SPECIALTY AUTO STORAGE - SERVING YOU SINCE 1996
CALGARY'S #1 AUTO STORAGE FACILITY WITH OVER 500 HEATED BAYS
Who Uses Our Service?
We do not have to tell you about the brutal Calgary winters. You are not going to take your expensive exotic, classic, luxury or special auto out on those roads! These are our main customers, people who need more garage space at home to keep the daily driver inside at -40 or so. Or maybe you just have an extra vehicle that you are just not using. Working overseas? With the mobile work force in Calgary, many people store their cars with us as they head to a new country for a temporary job placement. Whatever the reason, you can be assured that your car will be well looked after in your absence.
What to consider before storing your auto:
Change Oil & Filter
It’s important to put fresh oil and a new filter in the car. Otherwise, contaminants in the old oil will have a field day corroding the insides of your engine.
Gas up
Make sure the tank is as full as possible to prevent undue air in the gas tank. Air (along with its moisture) will result in condensation in the tank. You do not want water in the gas and the injection system. Use a gasoline stabilizer such as STABIL. Put this in before fueling up and run the engine to make sure that it fills the system with the stabilized gas.
Over-inflate Tires
Inflate them to perhaps 40-50 psi. I have not seen any problems of flat spotting from storage with today’s lower profile radial tires, but this will protect against the normal 1 psi or so of natural pressure loss per month.
Wash Car
But DO NOT put it away wet unless you want to encourage rust to form everywhere the water collects. Try to wash it the day before you bring it in for storage.
Clean Wheels
And we mean really clean them! Brake dust is very corrosive and you do not want that sitting on your wheels all winter. If you are ambitious, give them a good coat of wax and you will find that brake dust will not adhere to them so much.
To Start or Not?
I’m of the school which says don’t start the engine while in storage. Most engine wear happens in those first few minutes when a car is started because the oil has not fully circulated and your engine is running dry. Also, the engine will probably not get hot enough to burn off the moisture, acids, etc. that it creates while running for a short while. This will only contaminate your fresh oil that you just put in.
Your Battery
This is what we look after for you. After many years and thousands of cars stored, we found that the best bet is to disconnect the negative battery cable for winter storage. In our heated facility, the battery will hold its charge throughout the storage season. While we will use a battery maintainer on your car if you request, there is always a battery failure or two as a result of the maintainers either overcharging or not keeping up to the electrical draw from your car over time.
Adjust Your Insurance Coverage
Check with your insurance provider to adjust your coverage while in storage. Most people cancel their liability and collision while the car is not in use, and just carry fire, theft and vandalism coverage. This can save you hundreds of dollars. Check with your insurance agent for the best advice with your policy.
Accessing Your Vehicle
24 hours notice is appreciated when you decide to pick up or drop off your vehicle. This allows us to properly prepare and ready your vehicle for your arrival. During the winter season hours listed below, we require 1 week notice.Hours of Operation
Our regular business hours are: Monday to Friday 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. Saturdays 9:00 am to noon. Closed Sundays. After hour drop offs or pick ups available with appointment.Winter months - December 1st to April 1st: Office is closed during this period. Access to storage is available with 1 week notice. Email and telephone messages are checked daily and we respond quickly.
