Old Gal, Blue Boy or The Beast. No matter what nickname you give your car, one thing is for certain: You couldn’t make it through your day without it. So, doesn’t it make sense to store your car in a place that will keep her safe?
When your car is left on the curb, it’s exposed to all sorts of elements and dangers. If you don’t do something to remedy this situation, you’re only selling yourself and your ride short.
Here are eight reasons why it’s smart to store your car in a garage or some other covering.
Let’s get started!
1. Store Your Car in a Garage to Keep it Looking Better
If you’re like many other motorists, let’s face it: You take great pride in your ride. So, why not keep it sheltered?
If you do, it’ll look much better for longer. And, in turn, you will, too.
Storing cars in garage buildings keeps them protected from all of the debris it’ll otherwise encounter outdoors. This includes dust, nightly dewfall or even the dreaded bird droppings.
But Mom always told you not to judge a book by its cover. So, let’s take a look past looks for a minute.
Shielding your car from outdoor debris won’t just make it look good. It’ll also save you time and money in the long run.
After all, debris will only speed up the deterioration of your vehicle’s protective finish. We know you have a need for speed, but that’s not exactly the speed you need.
By keeping your car protected, you can avoid having to take your vehicle to the car wash constantly. And you’ll also avoid having to take your car in for a fresh paint job down the road.
Plus, you can protect your car from the damage caused by the likes of plummeting tree branches, which can cause broken windows, dents and scratches that devalue your car.
The more you store your car in a protected area, the higher your resale value may be.
2. Decrease Your Chances of Experiencing Theft
Another reason to keep your vehicle inside a garage building? Theft won’t be as big of a threat to you.
But that’s not all.
You’ll also be less likely to fall victim to vandalism.
A car is a major investment. In fact, in many cases, its value ranks only second to that of a person’s house. So, just as you take the necessary precautions to deter criminals from breaking into your home, it only makes sense to do the same for your vehicle.
Garages and metal carports help to eradicate the temptation others may feel to damage or take your car when you least expect it.
3. Enjoy More Convenience
Yet another reason to keep your automobile in a garage or underneath a carport is that it makes your life easier.
Need we say more?
When the morning rain is coming down quickly and furiously, a garage or other covering for your vehicle will keep you from starting your day soaking wet.
Plus, who wants to clear off a windshield covered with snow and ice before making the daily trek to work? There’s nothing like entering your office with cold in your bones and numb hands because you failed to cover up your car the night before.
When your vehicle is protected, it stays dry and free of snow and ice. That means when it’s time to leave the house, you can simply put your key in the ignition and go. Go figure.
That means no more having to rely on your trusty-dusty ice scraper at 7 a.m. And no more hanging your head out of the driver’s side window on your speedy drive to work. No more.
4. Protect Your Vehicle from Storms
When we talk about the outdoor elements, we can’t limit our discussion to rain, snow and ice. Hail and wind can also be major threats to your car, just as they can be to your home.
Fortunately, if you store your vehicle in a garage building, you don’t have to worry about it taking a beating when a hailstorm rolls through.
Even a simple windstorm can blow items onto your vehicle. Like we mentioned before, this can easily lead to dings, dents and chipped paint.
However, if your car stays covered in a garage or under a metal carport, Mother Nature’s fury will be no match for it.
5. Decrease Your Insurance Costs
Did you know that several insurance agencies will decrease your auto insurance premiums if you regularly keep your vehicle in a garage that remains locked?
No, we’re not kidding.
So, as we mentioned earlier, remember this: Keeping your car in a garage building does more than just protect your vehicle. It may protect your personal bottom line each month, too.
6. Keep Your Engine Lubricated
A garage keeps your vehicle warmer than it would be if it were sitting outside. And that’s not just good for you — it’s good for your car, too.
When you keep your vehicle warm, the oil and fluid remain stable. As a result, your engine will run better than it would if kept outdoors.
7. Keep Your Coolant Warmer
This is another reason to store your car in a garage.
When your coolant stays warmer, your heat and AC will come more quickly when you turn it on. That can feel like a godsend on extremely cold or sweltering days.
8. Privacy
Finally, a top reason to have a garage is to enjoy the privacy that comes with it. You can carry your purchases from your car into your home without the whole neighborhood seeing the new TV you bought, for instance.
And if you’re a DIY mechanic, you can’t beat the higher level of privacy you’ll enjoy when working on your car inside a garage rather than in your front yard.
How We Can Help
We offer a wide variety of car repair manuals and tools that can come in handy when you’re in a pinch. We also offer vehicle safety and car buying tips.
Contact us to find out more about how you can make the most of your car ownership experience.