Bringing Your Car Out Of Storage

There are many reasons people choose to put their car into storage, from avoiding salt in the winter to avoiding the wrath of a spouse when they're not ready to give up on their favourite vehicle!

When pulling your vehicle back out of storage, make sure you check these 4 things to ensure your car is still road ready.

1. Look For Leaks.

The first indication that something didn't go as planned while your vehicle was in storage is a puddle underneath. If your car has a slow leak, you probably won't notice it if you're driving everyday. But, when your vehicle sits in the same position for a long time, that minor leak will drain the system substantially, making it dangerous to drive the car! Any evidence of leaking should be looked into, and all fluids should be topped up!

2. Test The Tires.

A vehicle that has been sitting for a long time will usually lose some tire pressure. If you were super careful and ensured that your car was supported by jack stands while in storage, there is less of a chance of tire issues. You can usually just fill the tires to the recommended pressure and within a few minutes, your car will be back to normal. 

3. Change The Oil

It might seem silly to change the oil in a car that hasn't been driven in a while, but when oil sits for a long time it starts to change. Sometimes, it absorbs moisture out of the air, causing a layer of rust to form on the engine parts that came into regular contact with the moisture. Oil mixed with water does not lubricate well, but it's not the end of the world if you drive your car before you change the oil. Generally, any moisture will burn out of your oil when it reaches operating temperature but seasoned owners will tell you that they change their oil shortly after they pull their cars from storage. 

4. Critters

There is always a chance that your vehicle could become occupied by pests while it was in storage. These animals tend to build warm, winter nests in vehicles that aren't going anywhere soon. If there is any signs of rodent infestation, do a full look over of your vehicle. Rodents often chew electrical wiring, and when you start your vehicle you could have smoke, electronics damage, and even fires. Look for nests in the corners and hidden areas of your vehicle. Often there will be eaten food, poop, and little plastic shavings that might be evidence of chewed wiring. You can also often smell when rodents have been there. Ew.