How to Store a Car in Florida

Florida can be brutal during the hot, summer months. For this reason, many homeowners choose to spend their summers in other states such as Indiana, New York, and Michigan where the summers are more forgiving. 

Before you leave, though, ensure you’ve stored your belongings properly, and this should include your car. The last thing you want is to come back in October and find out that something has happened to your car. 

In today’s article, we’ll take you through 5 tips on how to store your car in Florida. 

1. How Can You Control Humidity Levels in the Garage?

If you’re like most people, then chances are that your garage isn’t air-conditioned. Without the space being air-conditioned, humidity levels can become very high during the summer months. 

A box fan can be an effective cooling solution for your garage. You can get it from a Home Depot or at Lowe’s. In addition, consider getting a programmable timer as well that can connect to the fan. Ideally, set the time to turn on every day between 12 pm and 5 PM. This is the time that humidity is high during the day. 

Another alternative is a portable dehumidifier. This can ensure that relative humidity never goes past your desired setting, thus protecting your car from damage.

2. Should Your Leave Your Car’s Windows Open or Closed?

Everyone has their own opinion when it comes to this. Leaving your car’s windows open will allow air circulation, especially if you have a box fan installed. And when air is circulating, it makes it harder for mold spores to settle in your car and spread. 

But if you choose to leave your car’s windows closed, then do so for the vents as well. Ensure that you engage your air recirculation button prior to turning off your car. Doing this will ensure that the air intake door-vent is closed. The professional keyholder we provide for your home can change the state of your windows if you change your mind after leaving.

Keeping your vehicle moisture-free is key to keeping your vehicle mold-free. What’s more, keeping your windows closed will also help deter critters from making your vehicle their home. 

3. How Should You Maintain Your Car’s Battery?

The last thing you want is to come back home only to find that your car won’t start. The blazing hot summer months coupled with an idle car can cause the battery to go flat. You may then need to jump-start your car or charge your battery for it to start.

Now, there are three ways on how to go about battery maintenance: 

Disconnect the Battery

Although you may lose your radio and dashboard settings, you’d still have a full battery after your vacation. 

Connect it to a Battery Maintainer

Left for a long period of time, a battery charger can kill your battery. A battery maintainer, on the other hand, is safe for your battery even for long periods of time. A battery maintainer trickles enough charge to a battery to keep it from going flat. A good battery maintainer usually costs anywhere from $35 and $70 depending on the one you choose. 

Leave Your Battery

Typically, people that choose this option do so because:

• They don’t want to disconnect their battery so that they don’t lose their settings. 
• They just bought a new vehicle and believe nothing can happen. 
• They are afraid their battery maintainer could malfunction and cause a fire. 

4. How Do Your Avoid Flat Spots on Your Tires?

Flat spots occur when a tire has been stationary for a prolonged period of time. When you drive with a flat spot, you may feel a vibration that may make driving exceptionally uncomfortable and unsafe. 

The following are some tips to help minimize the occurrence of flat spots:

• Ensure that all your tires have the recommended pressure. 
• Park your car on a piece of thick carpeting. Flat spots occur when tires come into contact with a hot or cold concrete surface. 

• Have a trusted neighbor or a home watch company move your car so that your tires don’t sit on the same spot for too long. 
• Buy flat-free tire supports. Depending on the type you buy, these can cost you anywhere between $80 and $300. Once you set your tires on these flat-free tire supports, they will settle into the ramp’s depression, helping weight gets dispersed evenly onto the tire. 

5. What’s the Best Way to Cover Your Car?

Whether or not to cover your car depends on where you’re leaving it. If leaving it inside the garage, then covering it won’t really be necessary unless you want to protect it from dirt and dust. 

But if you choose to cover it anyway, then make sure your car is completely clean and dry. This will help ensure that you don’t trap any moisture that could cause paint discoloration or result in the growth of surface mold. 

If you are storing your car outside, say beneath a carport, then you’ll still need to ensure your car is clean and dry. Ideally, go with a breathable, waterproof cover. 

Additional Tips on Storing a Car in Florida in Summer

• Clean your car’s interior before leaving. 
• Have your home watch company carry out a visual inspection of your garage to look for signs of water damage, ceiling leaks, and rodent issues. 
• Have your home watch company do a visual check of your car to check for signs of mold, flat tires, or a malfunctioning battery maintainer. 

Summary

There are plenty of steps you can take to ensure that your car is protected while you’re away. If you would like additional help securing your vehicle or protecting your property calling on home watch experts. 

Income Realty Home Watch can provide these services to you ensuring your peace of mind while you’re away. Our services are tailored to property owners who leave their home unoccupied but want the assurance it’s being looked after properly. Get in touch with us today for more information!