How to Store Your Car During Summer Break
Where to store your car and what each option costs
If you're leaving your car behind during summer break, you have three main storage routes: keeping it at your parents' house or a friend's place, renting a storage unit, or paying a parking facility near campus. Each has different costs and trade-offs.
Storing at a home — yours, your parents', or a trusted friend's — is free but requires someone to check on the car periodically and have liability insurance that covers a parked vehicle on their property. A climate-controlled storage unit runs anywhere from $50 to $200 per month depending on your region and unit size; an unheated unit costs less but exposes your car to temperature swings and humidity. Parking facilities near campus or in your college town typically charge $30 to $100 monthly and offer security but no climate control.
Before you choose, check whether your car insurance covers long-term storage. Some policies require you to notify your insurer if the car will sit unused for more than 30 days, and a few will reduce your premium during that time if you ask.
Key Takeaways
- A car sitting unused for months needs battery maintenance, tire pressure checks, and fuel stabilizer to prevent damage.
- Home storage is free but requires someone to start the engine monthly and check tire pressure; storage units cost $50 to $200 monthly but handle climate control.
- Tell your insurance company if your car will sit unused for more than 30 days, as some policies require notification and a few offer reduced rates for storage periods.
- Before you leave, fill the gas tank, add fuel stabilizer, and leave the parking brake off to prevent brake corrosion and flat spots on tires.
What to do to your car before you leave it for the summer
A car that sits for two to four months without running will develop problems if you skip basic prep. The battery will drain, the fuel will break down, tires will develop flat spots, and the engine may seize if moisture builds up inside.
Start by filling the gas tank completely and adding a fuel stabilizer (available at any auto parts store for $5 to $15). Fuel stabilizer keeps gasoline from separating and gumming up your fuel injectors. Change the oil and oil filter before you leave — old oil collects moisture and acids that corrode engine parts when the car sits. Check and top off all other fluids: coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid, and windshield washer.
Inflate your tires to the pressure listed on the driver's door jamb, not the maximum pressure on the tire itself. Tires that sit flat for months develop permanent flat spots. If you're storing the car for longer than three months, consider jacking it up so the tires don't touch the ground, or rotate the wheels every few weeks if someone is checking on the car.
Disconnect the negative battery terminal to prevent slow battery drain. If you're storing at home and someone will start the engine monthly, leave it connected — a monthly 15-minute drive will keep the battery charged. Crack the windows slightly to allow air circulation and prevent mold, but not so much that rain or animals can enter.
How to restart your car after summer storage
When you return, do not just turn the key. Check the battery first — if it's dead, charge it before starting. Look under the car for leaks (oil, coolant, or brake fluid pooling underneath means a problem). Check tire pressure again; tires lose pressure over time, especially in heat.
Start the engine and let it idle for 10 to 15 minutes without driving. This allows the fuel stabilizer to circulate and the engine to warm up gradually. Drive gently for the first 10 to 15 miles — no highway speeds or hard acceleration — to let the brakes and transmission adjust after sitting.
If the car does not start after 30 seconds of cranking, stop and have it towed to a mechanic rather than draining the battery further. If it starts but runs rough or stalls, it may need a fuel system cleaning, which a mechanic can do.
Insurance and registration during storage
You must keep your car insured even while it sits unused. Letting insurance lapse creates a gap in coverage that can cause problems when you restart the car — some insurers will not cover damage that happened during a lapse, and driving without insurance is illegal in South Carolina.
Contact your insurance company before you leave and tell them the car will be stored and unused for the summer. Some insurers offer a reduced rate for storage periods; others simply note it in your file. If you're storing the car at a facility, the facility may require proof of insurance before you drop it off.
Your registration does not need to be renewed while the car is stored, but make sure it does not expire during your storage period. If it does, renew it before you leave so you can legally drive the car when you return.
Protecting your car from theft and weather damage
If you're storing at a paid facility, choose one with fencing, lighting, and security cameras. Ask whether the facility has had break-ins and whether they offer insurance for stored vehicles. Some do; most do not, so your personal auto insurance is your only protection.
If you're storing at home, park in a garage if one is available. If you must park outside, use a car cover to protect the paint from sun damage, bird droppings, and tree sap. A basic cover costs $20 to $50. Do not use a cover if the car will sit in a damp location — moisture trapped under the cover can cause rust.
Remove or hide the battery terminals, steering wheel lock, or other visible valuables. Leave the car in a neutral gear with the parking brake off to prevent brake corrosion. If someone is checking on the car monthly, ask them to move it slightly — even 10 feet — to keep the tires from developing permanent flat spots.
What happens if you store your car illegally
Some college towns and residential areas have rules against long-term vehicle storage on public streets or in certain parking lots. Check your local city or county ordinances before you leave your car behind. Parking enforcement can ticket or tow a car that violates storage rules, and you will owe towing and storage fees to retrieve it.
If you're storing on campus, ask your residential life office or parking department whether summer storage is permitted and where. Many colleges do not allow cars to remain in student lots during breaks, and some charge a summer storage fee if they do.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I store my car in a friend's driveway without telling my insurance company?
You should notify your insurer that the car will be unused for an extended period. While parking at a friend's house is not illegal, some policies require notification if a car will sit for more than 30 days. Failing to notify could give the insurer a reason to deny a claim if something happens while the car is stored.
What if I leave my car at campus over the summer?
Contact your college's parking office before the end of spring semester. Many schools require you to move your car or pay a summer storage fee. Some do not permit cars in student lots during breaks at all. Get the rule in writing so you know what to expect.
Do I need to run my car's engine while it's stored?
If someone is checking on the car monthly, a 15-minute drive once a month will keep the battery charged and prevent fuel from breaking down. If no one will be visiting, disconnect the negative battery terminal and add fuel stabilizer before you leave. The car can sit safely for three to four months with these steps.
Will my tires go flat if I leave the car parked all summer?
Tires lose pressure over time and can develop permanent flat spots if they bear the car's weight for months. Inflate them to the correct pressure before you leave, and ask someone to check pressure and rotate the wheels every four to six weeks if possible. If you're storing for longer than three months, consider jacking the car up so the tires do not touch the ground.
What should I do if my car won't start when I come back?
Check the battery first — it may simply be dead from sitting. Charge it and try again. If the car starts but runs rough, it may need a fuel system cleaning. If it does not start after 30 seconds of cranking, have it towed to a mechanic rather than draining the battery further.