If you had your car in storage (like I did) and are planning on getting it back on the road, you need to know the correct procedure on how to put it back together. Renting a storage unit (like the one I rented on the Gold Coast) is the most convenient way to preserve a vehicle. However, there are many people who also tuck their cars away in the garage for winter, so it's really important to find a good storage solution if you want to keep your car well taken care of. Owners of the storage companies mostly know and understand how important your car is to you, but there are also some companies that only look at the profit and don't really care too much about things they're "keeping safe". So, it's important that you find a storage company that empathize (what is empathy). Use your interpersonal communication skills to negotiate your terms and that you're satisfied with the outcome when you're ready to get your car safetyl back on the road.
If you are planning on taking your car out for the summer, here is how to do it properly:
1. Air your car out
If you have elevated your car, take it down. Open all the windows and let it air out for a couple of hours. This will help get that musky smell out. If you placed any mothballs or air-fresheners in the car, take these out.
2. Check the battery
You should never attempt to start your car with a half-drained battery. If you have removed the battery from the vehicle, check if it still has a bit of juice in it. You should have had your battery on a maintainer during the colder months to keep it alive. If your battery has lost some of its charge or has completely depleted, it is time to get a new one.
3. Test the engine oil
Before putting your vehicle into storage, you should have drained the engine and replaced it with fresh oil. Once you have planned on taking it out for a run, check on the oil to see if it is still at an adequate level. Do this by inspecting it with a dipstick. You can also see the quality of the oil by doing this. If your car has been in storage for over a year, you need to replace the oil and filter completely.
4. Examine other fluids
Check the quality of your other fluids and coolants. If any debris is forming, you will need to replace this with fresh premium fluid. Before storing your car, you should have filled your gas tank with premium non-alcoholic fuel completely to avoid condensation. If this has turned gummy over the months, you need to drain and refill.
5. Do a visual inspection
Take a look at your car and see if everything looks okay. Get the tires back on and inspect to see if they have sufficient air. To prevent disfigurement, your tires should have been stored properly. Check your brakes and see if any rust has accumulated in the rotors. If there are signs of metal oxidization, you need to have them replaced.
6. Start the engine
When everything is in place, take your keys and start your engine. Listen to your car to see if everything sounds good. Allow your car to warm up for about twenty minutes before doing anything else. If anything sounds odd, you might need to have it checked. Make sure that all the parts are well lubricated.
7. Take a drive
Taking your car out for a drive will help it get back to normal temperature. After being in storage for months, it will need about an hour back on the road before it is safe to use for your daily commute. This is also a good way to check if all systems are running smoothly.
Photo courtesy of http://barnfinds.com/storage-unit-find-1966-pontiac-gto/