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Vehicle Self Storage Units

Vehicle Storage

Do you need to store a car, truck, or SUV for a month or longer? A self storage unit or parking space is an excellent option for short-term and long-term car storage. The Storage Mall provides secure vehicle storage throughout the Northeast and Midwest. Our team of expert storage center managers will offer you the insights you need and help you find storage for cars in your area.

We are a self storage company that focuses on services our customers need, so a time commitment is optional. Whether you need short-term vehicle storage or you plan to store a car for six months, a year, or longer, your reason for using one of our storage centers will not impact the solutions available for you to choose from. 

Vehicle Storage Considerations

Security

When storing a car or vehicle in a storage center, you want to be confident that the location is secure. Look for electronic gate access, video surveillance, and well-lit properties. We take security seriously and all of our locations have video surveillance and pin code access electronic gates.

Access Hours

The convenience of accessing your car when you need it should be a determining factor when renting car storage from a storage center. We offer extended access hours or even 24-hour access at most of our locations. Find a specific storage center location near you to learn more about the hours.

Local Weather

The weather in your area will play a significant role in which type of auto storage you decide to rent. If you live in an area with harsh storms, keeping your car in a storage unit may be the safest option. Storing your vehicle inside helps to make sure that your engine will have less weather-related damage like cracks and seal leaks. If your area has mild weather year-round, search for outdoor storage solutions.

Vehicle Insurance

Before storing a vehicle, check with your insurance carrier. Many insurance companies offer coverage primarily written to protect your car while in storage. Such off-road coverage can provide significant savings over road insurance coverage.

Types of Self Storage Units for Vehicles

Many of our locations offer indoor storage, outdoor storage, and even covered storage for cars. Here is more information about our storage center units:

Indoor Storage for Cars

Drive-up storage units provide an indoor, garage-like storage space for cars. With varying unit sizes, you can store anything from a compact car to larger pickup trucks or commercial cargo vans. These units range in size from 10×20 to 10×30 or larger. Because of the protection this storage option provides, drive-up access units are great for long-term car storage, storing classic or sports cars, or storing a vehicle in an area with harsh weather conditions.

Outdoor Car Storage

If you live in an area with mild weather or prefer a more affordable self storage solution for your vehicle, outdoor car storage is a great option. Many of our self storage locations offer outdoor parking units or spaces that can easily accommodate cars of all sizes. Find a location near you to inquire about outdoor storage options.

Covered Car Storage

With a roof protecting your vehicle from the sun and other elements, covered car storage falls between indoor and outdoor storage. This option is more affordable than indoor storage but also provides better protection against sun, snow, hail, and other elements that could damage your vehicle. If you don’t live in an area with harsh weather or intense storms, try outdoor, covered storage for cars.

Indoor, Climate Controlled Car Storage

Indoor climate-controlled vehicle storage is a specialized option that provides a secure storage option for vehicles, protecting them from environmental factors that can cause damage. This premium type of storage is especially useful for Ideal for classic cars, sports cars, motorcycles, convertibles, and other high-value vehicles that require careful maintenance. Indoor, climate controlled storage maintains a consistent temperature, preventing extremes that can harm vehicles. This also helps to keep humidity levels low to prevent rust, mildew, and mold growth. Indoor storage protects vehicles from dust, debris, and exposure to sunlight, which can fade paint and damage interiors.

Checklist for Storing a Vehicle in a Storage Center

For owners of classic, antique, and vintage cars, sports cars, and racing cars, storing your seldom-used car in a self storage unit is often a viable option. Whether your car is an expensive one that you display in auto shows and parades or an everyday car holding sentimental value, learn how to properly prepare your car for storage. Proper storage will extend the life of your vehicle and keep it looking like new and running in top condition.

Preparing for Storage

While preparing a car for storage, keep the following checklist handy so that your vehicle will run optimally and continue to look like new when it’s time to take it out of storage. Gather the tools and supplies that you may need before you get started.

