Whether you own a classic car that only sees summer roads, you’re a snowbird heading south for the winter, or you simply have an extra vehicle that won’t be driven for a while, long-term vehicle storage isn’t as simple as parking it and walking away.

When a vehicle sits unused for weeks or months, sunlight and weather exposure can quietly cause damage to internal electronics, batteries, tires, fuel systems, and even upholstery.

Even worse, pests like insects or rodents may start considering your motionless vehicle as their new home.

And that's precisely why long-term vehicle storage requires a plan and a bit of elbow grease.

Whether you're putting your vehicle into storage for 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, or longer, it's going to take a bit of work.

But the good news is that with preparation, you can store your car properly and get it back on the road when the time comes, without unexpected or expensive surprises.

Below, we've put together a comprehensive long-term vehicle storage guide, designed to help vehicle owners protect their investments while they're off the road.

Let's go!

What Happens When a Car Sits Too Long?

When your car is parked for lengthy periods, it might not look like anything is happening. But under the hood, corrosion can eat away at metal, batteries can lose their charge, and engine fluids like oil and gasoline can start to break down.

Here's a more comprehensive list of the mechanical and environmental problems that can occur when your vehicle sits unused for too long.

• A dead battery, leaving you unable to start the vehicle

• Flat spots on tires

• Corrosion and rust

• Fluids settle, separate, and break down

• Interior moisture that can cause mold and mildew

• Rodents & other pests can make nests

• UV exposure can damage upholstery

• Temperature swings

• Parking brakes can seize

The bottom line is that vehicles are designed to be used, not to sit motionless for months on end.

On the bright side, nearly all of the problems we've listed above are preventable with proper vehicle storage best practices.

Long-Term Vehicle Storage Guidelines

If you want to avoid the problems we've listed above, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and put in a bit of work before walking away from your stored vehicle.

It doesn't matter if you're storing a car, truck, van, SUV, or even a recreational vehicle.

The following storage best practices help to ensure your vehicle is protected and more likely to start on the first try when the time comes.

Clean the Vehicle Interior & Exterior

• Exterior wash and wax to protect paint and reduce the risk of rust

• Undercarriage rinse to remove dirt and road grime

• Interior cleaning to prevent mold and mildew

• Remove food or trash to deter rodents and other pests

Change & Top Up Fluids Before Storage

• Perform a fresh oil change

• Check coolant and brake fluid levels

• Make sure windshield washer fluid is all-season (summer fluid can freeze during the winter)

Fill the Gas Tank and Add Stabilizer

• Fill your tank to prevent condensation from forming inside

• A full tank also helps to slow fuel degradation

• This step is particularly important for storage beyond 30 days

Disconnect or Maintain the Battery

• Unused batteries are almost guaranteed to die when a vehicle is stored for several months

• Disconnect and store the battery indoors if possible

• Use a battery charger to prevent deep discharge

• Removing the battery also prevents theft

Protecting Your Tires

• Inflate tires to the proper PSI

• Avoid direct concrete contact

• Use tire cradles or jack stands for extended storage, which prevent flat spots from forming

• Use tire covers

Pro Tip - Wondering if tire covers really prevent dry rot and sun damage? Short answer: Yes, tire covers protect your tires and prevent the rubber from drying out and deteriorating due to sun exposure and other environmental factors.

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How to Store a Car for 3 Months

If you're only storing your vehicle for 2 or 3 months, you don't need to take prep as seriously as someone who's storing their vehicle for a few years.

However, there are certain storage guidelines that are non-negotiable.

Once again, these long-term storage guidelines is important to protect your vehicle.

But it also ensures your vehicle is more likely to start and function properly once you're ready to get it back on the road.

So, for shorter 2 or 3-month seasonal vehicle storage:

• Check fluid and add fuel stabilizer

• Disconnect the battery and use a maintainer

• Ensure proper tire inflation

• Car cover (important for both indoor and outdoor storage)

How to Store a Car for 6 Months

Now, if planning on storing a vehicle for more than a few months, the process requires slightly more comprehensive preparation.

First, walk through all the steps we listed above, including cleaning the vehicle inside and out, checking fluids and adding fuel stabilizer to the gas tank, disconnecting the battery, checking tire pressure, and covering the vehicle.

But you'll also want to take a few additional steps, such as:

• Lifting the vehicle slightly off the ground, if possible

• Placing moisture absorbers in the cabin

• Sealing the exhaust pipe and air intake to prevent pests from nesting

When storing a vehicle for extended periods like this, insurance considerations come into play, which we explore more below.

Since you obviously won't be driving the vehicle for the next 6 months or so, you should call your insurance provider to discuss options.

In most cases, you'll have the option to remove collision and liability coverage while keeping comprehensive coverage. This ensures your vehicle remains protected from theft, fire, and damage, even when it's not on the road.

Can You Store a Vehicle in a Storage Unit?

