What should you do before leaving your car in airport parking for several days?

It’s your prized possession, you four-wheeled friend. We get it! You’re a little nervous about leaving your car to the tender mercies of an airport parking lot while you’re away. You considered getting a rideshare (surge pricing!), you even thought about asking your friend to drop you off (and give up their beauty sleep?), and then realized that airport parking was your best option. Don’t worry too much, we have a few helpful suggestions on how you can keep your car safe in an airport parking lot, whether you’ll be away for a couple of days or several. Follow these, and you should be okay.

We cannot stress how important this is. It’s the most logical thing, if you think about it. If thieves don’t see anything of value in your car, they will be less inclined to break into it. This includes electronic items like laptops, tablets, phones, power banks, and chargers (especially if they have highly visible white wires). There are folks whose cars were broken into because thieves spotted a laptop bag and figured there was a laptop in it. If you’re one of those people who leave your extra key in your car, don’t. Why make it easier for someone to steal your car or take it for a joyride? Yes, most airport parking lots on Globalairportparking.com are secure, but it’s still better to err on the side of caution in this case.

This is car storage 101, and for good reason. You should make sure your tires are properly inflated before leaving them in an airport parking lot for several days so that you won’t come back to a flat tire. You’ll also be able to drive home safely without having to make any stops on the way. This is especially important during winter, because your car will be exposed to the cold (even in indoor lots), and that can affect your tires.

This step actually depends on how old your car battery is. Newer batteries will retain charge longer than older ones. If your car battery is more than three years old, it might run out of power faster, especially in modern variants. This is because parts such as the clock, radio, engine control unit, and dashcam use a small amount of power even when the car is off. If you plan to be away for more than four weeks, you should disconnect the battery or use a trickle charger. This will help make sure the battery has enough power to start the car when you return.

No one really wants to do a gas station run first thing after you land. And if you own an EV, you really don’t want to come back to a dead car! To avoid this, make sure your car has enough gas to get you back from the lot to your home. If you’re planning to leave your car in an airport parking lot for 3 to 4 weeks, consider adding a fuel stabilizer to your tank. This will help prevent the gas in your tank from oxidizing.

Electric vehicle owners would do well to charge their vehicles to 100% before they drive to the lot. Once your car is parked, you’re likely to lose 2% of your charge in a week, so you’ll be safe.

If your car is going to be parked for a longish time, you must check its oil and fluids and make sure they’re topped up. This is important to prevent engine damage, rust, or any other degradation that can happen due to inactivity. Make sure these are topped up before you leave:

We strongly recommend you go full-on Marie Kondo on your car before leaving it parked in an airport lot for a long time. This is not just to spark joy, trust us. A cluttered car attracts unwanted attention and gives the impression of easy pickings compared to a clean one, which suggests the vehicle is secure and well-protected. Also, you really don’t want to come back to a car that smells of week-old food or coffee remnants, do you?

Parking at the cheapest lot available is tempting, especially if you’re going to be away for more than a week. However, you should consider factors like security features, weather conditions during your trip, operating hours, and 24/7 customer support. All the lots on Globalairportparking.com have clear descriptions of the amenities and security measures they offer.

Getting to the lot early means you have enough time to get to the lot, park, wait for the shuttle, and still reach the airport with enough time to board your flight. This is super important, considering how unpredictable TSA wait times can be.  It’s when you’re in a rush that you’re likely to forget things like locking your car or taking your laptop.