If you know you won’t be using your car for a while, it can be hard to know what to do. Maybe you started working from home or want to take care of your car during the winter. Don’t worry however, as we’ve teamed up with experts at Euro Car Parts, AA and Nextbase in order to discover the best ways to prepare your engine for what’s to come and reduce the risk of any problems.

How long can a car sit without driving it?

Before we get started, let’s just be clear when we mean storing your car. Under normal circumstances, experts recommend driving your car every two to three weeks. Using the car for less will increase the potential for problems when planning to get back on the road.

It’s entirely possible to leave your car in a garage or park it outside for months without problems, but the longer you leave it, the higher the chance of problems arising and the more actions you must take to mitigate the risks. Our guide is all about making the worst of the worst when it’s time to put your car back on the road.

Car Storage: 7 Tips to Protect Your Car When Long-Term Storage

1. Park your car in a safe place

2. Thoroughly clean your car

3. Good quality car cover application

4. Stay safe

5. Perform some general maintenance

6. Invest in a smart charger

7. Catch up with the official

1. Park your car in a safe place

Not everyone has a lot of options when it comes to where they park their cars, especially those who use street parking. However, if you have a few options, consider where it is best to keep your car for the long haul.

If you have a garage at your disposal, this is obviously the perfect place as it protects your vehicle from the elements, the clutter of birds, and any obnoxious characters who might pose a security threat.

If you are storing your car in a garage, make sure the area is well ventilated and open the car windows slightly. This will prevent moisture from accumulating inside the car. Consider investing in a dehumidifier that will keep the air in the garage dry as well.

Of course, many of us will park our cars on a driveway or street. If this is the case, try standing on flat ground in the open, away from any trees. If you have no choice but to park under a tree, it is advisable to invest in a car cover.

2. Thoroughly clean your car

If your car is going to be sitting in front of your house and not being used much, you should consider cleaning it deeply, especially if you have free time. This is something we have produced a separate guide for. Don’t neglect the interior – you’ll be grateful for a clean driving area when you plan to get back behind the wheel. The main areas to focus on are the steering wheel, dashboard, gear stick and door handles.

3. Invest in a good car cover

This will keep dust, debris, and small animals away from your vehicle. For added safety, place clean rags in the exhaust pipe and any other objects that could interfere.

If you’re storing your car outside on a driveway, make sure the cover is waterproof and tightly tied so it won’t be blown away by winter storms. Don’t cover the car with a plastic wrap as this can damage the paint – choose a soft, stretchy cover that also allows any moisture to escape easily.

4. Stay safe

It’s important to keep your car safe while it’s in place and there are some precautions you can take to ensure this. First, if your vehicle has keyless entry, keep the key inside a Faraday bag to prevent it from falling victim to a relay attack by car thieves.

You may also want to consider purchasing a steering wheel lock, which will act as a deterrent to thieves. There are also dash cams on the market that feature guard modes – having one could have a similar effect.

5. Perform some general maintenance

Fill up

If you can get to the nearest filling station, it is a good practice to fill your tank with gasoline or diesel before leaving your vehicle for an extended period of time. This will reduce condensation in the fuel tank and help prevent rust. Be sure to use disposable gloves when touching the fuel pump. For long storage, we recommend adding a fuel preservative to make sure the fuel lines are not clogged.

Add antifreeze 

If you won’t be using your car during the winter, it’s a good idea to prime your car with antifreeze – refill to levels and run the engine for a few minutes so the fluid can circulate.

Check the oil

Old engine oil can contain contaminants that damage the engine if it is left to sit for long periods of time. Check your brochure for the manufacturer’s recommended oil. It is also a good idea to change the oil and air filters at the same time.

Avoid rust

Any unpainted metal parts under your vehicle can be coated with WD-40 to prevent rust. But avoid spraying belts, hoses, and braking surfaces.

Check your tires

Make sure the tire pressure is correct. If you have been storing the car for several months, raise the car to lift the tires off the ground – this will prevent flat spots.

start the engine

Every week or two you should look to start your car to prevent the battery from running out. If possible, go for a 15-minute drive but otherwise, running the engine while stationary for 15 minutes is sufficient.

Do not use the handbrake

Wheel blocks are a good investment, especially if you can’t avoid parking your car on a slope. Leaving the handbrake on is not a good idea because it risks the brake pads becoming embedded on the discs. Checking your brake fluid is another good step and you should leave your vehicle running.

Write down what you did

Write down all the steps you took on a notepad, so when it’s time to restart your car in the spring, you won’t end up accidentally damaging it by, for example, forgetting to pull the rag you left in the exhaust.

6. Invest in a smart charger

The smart charger will keep the battery charged. Modern indoor computers can be affected by disconnecting the battery for too long. Start your car every few weeks and run the engine for 10 minutes.

7. Catch up with the official

If you find yourself with some extra free time and want to be productive, it’s worth checking your vehicle’s paperwork and making sure everything is up to date. Keep an eye on your insurance and road VED taxes to avoid any unexpected fines and consider registering your vehicle as a Sorn (Offroad Legal Notice) if you know it’s going to be off the road for some time.