Planning on storing your vehicle for the winter? Or are you leaving town for an extended vacation? Whatever it may be, there are a few things you need to ensure before locking your car away long-term, and no, it’s not as simple as throwing a sheet over it and saying goodbye. There are a few reasons why this is important, including keeping it in good shape, reducing the cost of car insurance, and preventing damage. Here are some things to ensure before storing a vehicle:

1. Find the right place

You might have space in your garage, but if not, you’ll probably need to look at a storage facility. Just make sure to avoid locations with excess moisture—while this doesn’t mean a climate-controlled space, too much moisture can cause rusting which you won’t be happy to return to. Additionally, you should make sure that the storage area is on a level concrete or asphalt surface as opposed to gravel or bare earth. The latter can expose your vehicle to moisture, contaminants, or it could begin to sink into the ground if it’s left for too long.

2. Top up all fluids

To avoid corrosion in your vehicle’s fluid tanks, make sure to fill up on fuel, antifreeze, windshield fluid, and brake fluid—take it for a drive before storing it to get the fluids circulating. Furthermore, if the storage space isn’t heated, you’ll want to use winter-appropriate antifreeze and windshield fluid.

3. Consider a fuel stabilizer

Fuel stabilizers can be a lifesaver if you’re going to store your vehicle for a long period of time. This helps to extend the life of the fuel in your tank, as well as protects your entire fuel system by preventing gum and varnish build-up. When you’re ready to drive your car again, it will be a quick and easy start as long as you use fuel stabilizer.

4. Keep pests away

To keep pests away from your vehicle while it’s stored, you’ll want to close all air vents, block your exhaust pipe with steel wool, and try using mint leaves or mothballs inside your vehicle to deter pests. The last thing you want is to open your car up to a family of small animals or insects that have taken over your vehicle.

5. Change the vehicle’s oil

Even if your car isn’t due for an oil change quite yet, doing this before you store it away is a good idea. As oil gets used, corrosive materials can build up and eventually begin to corrode your engine if they sit in your tank for too long. After changing the oil, make sure you drive around in order to get the engine oil to reach its full operating temperature, and you’ll be good to store it away!

6. Ask your insurance broker about potential savings

If your car is going to be off the road completely for some time, be sure to contact your car insurance broker and ask about saving some money on insurance until you’re ready to drive again.