Vehicle Self Storage Units

Learn about different vehicle types & find a vehicle self-storage unit that’s right for you.

Need to store a car, truck, or SUV for a month or longer? A vehicle self storage unit or parking might be an excellent option for short-term and long-term storage! With locations throughout the northeast & midwest, we are sure that we can provide secure vehicle storage. Our team of expert storage managers are able to offer you the insights you need and help you find car storage near you!

We focus on services our customers need, so a time commitment of months or years is never required. Whether you need short-term vehicle storage or you plan to store a car for six months, a year, or longer, your reason for using self storage will never impact the solution available for you to choose from. Use the information curated for you below to help make your decision about renting a car or auto self storage unit today.

Important Vehicle Self-Storage Considerations

Security

When storing a car or vehicle in a self storage facility, you want to be confident that the location is secure. Look for electronic gate access, video surveillance, and well-lit properties. We take security seriously and all of our locations have video surveillance and pin code access electronic gates.

Access Hours

The convenience of accessing your car when you need it should be a significant factor when renting car storage. At most locations we offer extended access hours or even 24 hour access.

Local Weather

The weather in your area will play a significant role in which type of auto storage you decide to rent. For example, if you’re in an area with harsh storms, storing your car in a storage unit should be a strong consideration. Storing your vehicle in a storage unit or indoor car storage can help to ensure that your engine will have less weather-related damage like cracks and seal leaks.

Vehicle Insurance

Before storing a vehicle, be sure to check with your insurance carrier. Many insurance companies offer coverage primarily written to protect your car while in storage. Such off-road coverage can provide significant savings over road insurance coverage.

Types of Self-Storage Units for Vehicles

Many of our locations offer indoor storage, outdoor storage, and even covered vehicle storage space for cars. We know we have something that can work for you. 

Indoor Car Storage

Can you store a car in a storage unit? Yes, you can! Drive-up storage units provide an indoor, garage-like storage space for cars. With varying unit sizes, anything from a compact car to larger pickup trucks or commercial cargo vans can be stored in these units. Typically these units range in size from a 10×20 to a 10×30 or larger. Because of the protection this storage option provides, drive-up access units are great for long-term car storage, storing classic or sports cars, or storing a vehicle in an area with harsh weather conditions.

Outdoor Car Storage

If you live in an area with fantastic weather or prefer a more affordable self storage solution for your vehicle, outdoor car storage is a great option. Many of our self Storage locations offer outdoor parking units or spaces that can easily accommodate cars of all sizes.

Covered Car Storage

With a roof protecting your vehicle from the sun and other elements, covered car storage falls between indoor and outdoor storage. This option is more affordable than indoor storage but also provides better protection against sun, snow, hail, and other elements that could damage your vehicle. If you don’t live in an area with harsh weather or intense storms, this is an excellent option for storing your car.

Checklist for Storage a Vehicle in a Self-Storage Facility

For owners of classic, antique and vintage cars, sports cars, and racing cars, storing your seldom-used car in a self storage unit is often a viable option. Whether your car is an expensive one that you display in auto shows and parades or just an average car holding only personal sentimental value, you will want to know how to prepare your car for storage best. Proper storage will extend the life of your vehicle and keep it looking like new and running in top condition.

Preparing for Storage

While preparing a car for storage, keep the following checklist handy and be sure to follow it carefully so that your vehicle will run to its optimal performance level and continue to look like new when it’s time to take it out of storage. Gather the tools and supplies that you may need before you get started.

