I'm Coming Out—Tips For Taking That Prized Car Out Of Storage This Summer

Chances are that if you have a car that you only drive in the summer, you're bound to take special care of it. It's likely your joy car, that you won't dare expose to cold air, salty streets and dangerous conditions. Or perhaps you have a car stored at a vacation home or part time residence. When a vehicle sits for a long period of time, it is important to take the proper steps to get it out of storage and ready to drive. Without this prep, you're likely to overextend your vehicle and risk expensive repairs or death via car misuse. Here are some tips to follow to ensure that your beloved automobile can stand the test of time.

Test The Tires

Over the winter months the tire pressure in stored cars will change. The expansion and contraction of air due to temperature will have an effect on PSI (pressure per square inch). Driving with under-inflated tires will cause extensive wear to the sides of the wheels instead of even distribution. What does this mean? While the center of your tire is full of great tread, the sides will be trashed which could lead to dangerous conditions, especially in summer rain. Under-inflated tires will lead to drivers purchasing new tires much sooner than expected. To check your tire pressure, use a tire pressure gauge from any auto parts store to make sure each tire is inflated to the proper PSI. You can find the PSI specifications located on the side of the vehicle's drivers-side door.

If tire pressure is too low, inflate the tires to proper PSI, but don't over-inflate them. Over-inflation will lead to excessive tire wear on the middle of the tires which, again, will lead to the necessity of premature new tires.

Bother The Battery

When a car sits idle for long periods of time the battery is bound to loose charge. A battery testing kit is easy to purchase from an auto parts store and can potentially save your car. Starting a car for the first time all year with an under-charged battery is detrimental to the overall health of an engine, let alone a cold engine. If the battery charge is low, make sure to charge it or make your way to the store to get a new one.

When buying a new battery, make sure to keep your receipt. Often, according to state laws, a "core charge" will be added to your total on top of the cost of the battery. This is to ensure that after you install the new battery you will bring the old one back to the store so it can be disposed of properly to avoid environmental damage or fire. Once the old one is brought back, you will be refunded for the additional charge. When you take the old battery out to place the new one, make sure to never turn a battery upside down to avoid getting nasty battery acid all over yourself and never put a new battery on the concrete floor, as it can cause the battery to loose it's charge.

Look At Lubrication

Unnoticed oil leaks can cause engine oil to seep out during winter storage. Check your oil levels on the dipstick to see that your car has the proper amount of oil. Not using enough oil is one of the best ways to limit the life expectancy of your automobile. No oil will lead to your engine freezing up and never being able to start again. When refilling the oil, also be sure not to add too much in order to avoid placing unnecessary pressure on the oil pump.

Audit Your Auto

Before taking your pride and joy on the first ride of the summer, make sure to give the vehicle a visual look over. Not all vehicular problems are technical issues that take much know-how to diagnose. A visual once-over of a car can show if rodents have chewed holes in hoses or pipes, which is a possibility as they seek shelter from the winter elements.

Run Your Ride

If you believe your car is in tip top shape after following these basic tips to ensure the quality of your ride, drive worry-free knowing that your vehicle is all set.

Robert Mathius is a Chicago suburb native who currently lives in Tinley Park. He has a passion for the automotive industry in addition to journalism and works to blend his two passions in his writing. Additional automotive reporting by Robert can be found on Examiner.com.