Cars stay safe, tips to long-term storage

Published May 30, 2008
By Tech. Sgt. Jason Smith
75 ABW Public Affairs

HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- Deploying Hill Air Force Base Airmen have enough to worry about; finding a safe place to store a vehicle shouldn't be an additional burden.

Thanks to the efforts of the 75th Security Forces Squadron, keeping cars safe while away doesn't have to be a concern.

Senior Airman Ryan Jones, 75 SFS, says his squadron runs a secure, gated area where people on orders can keep their cars while they're deployed.

"If you don't want to keep your car parked at the dorms or somewhere out in the open, the lot is a good alternative," said Senior Airman Jones. "It's an open-air facility, but it's locked. Patrols randomly check on it, so you know your car is safe."

The process to store a car on the secure lot is relatively easy, according to Airman Jones. A deploying Airman needs to report to Bldg. 1219, Security Forces Law Enforcement Desk, with a copy of deployment orders, vehicle registration, proof of insurance, a military ID and a valid driver's license. If everything is in order, the Airman will fill out a form provided by the desk sergeant, and then be escorted to the lot by a security forces member to put the vehicle under lock and key.

"When you get back, you just return to the law enforcement desk with the same paperwork, and someone will take you over there to get your vehicle back out."

Airman Jones said people returning from deployment have a two-week grace period to pick up their vehicles, but he strongly encourages vehicle pick up immediately following a return from deployment.

The vehicle storage area is located near the West Side Fire Department. Only the registered owner can drop off and pick up a vehicle. For more information, call the law enforcement desk sergeant at 777-3056.

Storing a car for more than six months
I found out in early May 2007 that I would be deploying for about six months. I was just beyond the break-in period in my 2007 Subaru WRX Limited. I was really nervous about storing the car. Luckily, I had some time to research the topic with some experts. By the time I compiled a list of exactly how to store my car, all of the experts agreed I had gone way overboard. That is exactly what I set out to do.

Here is my disclaimer: I am not a mechanical expert, nor do I pretend to be one. I researched and compiled the list below as a way to store my car safely during a deployment. This list has not been tested on any other vehicle, nor do I accept any responsibility for what may or may not happen if you try to follow this list when storing your vehicle. It is simply a starting point. Please consult a real, certified mechanic before attempting any of the steps below.

Storing a WRX
Items needed: Various cleaners and protectants; Tire gauge; Wheel chalks; Plastic drop cloth; Fuel stabilizer; Steel wool; Fogging oil spray; Anti-seize spray; Mothballs; Duct tape; Desiccant packs; Silicone lubricant; Plastic bags; Thin wood trim pieces for under the wipers; Large wood block for the battery; Fine metal sandpaper; Jack and jack stands

1. Change oil and filter a day or two before storage; consider changing brake and transmission fluids as well; make sure anti-freeze is a 50/50 mixture with water; completely drain (or use cold weather) windshield washer solution

2. Wash, clay bar, wash, wax and use protectant on entire vehicle; make sure the inside is spotless with protectant on every surface

3. Add fuel stabilizer per instructions; run the AC on the way to storage; fill gas tank completely as close to storage as possible

4. Inflate tires 5-8 psi above recommended max

5. Park car on plastic drop cloth

6. Lubricate door, trunk, hood and other moving metal parts with silicone lubricant

7. Place desiccant packs in various locations inside the car; also place moth balls in various locations inside; make sure the air is on the "re-circulate" setting; open the glove box and other interior storage locations; cover any areas that might be exposed to sunlight

8. Make sure the transmission is in neutral and the parking brake is off; chalk the wheels, then close it up and lock it

9. Remove fuel pump relay (green connector next to the brown connector on passenger side, near kick panel to the bottom right of glove box) and spark plugs then spray fogging oil in each cylinder; put a small amount of anti-seize on the plug threads and replace them; crank the engine for a couple seconds to distribute the oil; re-connect fuel pump relay

10. Disconnect the battery and place it on large block of wood away from the vehicle

11. Stuff steel wool into the exhaust; cover intake and exhaust with plastic bags and duct tape tight

12. Find a way to seal the intercooler opening and all other openings that would allow easy access for rodents

13. Place wood under windshield wipers

14. Place mothballs all around the outside of the car

15. Pray and wait anxiously

Un-Storing WRX
1. Have a back-up plan in case the battery is dead

2. Remove wood from windshield wipers; remove all plastic and steel wool used to seal openings; remove plastic and steel wool from exhaust and intake

3. Jack car and put on jack stands; remove wheels and lightly sand away any rust on the rotors; put wheels back on and sit the car down; adjust the air pressure to the appropriate driving psi

4. Open it up and remove the desiccant packs and mothballs

5. Reconnect (or replace) the battery

6. Pull the fuel pump relay (green connector next to the brown connector on passenger side, near kick panel to the bottom right of glove box) and crank the engine for about 20-30 seconds; put the relay back in and start it for driving

7. Drive the car real easy for the rest of this tank of gas; run the AC for at least 20 minutes after the car reaches operating temperature; the tires might feel funny and be a little noisy for a little while, but after they get warm, they should be fine; most modern tires will lose their "flat spots" once they get warmed up

8. Do an oil change after running a couple tanks of gas through the car