  • Supplies: You may require a tire gauge, plastic drop cloth, cotton cloth, mothballs, mouse traps, plastic bags, duct tape, fuel stabilizer, WD-40, desiccant sacs, jack, and jack stands. You may also need a large wood block for the battery and thin wood trim pieces for under the windshield wipers. Verify that you have adequate amounts of each type of fluid on hand to top off all of your fluids.
  • Cleaning: Cleaning your vehicle thoroughly, both inside and out, is the first step. Wash and use a buffer over the entire exterior of the car to buff out all imperfections and apply a good coat of wax. This will protect the body from corrosion. You may want to have this professionally done. Wipe the mirrors clean. Dirt and residue left on mirrors for long periods can cause rust and corrosion. Remove all trash and debris from the interior of the car. Vacuum it thoroughly to remove pet hair and food crumbs. Use a stain remover to scrub away any stains from the carpet and upholstery. Use an air freshener spray to remove odors from inside your car. Remove any items from the trunk of your vehicle, and don’t neglect to clean the carpet in the trunk area as well.
  • Repairs: The second necessary step is making sure all needed repairs have been done before placing your car in a vehicle storage unit to prevent further deterioration. Change the oil one to two days before storing it. Used oil contains acids, moisture, and other combustion byproducts that will cause engine corrosion, especially when the car sits for long periods. Drive your car for several miles after the oil change and before storing it to allow the oil to circulate throughout the entire engine. Pull the spark plugs and add about a teaspoon of engine oil inside each cylinder. Replace the spark plugs — doing this will coat the inside of the cylinders to prevent rust. Seal off all engine openings using an absorbent cotton cloth. This will absorb any moisture to protect the engine. It will also deter bugs and mice from getting inside. Use a cotton cloth to fill openings in the exhaust pipes and other spaces. Write this down on your maintenance checklist to remind yourself to remove the cotton cloth when taking your car out of storage before driving it again. Spray the exposed metal surfaces of your engine with a good lubricant such as WD-40 to prevent rust. The WD-40 will quickly evaporate, causing a protective film to cover the car body, hose clamps, coils, and other parts.
  • Gasoline: Fill the gas tank to prevent moisture and air from getting into your tank. If you are storing your car in a poorly ventilated unit where gas fumes may create a problem, keep the gas tank only half full. Add a fuel stabilizer to the gas tank. Drive the car around for about 10 miles after adding the fuel stabilizer to allow it to circulate throughout the system. Neglecting to add a fuel stabilizer can cause the gas to break down, forming gum and varnish when it deteriorates.
  • Brakes: Check the color of the brake fluid. The brake fluid should look clear. If the brake fluid is brown and looks dirty, the brake fluid needs to be flushed out and refilled with new fluid. When brake fluid gets old, it contains moisture which can rust the brake system. Verify that the brake, clutch, and master cylinders are both full of brake fluid. Brake fluid absorbs water quickly. Annually bleed the brake and clutch fluid to purge the system of contaminated brake fluid.
  • Transmission: Flush the transmission fluid, steering fluid, and engine coolant if they appear dirty to prevent corrosion to their systems. If these fluids are clear, top them off to prevent air and moisture from getting inside, which will also cause damage.
  • Convertible Tops: Convertible tops should be stored with the top left up. When the convertible top is left down for long periods, it can develop large creases or rip after months of neglect. Treat the convertible top with silicone or other lubricants. Desiccant sacs can be placed inside the car’s interior on the floor. This will keep moisture and humidity from damaging the top.
  • Tires: Tires can go bad when sitting in storage for long periods. They can develop dry rot and flat spots. Avoid using products to give your tires a shine as they will dry out the tires and increase dry rot. Over-inflate the tires slightly to prevent flat spots. Have tires checked for leaks and have them repaired before storage. Tires with an “H” rating or higher will do best in storage.
  • Battery: Refer to your owner’s manual when caring for your battery. Some car specialists may suggest removing the battery and placing it on a wooden block, so the battery won’t be drained. Others suggest leaving the battery in the car but disconnecting the negative (-) terminal of the battery. You can also leave the battery intact in the car to prevent voltage spikes. Voltage spikes can do significant damage to components. A storage switch can be found on some vehicles. After flipping this switch, the battery shuts off, preventing the battery from draining.
  • Final Details: Roll up the windows and close the vents to protect your car against moisture and from bugs and mice getting inside. Check hoses for bulges and cracks and have them replaced if they show extensive damage. Exhaust pipes can be protected from moisture and pests by placing a plastic bag over the exhaust pipe opening and sealing it around the exhaust pipe with duct tape. Remove the blades from your windshield wipers and place thin wood strips or white cotton cloth under the wipers to prevent them from scratching the windows. Park the car on a plastic sheet or jacks. Make sure the emergency brake is off to prevent it from sticking. Cover your car with a tarp to keep it safe from dust. Set moth balls around the outside of the car and mouse traps to keep pests away.
  • Visiting Your Vehicle: Visit your car in the storage center at least once a month, start the engine, and let it run for a few minutes. Make sure that you leave the door to your storage unit open when running the engine for proper ventilation. When possible, take your car for a quick drive to get all the parts moving.

Reviving the Car After Storage: When you are ready to remove your vehicle from the storage center, open all the windows to air out your car. Remove the cotton cloths placed in all the pipe openings. Remove the plastic bag from the exhaust pipe. Check all of your fluids. Reinstall the battery and make sure it is fully charged. You can then take your car

Find Storage for Cars today at one of these locations:

New York

New Jersey

Delaware

Missouri

Wisconsin

Illinois

Kansas

Seek Reliable Self Storage Companies

The Storage Mall offers secure, climate-controlled locations for you to store various items. Whether you are looking for boat storage facilities or storage for cars, furniture, clothing, etc., we have you covered. Our storage centers have units of varying sizes to accommodate your needs. Contact our team today to learn more about our prices, sizing, and availability.