How to Store a Car in Self-Storage

January 28, 2025

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Two cars are parked in a row of garages.

When living and working in Elburn, Illinois, parking spaces can be limited outside your home or business. You have to deal with neighborhood ordinances regarding where you can park and how many vehicles are allowed on your property. If you own a large RV or boat on a trailer, you may have limited driveway space and cannot park them on the street. Due to these factors, you may be wondering whether you can store a car in self-storage.

Can You Store a Car in Self Storage?

Self-storage facilities such as Open City Self Storage are ideal options if you need to store an extra vehicle for short and long periods. They can accommodate vehicles of varying sizes as you can access the facility anytime based on your schedule. Many facilities accommodate cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats, RVs, and campers. You may want to store a vehicle if you don't have the driveway space for an extra car, to protect your vehicle from theft or vandalism if you plan to be away from home for vacation or a work trip, or if there are neighborhood rules about keeping a recreational vehicle, such as a boat or RV, parked out on the street.

Choosing the Right Storage Unit for Your Vehicle

When selecting a storage facility, you want to ensure that they have units that will accommodate your vehicle. You want enough space to safely pull your car into the storage space. On the other hand, you don't want to pay for extra space that you don't need or use. Before paying for a storage unit, you'll need to understand the physical dimensions of your car. Also, consider whether you plan to store other items in addition to the vehicle, such as storing tools or garage items with a motorcycle. Next, think about whether you want self-storage options where the car is completely protected from the weather and the type of security features you want available at the facility.

Indoor vs Outdoor Storage Options

Self-storage options allow you to store your vehicle indoors or outdoors. Indoor storage may consist of a completely covered unit that allows you to fit a small vehicle as well as furniture and boxes as it has a garage door. You can also find partially enclosed vehicle storage areas where there is a roof covering the vehicle but it has open sides for airflow. You can also select outdoor storage options where there are parking areas where specific vehicles can be stored, such as an RV lot or a vehicle lot for boats on trailers.

Matching the Unit Size to Your Vehicle Type

When matching the unit size to your vehicle, you want to measure the height and length of the vehicle. You can either go out with a tape measure to figure out the dimensions or check out the manufacturer's website to find out the measurements based on the make and model of your vehicle. Then you want to figure out if you plan on storing other items in addition to the vehicle, as this factor may influence whether you get an outdoor or indoor storage unit.

Our self-storage facility will feature the size of vehicle storage options on the websites. Contacting the self-storage manager allows you to speak with someone personally who can help you decide on the right unit size for your needs. Typically, sizes can range from 10' x 20' for motorcycles, standard cars, and standard trucks to 10' x 25' and 10' x 30' for larger cars, vans, trucks, RVs, boats, and trailers.

A red pickup truck is parked in a garage.

Privacy and Security Options

While storing your car, you don't want to worry about whether it is safe at the facility. Self-storage units offer secure locations that have gated entrances that require electronic access. You have the access code to enter, as you can check on your vehicle and obtain it based on your schedule. Open City Self Storage also has 24/7 vehicle surveillance. These security options ensure that your vehicle is protected and safe at all hours. Nobody who is not authorized can enter the facility.

Facility Features for Easier Car Storage

At Open City Self Storage, we want to make it easy to store your vehicle as well as make storage payments. We have online account access for all of our customers. Through your online account, you can manage your personal information, storage unit options, and payments. You can easily access this through your desktop, laptop, or even phone at any time or location. So if you plan to use a self-storage unit for your vehicle while on a long vacation or business trip, you can manage your account at your convenience.

Tips for Storing Your Vehicle

Before storing your vehicle, you want to clean both the interior and exterior. This cleaning can prevent dirt and grime from forming rust that will begin to corrode vehicle parts. Also, by cleaning out the inside, you can prevent odors as well as pests such as mice from wanting to get inside the vehicle when using outdoor storage options.

Next, you want to take care of your battery. If your car is a newer model that has an engine computer, you want to leave the battery in the vehicle and install a smart charger. Then you can charge up the battery if leaving the car in storage for longer periods. If you are storing an older vehicle without an engine computer, it is ideal to remove the battery.

Since gasoline can begin to break down and degrade when stored for long periods, it is suggested that you use a fuel stabilizer. With a fuel stabilizer, it will slow down the degradation process and allow you to store your vehicle without having to drain the tank.

Lastly, you want to place something, such as a rag, on the tailpipe when using outdoor storage options. Protecting the tailpipe will prevent mice from climbing inside and building nests in your engine compartment or exhaust unit.

Store Your Car with Confidence at Open City Self Storage

Take advantage of a self-storage facility when you need to safely store your vehicle away from your home. Here at Open City Self Storage, we have a variety of drive-up unit sizes as well as boat storage options for your vehicles for residents in the Elburn, Illinois region. Let us be your premier storage option for your vehicles and your other possessions. Sign up now to reserve your storage unit size.