How to Store a Car Long-Term in a Storage Unit

• Add fuel stabilizer: Fill the fuel tank to 95% full and add a fuel stabilizer (such as Sta-Bil). Drive for 10 miles to circulate stabilized fuel through fuel lines and injectors.
• Change engine oil: Fresh oil removes acidic contaminants that corrode engine bearings during storage.

• Disconnect negative battery terminal: Prevents parasitic battery drain from vehicle computers.
• Use a battery tender: If electricity is available, connect a smart trickle charger to maintain battery health.

• Inflate tires to recommended PSI: Over-inflate tires by 3-5 PSI to prevent flat spots.
• Release parking brake: Do not engage the emergency brake for long-term storage; brake pads can fuse to rotors. Use wheel chocks instead.

• Wash and wax exterior: Removes road salt and tree sap that degrade paint finishes.
• Place moisture absorber inside cab: Put a charcoal moisture bag inside the cabin to prevent interior mildew.

• Disassemble sectional sofas: Separate sectional pieces and stand sofa sections vertically on padded moving blankets.
• Protect electronics: Wrap flat-screen televisions in anti-static foam wrap and store vertically inside double-walled TV boxes.
• Secure tables: Remove coffee table legs, tape hardware underneath in labeled bags, and wrap glass table tops in heavy bubble wrap.

• Encase mattresses: Place mattresses and box springs inside heavy-duty 6-mil plastic mattress bags to block dust and moisture.
• Use wardrobe boxes: Hang suits, dresses, and formal coats inside wardrobe boxes to prevent wrinkling and save packing time.
• Fill dresser drawers: Pack lightweight clothing, pillows, and extra sheets directly inside dresser drawers to utilize empty space.

• Pack plates vertically: Store ceramic plates vertically on their edges like vinyl records, layered with bubble wrap. Stacking plates flat increases breakage risk.
• Use cell dividers: Store wine glasses, stemware, and coffee mugs in specialized glassware boxes equipped with cardboard cell dividers.

• Stacking heavy boxes on top of light boxes: Always place heavy book boxes on the floor as a solid base and stack lighter clothing boxes on top.
• Storing uncleaned appliances: Leaving food crumbs or moisture inside fridges and microwaves attracts pests and creates foul odors.
• Using newspaper for wrapping: Newspaper ink transfers permanently onto china, porcelain, and light-colored furniture finishes. Use unprinted newsprint packing paper instead.
• Ignoring ceiling height: Failing to stack items vertically up to 7 feet wastes over 50% of rented cubic space.
• Failing to inspect the unit before loading: Check walls, ceiling seams, and floor corners for water stains or pest activity before unloading your truck.

Before unloading your moving truck into a newly rented unit, perform this 5-minute visual inspection:

• Inspect door seals: Ensure rubber weather stripping along the bottom roll-up door is pliable and intact without gaps.
• Check ceiling corners: Look for dark water stains, damp insulation, or daylight cracks along metal roof seams.
• Examine floor condition: Confirm concrete is clean, dry, and free of chemical oil stains or standing dust.
• Test latch smooth action: Slide door latch back and forth 3 times to verify your disc lock fits smoothly.
• Verify light fixture function: Confirm hallway lighting or interior unit lights operate properly.
• Check pest bait stations: Verify pest control traps near your unit entrance are active and clean.
• Photograph unit condition: Take 3 timestamped photos of the empty unit before loading your property.