Car Storage in San Francisco, CA

Storing a Car in San Francisco, CA

Here's a brief guide to some common questions about car storage and a few tips for preparing and maintaining your car while it's in storage.

Can you store a car in a storage unit in San Francisco, CA?

Yes, storing a car in a storage unit is quite common for short or long term storage in San Francisco. Car storage units require drive-up accessibility and not all storage facilities have this feature, so you'll want to filter your search to just include facilities with car storage or search by city or zip code on SpareFoot's car storage page.

What size storage do I need for a car near San Francisco, CA?

A 10x20 storage unit is the most common size for car storage. This will fit most sedans, crossovers, SUVs and small trucks. Larger trucks, vans and SUVs will require something larger like a 10x30 storage unit, while compact cars might fit into a 10x15 storage unit. Keep in mind that storage units have 8 foot ceilings, so trucks with higher lifts may not fit. Check out our car storage size guide for more details.

How do you prepare a car for storage in San Francisco, CA?

If you're planning to put a car in long-term storage, generally for 2 or more months, here are steps you can take to prevent damage to the engine and tires:

• Wash and detail the interior and exterior
• Change the engine oil to prevent build-up
• Replace air filters and coolant
• Fill up the gas tank to prevent rust
• Over-inflate the tires, better yet, remove them altogether
• Disconnect the battery to keep it from dying
• Plug the exhaust pipe to prevent rats and pests
• Use a car cover for added protection

Check out our blog post for preparing car for storage to learn more.

How often should you start a car in storage in San Francisco, CA?

While your car is in storage you'll want to start it up at least once every 2 weeks. It's best to let it run (not while in the unit!) or drive it around for 15 minutes. This will make sure everything operates correctly when you take your car out of storage.

Can you work on a car while it's in storage in San Francisco, CA?

It depends; some storage facilities will allow you to work on your car while it's in a storage unit but others will not. This will basically depend on the facility management so definitely ask first.

How long can you leave a car in storage in San Francisco, CA?

As long as you follow the car storage prep and maintenance tips, there's really no limit to how long a car can stay in storage.

What is storage insurance for a car?

Car storage insurance is sometimes referred to as "parked car insurance", but comprehensive coverage is typically the name of the plan offered by insurance companies. This protects against damage to the car while it is in storage but does not include liability coverage like a traditional insurance policy. It's a good idea to maintain insurance covered while the car is in storage and most storage facilities will require proof of insurance too.