System:
•    Fill the gas tank: A full tank helps prevent moisture buildup in the fuel system. 
•    Add fuel stabilizer: This helps prevent fuel from degrading during storage. 

3. Battery:
•    Check the battery: Ensure it's fully charged. 
•    For long-term storage: Disconnect the battery to prevent it from draining. 
•    For shorter storage periods: Consider using a battery tender to keep the battery charged. 

4. Tires:
•    Inflate tires:
Ensure they are properly inflated, but slightly lower than usual to prevent flat spots from forming. 
•    Consider using jack stands:
If you plan to store the car for an extended period, you can elevate the car on jack stands to prevent flat spots. 

5. Mechanical Components:
•    Change oil and coolant: Fresh fluids are important before storing the car.
•    Lubricate moving parts: This helps prevent sticking or rusting.
•    Disengage the parking brake: Having the parking brake engaged for an extended period can cause it to seize up. 

6. Storage Location:
•    Choose a dry, covered, and well-ventilated area: A garage is ideal, but a covered storage facility or a weatherproof car cover can also work.
•    Protect from the elements: A car cover can help protect the car from dust, dirt, and moisture. 

7. Additional Tips:
•    Cover the exhaust system: This can help prevent critters from entering the exhaust pipes. 
•    Crack the windows slightly: This helps with ventilation. 
•    Place rags in the intake and exhaust pipes: This can help deter critters from entering. 
•    Consider storing the car on a flat surface: This can help prevent the tires from developing flat spots. 
•    Before storing, ensure the car is clean, both inside and out . 
•    Remove all personal items from the car . 
•    Ensure the car is in gear or park . 

Whatever the reason for your time away from the vehicle, you'll need to put it in storage. If you just let your vehicle sit on the street or in a garage for an extended period, you may return to a dead battery or — worse yet — a damaged engine, ruined tires and a rat's nest under your hood.

Here are essential steps to take before you store a vehicle. They will preserve the life of the engine and ensure that your car starts when you return to it. Use an all-weather car cover if you cannot leave your car in a garage. Get the car washed and waxed before placing it in storage. Be sure to fill up the gas tank and add a gas stabilizer if you will be storing the car for more than 30 days. Use a battery tender to avoid having to jump-start the battery.

Keep It Covered
A garage is an ideal place to store a vehicle. This will protect it from the elements and keep it at a temperature that's relatively stable. If you don't have a garage and you can find accommodation at a reasonable price, consider putting the car in a public storage facility.

If you have to leave the car outdoors, consider getting a weatherproof car cover, which will help keep the car clean and dry.

Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.

Change the Oil
Skip this step if you're only storing the car for a week or two. Consider getting the oil changed if you will be storing the vehicle for longer than 30 days. Ford recommends this step in its owner's manuals, saying that used engine oil has contaminants that could damage the engine.

Top Off the Tank
This is another long-term car storage tip. Fill the tank with gas if you expect the car to be in storage for more than 30 days. Topping it off will prevent moisture from accumulating inside the fuel tank and keep the seals from drying out. You should also purchase a fuel stabilizer such as Sta-bil, to prevent ethanol buildup and protect the engine from gum, varnish and rust. The fuel stabilizer will prevent the gas from deteriorating for up to 12 months.

How Long Do Car Batteries Last In Storage? 
An unattended battery will eventually lose its charge. Get someone to start the car every two weeks and drive it for about 15 minutes if possible. Driving the car periodically has several benefits. It will maintain the battery's charge, help the car "stretch its legs," and keep the engine and other components adequately lubricated. It is also a good idea to run the air conditioner to keep the parts in working order and the air quality fresh.

If you cannot arrange for someone to start the car, there are two other options. The low-tech solution is to disconnect the negative battery cable. You'll likely lose the stereo presets, time and other settings. If you want to keep those settings and ensure that your battery starts the moment you return, purchase a battery tender, also known as a trickle charger. This device hooks up to your car battery on one end and plugs into a wall outlet on the other. It delivers just enough electrical power to prevent the battery from discharging.

Don't Use the Parking Brake
It's usually a good idea to use the parking brake, but don't do it when you leave a car in storage. If the brake pads make contact with the rotors for too long, there is a chance that they might fuse. Instead, purchase a tire stopper, also called a chock, to prevent the car from moving.