When storing a vehicle from lengthier periods, a storage unit is often the best place to keep it.

Storage units are often secured and monitored by video surveillance, which drastically reduces the risk of theft and vandalism.

Some storage unit providers may also offer additional safety precautions, like gated access, security guards, surveillance cameras, or on-site insurance. Indoor storage units are also, well, indoors, so your vehicle will naturally be protected from sunlight and harsh weather.

On the other hand, there are still some concerns regarding indoor vehicle storage.

For example, storage units may lack adequate ventilation, increasing your risk of mold and mildew if moisture gets trapped in the vehicle. Even though your vehicle will be indoors, rodents and pests remain a concern.

So it’s important to use moisture absorbers and seal up your tailpipe and air intake vents to prevent pests from getting inside.

On another note, some storage companies may not allow vehicle storage. So it's important to check your rental agreement before storing your vehicle.

Climate-Controlled Vs Standard Storage Units for Vehicle Storage

If you have the option, always opt for climate-controlled storage units.

Temperature fluctuations are among the biggest concerns that can cause condensation and moisture buildup in the vehicle's cabin and fuel tank.

Therefore, even though units with climate control are generally more expensive, it's well worth the extra cost to protect your vehicle in the long term.

Putting a Car in Storage Insurance: What You Need to Know

Vehicles are expensive. Even if you drive a beater or a budget-friendly, fuel-efficient sedan, you spend serious money to keep yourself on the road.

So, whether you're storing a classic car, your seasonal whip, or just an extra vehicle that you're saving for your kids, insurance is important.

Always keep insurance on the vehicle, even if you won't be driving it.

You can usually reduce coverage and only keep comprehensive coverage. But you shouldn't cancel your policy completely.

Why not?

Because comprehensive coverage protects your vehicle from theft, fire, vandalism, falling objects, weather damage, etc. And even if you're storing your vehicle indoors, in a home garage or a climate-controlled, security-guard-patrolled storage unit, these risks still exist.

If you're unsure about what your current insurance policy covers, it's best to contact your insurance and notify them that you're putting the vehicle into storage.

They'll provide you with your best options and confirm policy conditions before canceling anything.

How to Keep a Car Parked for a Long Time Without Damage - Indoor & Outdoor Storage Considerations

Whether storing your vehicle indoors or outdoors, it's important to protect it to the best of your ability.

This means using a breathable car cover and tire covers to protect the vehicle from sunlight and dust.

You should also start the vehicle, warm the engine, and move the vehicle periodically, if possible. This helps move fluids around and prevents flat spots from forming on your tires. It also helps deter rodents from getting in and maintains airflow inside the vehicle.

It’s also a bad idea to leave your parking brake engaged while the car is in long-term storage.

While your parking brake is important for everyday use, keeping it set for months can cause the cables or rear brakes to seize.

Then, when you finally try to move the vehicle, you could discover that the brake is stuck, leaving it immobile and requiring serious repairs before it can be driven again.

Lastly, another important but often overlooked step is to check your windshield washer fluid and make sure you've got winter or all-season fluid in your tank.

Summer wiper fluid can actually freeze during the winter, which can cause burst hoses or cracked tanks...

And that’s not anything you want to deal with when trying to get your vehicle back on the road.

How Long Can I Keep My Car in Storage?

You can keep your vehicle in storage for as long as needed, provided you take the necessary steps to protect it.

Always remember that short-term storage (under 6 months) is manageable with basic prep and planning.

Meanwhile, year-long or multi-year storage requires more thorough steps, including oil changes, adding fuel stabilizer, climate-controlled environments, and periodic maintenance.

What to Do With a Car That Has Been Sitting for 1 Year

If your vehicle's been in storage for a year or longer, you usually won't be able to jump into the driver's seat and hit the road.

You'll usually want to inspect the vehicle first, check fluids and tires, and you may need to use a battery charger or jump starter to get the engine running.

Here's a comprehensive guide to getting your vehicle back on the road after a year or more in storage.

Before Starting the Engine

• Use a battery maintainer

• Inspect for leaks

• Check oil level

• Inspect belts and hoses

• Check tire condition and inflate if needed

First Startup Checklist

• Attempt to start the engine manually

• If it works, let it idle and inspect for warning lights

• If it doesn't start, you may need to jump start the battery

After It’s Running & Before Hitting The Highway

• Check that brake are functioning properly

• Check other fluids and top up if needed.

• Perform a full visual inspection and safety check before driving normally

Pro Tip - Click here to download our comprehensive long-term vehicle storage checklist, where we cover all the best practices for effective vehicle storage and explain the steps to take to get your car or truck back on the road after storage.

How to Store Tires Long Term

Your tires are another important consideration when storing a vehicle long-term.

The goal here is simple: To protect the rubber from sunlight, moisture, ozone, and temperature extremes. Tires are made of polymer compounds that degrade quickly when exposed to environmental conditions and subpar storage conditions.