• Supplies: tire gauge, plastic drop cloth, cotton cloth, mothballs, mouse traps, plastic bags, duct tape, fuel stabilizer, WD40, desiccant sacs, jack, and jack stands. You may also need a large wood block for the battery and thin wood trim pieces for under the windshield wipers. Make sure that you have adequate amounts of each type of fluid on hand to top off all of your fluids.
• Cleaning: Cleaning your Vehicle thoroughly, both inside and out, is the first step. Wash the exterior and use a buffer over the entire exterior of the car to buff out all imperfections and apply a good coat of wax. This will protect the body from corrosion. Consider having this professionally done. Wipe the mirrors clean. Dirt and residue left on mirrors for long periods can cause rust and corrosion. Remove all trash and debris from the interior of the car. Vacuum it thoroughly to remove all pet hair and food crumbs. Use a stain remover to scrub away any stains from the carpet and upholstery. Use an air freshener spray to remove all odors inside your car. Remove all items from the trunk of your vehicle, and don’t neglect to clean the carpet in the trunk area as well correctly.
• Repairs: The second necessary step is making all needed repairs have been done before placing your car in a vehicle self-storage unit to prevent further deterioration. Change the oil and filter one to two days before storing it. Used oil contains acids, moisture, and other combustion byproducts that will cause engine corrosion over time, especially when the car sits for long periods. Drive your car for several miles after the oil change and before storing it to allow the oil to circulate throughout the entire engine. Pull the spark plugs and add about a teaspoon of engine oil inside of each cylinder. Replace the spark plugs – doing this will coat the inside of the cylinders to prevent rust. Seal off all engine openings using an absorbent cotton cloth. This will absorb any moisture to protect the engine. It will also deter bugs and mice from getting inside. Use cotton cloth to fill other openings in the exhaust pipes and other spaces. Be sure to write this down on your maintenance checklist to remind yourself to remove the cotton cloth when taking your car out of storage before driving it again. Spray the exposed metal surfaces of your engine with a good lubricant such as WD40 to prevent rust. The WD40 will quickly evaporate, causing a protectant film to cover the carb body, hose clamps, coils, and other parts.
• Gasoline: Fill the gas tank to prevent moisture and air from getting into your tank. However, if storing in a poorly ventilated unit where gas fumes may create a problem, keep the gas tank only half full. Add a fuel stabilizer to the gas tank. Be sure to drive the car around for about 10 miles after adding the fuel stabilizer to allow it to circulate throughout the system. Neglecting to add a fuel stabilizer can cause the gas to break down, causing it to form gum and varnish when it deteriorates.
• Brakes: Check the color of the brake fluid. The brake fluid should look clear. If the brake fluid is brown and looks dirty, the brake fluid needs to be flushed out and refilled with new fluid. When brake fluid gets old, it contains moisture which can rust the brake system. Be sure that the brake, clutch, and master cylinders are both full of brake fluid. Brake fluid absorbs water quickly. It is recommended that the brake and clutch fluid be bled out annually to purge the system of contaminated brake fluid.
• Transmission: Flush transmission fluid, steering fluid, and engine coolant if it appears dirty to prevent corrosion to their systems. If these fluids are clear, top them off to prevent air and moisture from getting inside, which will also cause damage.
• Convertible Tops: Convertible Tops should be stored with the top left up. When the convertible top is left open for long periods, it can develop large, ugly-looking creases. Treat the convertible top with silicone or other lubricants. Desiccant sacs can be placed inside the car’s interior on the floor. This will keep moisture that may form from humidity from damaging the top.
• Tires: Tires can go bad when sitting in storage for long periods. They can develop dry rot and flat spots. Avoid using products to give your tires a shine as they will dry out the tires and increase dry rot. Over-inflate the tires slightly to 37 or 38 psi to prevent flat spots. Have tires checked for leaks and have them repaired before storage. Tires with an “H” rating or higher will do best in storage.
• Battery: Refer to your owner’s manual when caring for your battery. Some car specialists suggest removing the battery and placing it on a wooden block, so the battery won’t be drained. Others suggest leaving the battery in the car but disconnecting the negative (-) terminal of the battery. Still, other car specialists insist that the battery should be left intact in the car to prevent voltage spikes. Voltage spikes can do significant damage to components. A Storage Switch can be found on some vehicles. When flipping this switch, the battery shuts off, preventing the battery from draining and deters theft.
• Final Details: Roll up the windows and close vents to protect your car against moisture and from bugs and mice getting inside. Check hoses for bulges and cracks and have them replaced if they show extensive damage. Exhaust Pipes can be protected from moisture and pests from getting inside by placing a plastic bag over the exhaust pipe opening and sealing it around the exhaust pie with duct tape. Windshield Wipers remove the blades and place thin wood strips or white cotton cloth under the wipers to prevent them from scratching the windows. Park the car on a plastic sheet or jacks. Make sure the emergency brake is off to prevent it from sticking. Cover your car with a tarp to keep it safe from dust. Set moth balls around the outside of the car and mouse traps to keep pests away.
• Visiting your Vehicle in Storage: Visit your car at least once a month; start the engine and let it run for a few minutes. WARNING: Ensure you leave the door to your storage unit open when running the engine for proper ventilation. When possible, take your car for a quick drive to get all parts moving.
• Revive the car after long storage. Open all windows to air out your car. Remove the cotton cloth placed in all pipe openings. Remove the plastic bag from the exhaust pipe. Check all fluids. Reinstall the battery and make sure it is fully charged. Take your car for a drive.

