How to Prepare a Car for Long-Term Storage
Proper preparation can make a big difference when you're putting a vehicle away for several months. Whether you're storing a summer car through a North Dakota winter, leaving town for an extended period, or protecting a classic or collector vehicle, long-term storage of a car involves more than simply parking it and locking the doors.
The right preparation depends on the vehicle, how long it will be stored, and where you're keeping it. Cleaning the car, addressing the battery, checking fluids and tires, protecting the interior, and choosing an appropriate storage space can all be part of the process.
Storage Kings offers car and vehicle storage options in Fargo and Bismarck, including outdoor parking, drive-up storage, heated storage, and larger enclosed spaces.
We also offer month-to-month rentals at all Storage Kings facilities, giving you flexibility if your definition of “long term” changes.
How to Prepare a Car for Long-Term Storage
Before storing a car for several months, work through the vehicle from the inside out.
- Clean the interior. Remove food, trash, and anything else that could create odors or attract pests. Vacuum carpets and seats and make sure the interior is dry before closing the vehicle.
- Wash the exterior. Removing dirt, road grime, bird droppings, and other contaminants before storage gives you a clean vehicle to put away.
- Check for maintenance needs. Review your vehicle manufacturer's recommendations for fluids, oil, coolant, and other maintenance items before long-term storage.
- Prepare the fuel system appropriately. Storage recommendations can vary by vehicle, fuel type, and length of storage. Follow the owner's manual or advice from a qualified mechanic rather than assuming one procedure works for every vehicle.
- Check the tires. Make sure the tires are in good condition and follow the vehicle or tire manufacturer's recommendations for pressure and long-term storage.
- Make a battery plan. Depending on the vehicle and battery, that may involve an appropriate maintainer, disconnection, removal, or another manufacturer-recommended procedure.
- Remove valuables. Take out electronics, documents, cash, and other valuables you don't need to leave inside.
- Consider pest prevention. Remove anything that could attract rodents and inspect the vehicle for potential entry points without blocking required vents, drains, or exhaust openings.
- Measure the car. If you're renting enclosed vehicle storage, measure its full length, width, and height and compare those dimensions with the actual unit and overhead-door opening.
- Follow the vehicle manufacturer's storage recommendations. Classic cars, EVs, hybrids, diesels, and newer vehicles with sophisticated electronics may have different long-term storage requirements.
Car Cover for Long-Term Storage
Whether you should use a car cover for long-term storage depends partly on where the vehicle will be kept.
For outdoor storage, an appropriate exterior car cover can help protect the vehicle from direct exposure to sun, dirt, snow, and debris. Choose a cover designed for your vehicle and outdoor conditions, and follow the manufacturer's instructions for fit, ventilation, and installation.
For a vehicle stored inside an enclosed unit, weather exposure is already substantially reduced. Some owners still choose an appropriate indoor cover to help keep dust off the vehicle.
Make sure the car is clean and dry before covering it. An improperly fitted or unsuitable cover can create problems of its own, so follow the cover and vehicle manufacturer's recommendations rather than treating every cover the same.
Long-Term Car Storage Facilities
When comparing long-term car storage facilities, consider more than whether there's enough room to park the vehicle.
Start with access. A drive-up storage unit can make vehicle storage straightforward because the unit opens directly onto the drive lane. You can drive the vehicle into the space rather than navigating interior hallways or moving it through a building.
Then consider the type of storage you want.
Outdoor Parking
A practical, lower-cost option for vehicles that are appropriately prepared for outdoor conditions.
Enclosed Drive-Up Storage
Gets the vehicle inside and out of direct exposure to snow, hail, wind, sun, and other outdoor conditions.
Heated Storage
Available in select larger Storage Kings units and may appeal to owners storing vehicles through a North Dakota winter.
Extra-Large Storage
Provides additional room for larger vehicles, trailers, equipment, or other belongings stored alongside the vehicle.
You can compare Storage Kings car and vehicle storage options to determine which storage type makes the most sense for your vehicle.
Long-Term Car Storage Cost
Long-term car storage cost at Storage Kings depends primarily on the location, storage type, and amount of space you choose.
Bismarck Outdoor Parking
Approximately $50/month
Bismarck Concrete Pad
Approximately $70/month
Fargo Concrete Pad
Approximately $100/month
North Bismarck 10x20 Drive-Up
Reference price: approximately $135/month
For Fargo customers looking for enclosed car storage, a 12x20 drive-up unit provides 240 square feet and is a natural starting point to consider for many passenger vehicles.
Larger enclosed options are also available for customers who want substantially more room. Estimated pricing for 14x40–14x50 enclosed storage ranges from approximately $375–$495 per month, depending on location.
All prices shown are estimates or reference rates. Current rates and promotions may change, so check current pricing before renting.
What Does Long-Term Car Storage Cost for Several Months?
Monthly pricing is only part of the decision. If you're storing a vehicle for an entire season, it can help to estimate the total cost over several months.
- $50/month: approximately $300 for six months
- $70/month: approximately $420 for six months
- $100/month: approximately $600 for six months
- $135/month: approximately $810 for six months
These examples make the cost difference between outdoor and enclosed storage easier to compare.
Storage Kings offers month-to-month rentals at all facilities, so you aren't required to choose a six-month term simply because you're storing your car for the winter. You can keep the space based on how long you actually need it.
Car Battery Charger for Long-Term Storage
Battery care is an important part of preparing many vehicles for long-term storage.
Some owners use a battery maintainer or charger designed for long-term vehicle storage to help maintain an appropriate charge while the vehicle sits. However, battery requirements vary considerably between vehicles.
