The car has been sitting in my driveway since last december. It's only been started twice since then, but both times it started fine. I'm getting my license soon, so I need to know what things i'm probably going to have to do to get it to go. I already know it needs a battery. What else will I probably need? [The car was working great before we stopped using it, and we never had problems with it]
2007-12-10 04:25:28 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Its not a good idea to leave them standing too long - they don't like it at all !
The best way to get everything checked out is probably to take it to a garage (in the UK) and take it through an MOT test .... at least you will be assured that it is safe to drive.
There are a number of things you should check out though ....
Tyres. If you have not moved the car the tyres may have become flat spotted - you will notice that it feels a bit lumpy as you drive it. To overcome this you could try overinflating them a little and driving (carefully) around for a while before reducing the pressure back to the manufacturers recommended level.
Brakes. Your brake discs may have become corroded while it has been sitting there - normally a light coating of rust will simply rub off after a few applications of the brake pedal.
If you are unlucky they will have become pitted - more serious as it will mean replacing the disks.
Handbrake. If you have left the car with the handbrake on you may be in for a surprise when you come to move it as it may be stuck on.
Fuel. Unleaded petrol does go off after a while - you might find that the car does not run quite as well as it did. To overcome this run it as empty as possible and then fill the tank with fresh fuel.
Check all the brake lines as well - they may have been quietly corroding while the car is sat on your drive.
Hope this helps.
2007-12-10 04:41:17 · answer #1 · answered by Petrocelli 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it's been sitting for a long time, there's probably not much oil on all the engine parts. It's best to change the oil before you start it, so that you pour fresh oil on the top of the motor A jump-start would probably get it going, but it would be a good idea to go ahead and replace the battery. The tires will need air. Then check wires for dry-cracking and rodent damage. New spark plugs wouldn't hurt. Hope your driveway isn't full of snow!
2007-12-11 12:51:02 · answer #2 · answered by anyone 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on a lot of things. First, is it carbureted or fuel injected. Most cars from the 90's and newer are fuel injected. If it is carburated, then you will most likely have to clean out the carburetors. Also, was the car covered? If not, you might want to make sure that some movable parts are not rusted still, like the throttle. Check your belts for erosion or decay. It might also need some fuel additive, or even new spark plugs.
2007-12-10 04:32:06 · answer #3 · answered by f*** Y!A 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the car has been sitting unused for a long time, chances are the battery is dead.
You can either get a knew battery, or get an overnight battery charger (which you plug into a wall outlet). New batteries aren't even all that expensive.
2007-12-10 04:31:06 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe some fresh gas. I'd drain the tank to at least halfway and then fill it with fresh gas and rock the car a bit to mix it good.
That should do it unless you had rodents living in the engine compartment. Check your air cleaner for nests and check the wires to see if any have been gnawed. Mice love wires for some reason.
2007-12-10 04:29:46 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
buy the battery and start it and see how it runs..Check your tires make sure they are good. You really wont know what you need until you start it..it probably will need a tune-up and oil change for sure.
2007-12-10 04:29:09 · answer #6 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
check engine oil hasnt got water in it,
give the breaks a test as they may have siezed up,
change the coolant if it looks cloudy after a first run
give it a good clean!!!!
long journey once its running fine may also do it some good
2007-12-10 04:29:59 · answer #7 · answered by tommmythegun 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you already know 2 get battery they make a fuel additive called sea foam u can get it at an auto supply add it to fuel tank because the gas is going to be stale
2007-12-10 06:08:29 · answer #8 · answered by oldschool69 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the tires may have flat spots on them from sitting so long in one place. the oil needs changed too; and you'd need to check your other fluid levels-for starters. where are tom and ray?
2007-12-10 04:37:31 · answer #9 · answered by cryllie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
have u tried trying to jump start the car? maybe it doesn't need a battery!! maybe it just needs to be charged!
2007-12-10 04:29:55 · answer #10 · answered by Staci W 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