Thinking About Storing Your Car Long-Term?
Alright, so you’re heading off for a long trip, or maybe just thinking about tucking the car away for the winter. Either way, you don’t want to come back to a sad Suzuki Swift with a dead battery, mould in the boot, or rust chewing at the wheel arches. Over the years here in Hamilton — whether it’s wet mornings on Avalon Drive, hot summers around Rototuna, or the odd road trip from Morrinsville to Ngaruawahia — we’ve seen every storage mistake in the book. Here’s some real-deal advice, just like we’d give in the workshop when someone’s popped in for a car service Hamilton or a quick yarn before heading overseas.
Wash and Wax — Don’t Park It Dirty
One of our technicians recently cleaned up a Peugeot 308 before her owner headed up to Raglan for a summer escape. Good call — always wash and wax before parking up. Bug splatter, bird droppings (those Tūī around Pukete don’t muck about), and plain old road grime will eat into your paint otherwise. Finish with a quality wax — it puts a barrier between your car and the moisture you’ll get after a foggy night in Hillcrest. Check out this straightforward advice on how to properly wash and wax your car.
Fill Up the Petrol Tank
We see it a lot: someone brings in a Fiat Punto that’s been sitting in Te Awamutu for a few months with a half-empty tank, and now it’s coughing and spluttering. Top your fuel right up before you store it. Less air in the tank means less water vapour condensing, so no rusty fuel lines. Chuck in a fuel stabiliser too if you’re out of town for ages. For the full lowdown, have a squiz at our fuel line replacement tips.
Change the Oil and Filter
Old oil can turn corrosive as it sits. We had a Honda Accord come back from long-term storage down Cambridge way, and the owner hadn’t bothered with fresh oil — ended up with some nasty engine sludge. Quick fix before storage: get an oil and filter change. Keeps all those internals nice and lubricated. More on why it matters up on our oil change guide.
Battery: Disconnect or Maintain
Nothing kills a holiday buzz like coming back and finding your Mitsubishi Outlander won’t start in the Base carpark ’cause the battery’s stone dead. Either disconnect the battery or use a cheap battery maintainer. That’ll save you a jump-start mission down the line, especially if we get another Samoan cyclone through Gordonton.
Tyres — Pump ‘Em Up
Tyres left sitting get nasty flat spots, especially if you’re parked on the driveways around Glenview with all those dodgy potholes. Pump them up to the recommended pressure. For long-termers, pop the car on some tyre jacks if you can. That helps the rubber keep its shape after sitting through a Hamilton winter. Check out extra tyre tips here.
Seal Up the Interior
Close all the windows and vents. We’ve had customers bring in Nissan Qashqais after storage out in Matangi, full of dead wasps. Not fun. Use a good car cover, and chuck a moisture absorber inside. That stops the dank, musty smells and mould you sometimes see after a few soggy Hamilton nights. Give the interior a vacuum too — less crumbs, fewer pests.
Pick the Right Spot
Ideally, you want your car safe from the elements and rats. Garage is best. If you’re parking at your uncle’s place in Tamahere, use a cover and make sure it’s out of direct sun. Out on the street? Try and pick somewhere dry, flat, and secure. Want more tips for keeping your ride safe? Loads of handy info in our car safety guide.
Need a Hand?
Long-term storage isn’t just “park it and forget it.” Do it right, and your BMW X1, Toyota Aqua, or trusty Holden Commodore will bounce back, no dramas. At Grimmer Motors, we do it all: oil changes, battery care, pre-storage checks, advice on hybrid repair, you name it. Pop in for a yarn, or book in — we’ll get you sorted.