Traditional gasoline vehicles, hybrids, EVs, classic cars, and vehicles with specialized electrical systems may require different storage procedures. The appropriate charger or maintainer also depends on the battery type.
Before connecting a charger or battery maintainer, check the recommendations from the vehicle, battery, and charger manufacturers.
Storage Kings storage units have electricity. For greater electrical capacity, select larger units including 18x50, 18x55, and 18x24 units have 220-amp electrical service, as do our Shop Condos.
Electrical service does not automatically mean every device or use is permitted. Confirm that your intended battery-charging setup is appropriate for the electrical service and permitted within the storage space before leaving a device connected.
If you're unsure about the correct battery-storage procedure for your vehicle, consult a qualified automotive professional.
What Size Storage Unit Do You Need for a Car?
For many compact cars and standard sedans, a 10x20 or comparable larger unit is a practical starting point.
A 10x20 provides 200 square feet of floor space and 20 feet of nominal depth.
Storage Kings Fargo doesn't offer an exact 10x20, but the 12x20 drive-up unit provides 240 square feet, with the same nominal 20-foot depth and two additional feet of width.
Larger SUVs and pickups may require a 10x25, 12x25, 12x30, or larger space depending on the vehicle.
Don't choose based on square footage alone. Measure your vehicle's complete length, width, and height and compare those measurements with the actual unit dimensions and overhead-door opening.
You also want enough room to park the vehicle and get out comfortably. For a more detailed size comparison, read our guide on what size storage unit you need for a car .
Long-Term Car Storage in Fargo, ND
Storage Kings Fargo offers a wide range of enclosed options for vehicle owners.
Fargo drive-up sizes to consider include:
- 12x20
- 12x30
- 14x30
- 14x40
- 14x50
- 18x50
For customers looking for larger indoor options, Fargo also offers select 18x50 and 20x50 heated storage.
Larger vehicle-storage needs may also be served by 18x55 and 24x50 drive-through units. The drive-through configuration can make maneuvering a larger vehicle easier because you can enter through one side and exit through the other.
The right choice depends on whether you're storing a compact car, collector vehicle, SUV, pickup, or something significantly larger.
Is Heated Car Storage Worth It for Winter?
Heated storage may be worth considering for some vehicles stored through a North Dakota winter, particularly classic, collector, seasonal, or specialty vehicles.
Storage Kings Fargo offers select 18x50 and 20x50 heated storage units, providing larger enclosed options for customers who want their vehicle stored indoors during the winter.
Heated storage is not a substitute for proper long-term vehicle preparation. Battery care, maintenance, tires, fluids, cleaning, and manufacturer-specific storage procedures can still matter.
The right choice comes down to your vehicle, your budget, how long you're storing it, and how much protection you want from North Dakota winter conditions.
How to Keep Mice Away From a Car in Long-Term Storage
A parked vehicle can provide shelter for rodents, particularly during cold weather.
Before storage, remove food, crumbs, trash, pet food, and other materials that could attract pests. Clean the interior and trunk and inspect areas where rodents could potentially enter or nest.
Don't block exhaust components, ventilation systems, drains, or other openings that need to remain unobstructed.
No storage method can guarantee that a vehicle will remain completely pest-free. Removing food and potential nesting materials can help make the vehicle less attractive to rodents.
Should You Start a Stored Car During the Winter?
It's tempting to assume that periodically starting a stored vehicle is always beneficial, but the correct procedure depends on the vehicle.
Starting a car briefly without properly operating it may not provide the benefit an owner expects, and storage recommendations vary among manufacturers and vehicle types.
Instead of following a universal schedule, check the owner's manual or manufacturer guidance for your specific vehicle.
If you're storing a classic, collector, hybrid, EV, diesel, or specialty vehicle, following vehicle-specific guidance becomes even more important.
Long-Term Car Storage Checklist
Before leaving your vehicle in storage for an extended period, make sure you've addressed the major items.
- Clean and completely dry the vehicle.
- Remove food, trash, valuables, and unnecessary belongings.
- Review maintenance needs before storage.
- Prepare the battery according to manufacturer recommendations.
- Check the tires and follow manufacturer storage recommendations.
- Prepare fluids and the fuel system appropriately for your vehicle.
- Inspect for potential pest entry points and nesting materials.
- Choose an appropriate cover if one will be used.
- Measure the complete vehicle before choosing enclosed storage.
- Confirm the storage unit dimensions and overhead-door opening.
- Follow vehicle-specific long-term storage recommendations.
Finally, make sure you understand the facility's vehicle-storage requirements before leaving your car.
Find Long-Term Car Storage in Fargo
Whether you're putting away a summer car for winter, storing a classic or collector vehicle, or simply need somewhere to keep a car for several months, choosing the right storage space is an important part of the process.
Storage Kings Fargo offers drive-up, heated, and extra-large enclosed storage options for a variety of vehicle-storage needs.
The Fargo 12x20 provides 240 square feet of drive-up storage and is a natural size to consider for many standard passenger cars, while larger units provide additional room for SUVs, pickups, specialty vehicles, and other storage needs.
Because Storage Kings offers month-to-month rentals, you also have flexibility over how long you keep the space.
Prepare your car properly, measure it carefully, and choose a storage option that fits both your vehicle and your plans.
Explore our car and vehicle storage options , compare our guide to what size storage unit you need for a car , or check current Storage Kings pricing and availability .
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Compare current Storage Kings availability and find the size and storage type that fits what you need to store.