First off, clean the tires before storage. A simple wipe-down with mild soap and water should suffice to remove dirt, road grime, and brake dust. Avoid harsh tire protectants that make tires look great, but that can actually damage the rubber.

Once cleaned, let them dry completely before putting them away. Moisture trapped against the rubber can contribute to deterioration.

Next up, you'll want to store your tires in a cool, dry, dark area.

Sunlight and heat are two of the biggest causes of premature cracking because they accelerate the breakdown of rubber compounds. You’ll also want to avoid storing tires near electric motors, furnaces, or generators.

A basement or climate-controlled garage with moderate temperatures is often the ideal storage location.

Finally, we strongly recommend using tire covers to protect your tires during storage.

Whether your tires are still mounted on your vehicle or unmounted, they should still be covered and protected, which keeps them looking their best, can even extend their life, and reduces your risk of a tire blowout while on the road.

Pro Tip - Check out our TIRESHIELD PRO tire covers, which have been designed to perform better and last longer than many of our competitors. You can also browse our shop for other essential car accessories, and great home and garage products, like TITANPATCH PRO and FIRESHIELD PRO.

Common Long-Term Storage Mistakes - How To Avoid Headaches & Weather Damage

Storing a vehicle isn't rocket science. But it does require a bit of careful forethought and extra work, especially when storing your vehicle for extended periods.

Here's a look at some of the most common long-term storage mistakes and what to avoid.

• Skipping fuel stabilizer - Old fuel breaks down and can clog injectors.

• Not filling the gas tank before storage - A partially empty tank allows moisture buildup and internal rust.

• Leaving the battery connected - Parasitic drain kills batteries, and deep discharge can permanently damage them.

• Failing to use a battery maintainer - A trickle charger prevents sulfation and extends battery life.

• Ignoring tire protection - Flat spots, dry rot, and UV cracking are common when tires sit too long.

• Not inflating tires properly before storage - Underinflated tires accelerate flat spotting.

• Leaving the parking brake engaged - Brake cables or calipers can seize over time.

• Skipping an oil change before storage - Old oil contains contaminants that can corrode engine components.

• Forgetting to check coolant strength - Weak coolant can freeze or lose corrosion protection.

• Not sealing entry points for rodents - Mice love airboxes, wiring harnesses, and insulation.

• Using a plastic tarp instead of a breathable cover - Plastic traps moisture and can damage paint.

• Storing the vehicle outside without a UV-resistant cover - Sunlight accelerates paint fade and rubber deterioration.

• Canceling insurance completely - Theft, fire, hail, or vandalism can still happen.

• Not cleaning the car before storage - Dirt, salt, and bird droppings can permanently damage paint.

• Skipping periodic check-ins - Long-term storage benefits from occasional inspection and light maintenance whenever possible.

• Forgetting to document the condition before storage - Photos help if you need to file an insurance claim later.

FAQ Section - Indoor & Outdoor Car Storage

Here's a quick recap of the most frequently asked questions we hear from our readers about long-term indoor and outdoor vehicle storage.

What is the best way to store a car for a long time?

The best way to store a car long-term is to prep it properly before storage. Clean the exterior and interior, change the oil, fill the tank, and add a fuel stabilizer. Disconnect the battery, inflate the tires to the proper pressure, use a car cover or tire covers, and store it indoors if possible.

How long can I keep my car in storage?

You can store a vehicle for as long as you want, provided you take proper precautions. A car can usually sit for a few weeks or even a month without any serious concern. But if you plan on storing your car for more than a month, it's important to follow proper vehicle storage guidelines.

Can you store a vehicle in a storage unit?

Yes, you can store a vehicle in a storage unit, as long as the storage company allows it and the unit is big enough. In fact, storage units are ideal because they protect your vehicle from UV damage and environmental exposure. Storage units are also usually more secure than storing your vehicle outdoors, which leaves it vulnerable to theft and vandalism.

Putting a car in storage insurance — do I still need insurance coverage?

Yes, it's usually advisable to keep insurance coverage on your vehicle even when putting it into storage. However, you can often change your policy to remove collision and liability coverage while keeping comprehensive coverage, which will still protect you against fire, theft, vandalism, and weather-related damage.

What to do with a car that has been sitting for 1 year?

The first step will be to perform a careful inspection to check for damage, flat tires, or anything else that might be visibly wrong with the vehicle. Then use a battery charger or jump starter, check all fluid levels and tire air pressure, and confirm that your brakes work, then turn the key to start the vehicle.

How to store tires long-term?

To prevent dry rot and sun damage, we encourage you to inflate tires to the proper pressure levels, wipe them down, and use a set of high-quality tire covers, like TIRESHIELD PRO. If possible, store them upright (or hung) indoors, away from direct sunlight and heat sources.