Prevent Flat Spots
Make sure your tires are inflated to the recommended tire pressure. If a vehicle is left stationary for too long, the tires could develop flat spots as the weight of the vehicle presses down on the tires' footprints. This process occurs at a faster rate in colder temperatures and in vehicles equipped with performance tires or low-profile tires.

In some cases, merely having someone drive the car for a while will bring the tires up to their normal operating temperature and get rid of any flat spots. In more severe cases, a flat spot can become a permanent part of the tire and it will need to be replaced.

If your car will be in storage for more than 30 days, consider taking the wheels off and placing the car on jack stands at all four corners. This step requires more work, but it can save you from needing a new set of tires. Your tires will be in much better shape when you return if they haven't been bearing the weight of the vehicle for a month or more.

Keep Pests Out
A garage will keep your car dry and relatively warm. Unfortunately, those are also two things that make a garaged car attractive to rodents. There are plenty of places in your car for critters to hide, and plenty of things for them to chew on. Try to cover any gaps where a mouse could enter, such as the exhaust pipe or an air intake. Steel wool works well for this. Next, spread mothballs or cotton swabs dipped in peppermint oil along the perimeter of the vehicle. The smell is said to drive mice away.

If you want to take a more proactive approach, lay down a few mousetraps and some rat poison. Just make sure someone can check the garage periodically in case there are some casualties. Otherwise, you'll have to deal with a smell much worse than mothballs when you take the car out of storage.

Maintain Insurance
You might be tempted to cancel your auto insurance when your vehicle is in storage. Although that might initially save money, there is a chance that the insurance company will raise your rates due to the gap in coverage, which could cost you more in the long run. This can vary based on where you live and who your provider is, so contact your insurance company to see what options are available to you.

Car Storage Sydney
In the Sydney area, car storage costs typically range from around $345 to $595 per month for standard vehicles, with vans and SUVs potentially costing slightly more, plus GST. 

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

Tips for finding cheap car storage:
Consider upper-level spaces or storage units in the Western suburbs, as they are generally cheaper. You can also choose a space that is outdoors but is fenced off. A standard sized space is 6 metres long my 3 meters wide. There slightly smaller options that can lower the cost.

Factors affecting car storage costs:
Time duration of storage (short term car storage or long-term car storage), whether you need 24-hour access, and the specific storage facility all play a role in determining the final cost. Having a vehicle in secure car storage can be as easy as being an outdoor space with a secure fence. It can be an under-cover space. There is a lot of choice.

Ultimate Car Storage
If your vehicle is extra special, then you may need extra special storage. You may want to consider car storage near me to have closer access to your car and for that space to have over bonnet car storage or even electricity to charge your car. A space like this will be more costly than a space in an outdoor car park but will be a way to provide better care for the vehicle.

Self storage facilities are a growing industry with plenty of high growth areas near cities, as population growth and property prices make everyone find themselves with a need for bigger space that is affordable. Now there are a lot of Self Storage operators out there. Make sure you don’t get caught out leaving your goods in cheap Storage units that are not clean. Store your goods in a clean secure self storage space. Access 24 hour storage is another feature to look for. Use the space at a convenient time day or night any day of the year.

Kennards Self Storage is the place to go if you need space. Kennards self storage has lock up garages, outdoor motor vehicle storage and under cover motor vehicle storage. Ultimate Car Storage spaces with over the bonnet storage cabinets and electricity included are also available at our Camperdown site.

Our expert team have years of experience working with thousands of happy customers. If you are in-between homes, looking for a space to base your business in, or just want to have a spot for the things you don’t need in your face every day, we can help you.

With over 100 locations and over 100 size choices we can cater to your specific needs and circumstances. If time is an issue, you can complete the whole process from finding a space to the rental and payment from the comfort of your own home.

 Log on to www.kss.com.au and you can find self storage prices and complete the process in minutes. It really is that easy. You can also order all the packaging material needed to make the move as easy as possible. Storage boxes can also be returned for a full refund if not used or a partial refund if they are in good condition when they have been used. Come and visit and you will find space for change 7 days a week.

Learn more about the other beneifts Kennards Storage has to offer.

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