Start storing your vehicle today at one of these locations:

New York

• The Storage Mall | Amsterdam
  • 1269 New York 5S, Amsterdam, NY 12010
• The Storage Mall | Batavia Bank St.
  • 8250 Bank St, Batavia, NY 14020
• The Storage Mall | Lockport
  • 6680 Lincoln Ave, Lockport, NY 14304
• The Storage Mall | Macedon Evergreen Hills
  • 3260 Evergreen Hills Dr., Macedon, NY 14502
• The Storage Mall | Macedon Walworth
  • 900 Walworth – Penfield Rd, Macedon, NY 14502
• The Storage Mall | Niagara Falls
  • 2595 Niagara Falls Blvd., Niagara Falls, NY 14304

New Jersey

• The Storage Mall | Toms River James St.
  • 25 James St, Toms River, NJ 08753
• The Storage Mall | Toms River Flint Rd.
  • 29 Flint Rd., Toms River, NJ 08757

Delaware

• The Storage Mall | Townsend
  • 29 Flint Rd., Toms River, NJ 08757

Missouri

• Cedar Hill Storage | Cedar Hill Mall Dr.
  • 6645 Mall Drive, Cedar Hill, MO 63016
• Cedar Hill Storage | Cedar Hill Pine Lane
  • 20 Pine Lane, Cedar Hill, MO 63016
• Gateway Storage | Rolla
  • 11295 Old Highway 66, Rolla, MO 65401
• Rolla Safe Keep Storage | Rolla
  • 11289 Twitty Drive, Rolla, MO 65401
• St. James Safe Keep Storage | St. James
  • 13191 Old Highway 66, St. James, MO 65559
• Lock N Store Storage | Warrensburg
  • 614 N. Ridgeview Drive, Warrensburg, MO 64093

Wisconsin

• Rock Lake Storage | Lake Mills
  • 650 Owen Street, Lake Mills, WI 53551
• All-Stor Self Storage | West Bend Co Hwy A
  • 2214 County Highway A, West Bend, WI 53090
• All-Stor Self Storage | West Bend Town Hall Rd.
  • 3477 Town Hall Road, West Bend, WI 53090

Illinois

• Gateway Storage | Belleville Tower Plaza
  • 101 Tower Plaza, Belleville, IL 62220
• Gateway Storage | Belleville Royal Heights
  • 17 Royal Heights Centre, Belleville, IL 62226
• Gateway Storage | Effingham
  • 707 E. Fayette Avenue, Effingham, IL 62401
• Gateway Storage | Columbia
  • 300 Rueck Road, Columbia, IL 62236
• Peoria Storage Center | Belleville Enterprise Rd.
  • 6014 Enterprise Rd., Bellevue, IL 61604
• Peoria Storage Center | Peoria W. Plank Rd.
  • 7030 W. Plank Rd., Peoria, IL 61604
• Alligator Self Storage | Carbondale
  • 1295 Harmony Lane, Carbondale, IL 62902

Kansas

• Quality Mini Storage | Independence
  • 2215 W. Laurel St., Independence, KS 67301