There’s no shortage of reasons why a person might be considering putting their vehicle in storage. Maybe they’re going travelling, and need to have their car off their driveway while they rent out their property to other people. Or maybe they have a vintage vehicle that they only drive on select days, and need to have somewhere to keep the car while it’s not in use.
Whatever the reason is, renting a self storage unit to store your car can be a game-changer. However, it’s important to remember that it’s not as simple as visiting the first self storage Mangawhai business you come across, driving into the facility, and then returning home. As with all things, you’ll need to put in some effort to ensure that your idea of putting your vehicle in self storage works as well as it should.
With that in mind, we’ve put together some handy tips that’ll put you on the right path.
Find a Reputable Storage Unit
Not all vehicle storage units are created equal. Some will be just what you’re looking for, and others, well, they won’t be. Ultimately, you’re looking for a place that has experience in storing vehicles, has secure facilities, and offers as much flexibility as possible.
Some storage unit facilities will say that they can store your vehicle, but really, they don’t have any background in doing so. Here are a few questions to ask before choosing which self storage facility you’ll work with:
- How secure is the facility?
- Does the facility have great reviews?
- Does it offer round-the-clock access?
Those questions will take you a long way toward finding the right place. At Contain It, you can have peace of mind that you’re working with a company that truly understands self storage. We offer vehicle storage at an affordable price, and you can rest assured that security is our number one priority.
Get It In Tip-Top Condition
You don’t necessarily need to get your car in perfect visual condition before you put it into storage, but it makes sense to — you’ll appreciate your efforts when you decide to take your vehicle for a spin, and it’s already as clean as can be.
A deep clean of your vehicle should remove dirt and grime which could, over time, spoil your car’s paintwork. In addition to having the vehicle professionally cleaned, we recommend adding wax to the paintwork. That’ll help to keep the paint looking fresh.
It’s not just the outside that deserves your attention, either. The inside does too. It’s essential to remove any trash — in fact, remove all items — before putting it into storage. The vehicle should also be completely free of bugs; they’ll only set up camp in your vehicle if they’re left in there!
As we said, doing these things will make it much nicer to pick up your vehicle. It’ll be like stepping into a brand new vehicle.
Maintenance Tips
You’ll also need to invest some time and energy into the maintenance of your car. You take the time to look after your vehicle when you’re driving it around, and it also needs some care now that it’s going into storage.
First of all, make sure to invest in some quality oil and top up your vehicle, or you can change the oil completely if you haven’t used your car in a while. Having fresh oil will help to protect the inner parts of your vehicle from corrosion. It’s also recommended to top up the tank with petrol, though be sure to add a stabiliser to keep it fresh.
If you won’t be using your car for months, then disconnect the battery. It can also be a good idea to lubricate all hinges and locks, so they don’t become overly stiff when not in use. Finally, fully inflate the tires, or you can use jacks to lift the vehicle off the ground.
Consider Extra Protection
You don’t necessarily need extra protection when putting your vehicle in a self storage facility. So long as you’ve chosen the right storage business, your vehicle will generally be safe from factors such as environmental damage and so forth.
However, we understand that your vehicle might be your prized possession, so it’ll be understandable if you don’t want to take any chances. In that case, it’s recommended to consider adding another level of protection to your vehicle.
A quality car cover can help to keep your vehicle in pristine condition. It’ll ensure maximum protection from dust, moisture, and other things that naturally build up over time. It can also be useful to add seat covers to your car’s seating in order to keep their colours in perfect condition.
Tips for When Your Vehicle Is In Storage
By taking the above tips, you can leave your vehicle for quite a long time without having to do anything. However, there are also things you can do to keep your vehicle in great condition. At Contain It, we make accessing your vehicle as easy as possible, so you can always swing by to give your car a little bit of care.
It’s recommended to start and drive your car, if only ever so briefly, once every few weeks if you can. This is less vital if you’ve disconnected the battery, but even then, it can be useful. Beyond that, you can essentially forget about your vehicle, while still having full peace of mind that your car is in perfect condition.
Self Storage Mangawhai: Get In Touch With Contain It Today
Ready to unlock all the benefits of putting your vehicle in a self storage facility? Then get in touch today. If you have any questions about our self storage Mangawhai services, then give us a call at 09 425 8061. Alternatively, you can click the ‘Get a Quote’ button at the top of this page to send us a message, and we’ll get right back to you. Whether it’s for a month or a year, you can ensure that we’ve got the solution that’s right for you.