Tips On Starting a Car After Sitting for Months

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If you have ever had to have your vehicle sit for months on end, you probably already know that it may be difficult to start up. Maybe you’re going on vacation and your vehicle will be sitting and won’t be used for awhile. I’m sure for many when the pandemic hit, they were not driving around much either. Your vehicle may have been sitting because of the pandemic and not wanting to go anywhere or being able to. Whatever that reason may be, here are some tips that I hope will be helpful in case your car doesn’t want to start.

What May Happen If Your Car Isn’t Started For A Month

Cars shouldn’t be sitting around because they’re meant to be driven. If you leave it unused, your engine fluid will start to break down, parts that aren’t getting lubricated begin to corrode, and what’s even worse, animals may move in. They tend to chew on anything they can reach. Rodents will often chew through wiring harnesses or other car parts that are made out of organic materials, which can cause substantial damage.

Tires can also be affected. The air will start to slowly leak out of the tires, especially when it’s cold out. The weight of the vehicle will still press down onto the deflating tires, which can cause flat spots. Usually if you fill the tires with air, this can solve the problem, but sometimes flat spots can become permanent. Moisture can also start to accumulate in the gas tank if the car is left unused for a long period of time. This could end up leading to corrosion over time.

What to Do If Your Car is Left Unused For Three Months

Check the Engine Oil

Make sure to always check your oil level using the dipstick. The correct oil level should be between the two indicator marks on the dipstick. Make sure to wait ten minutes after your engine is cooled before checking the oil. Also make sure to check the color and consistency of the oil when checking it. If it is thick, gritty and dark, then it’s probably time for an an oil change. If your oil is low, you should never drive it.

Check All Exterior Lights

Make sure to check your headlights, fog lights, high-beam lights, brake lights, reverse lights, and indicators to see if they’re all working properly. It’s easiest to have someone help you out to see if they’re all working while you turn them on.

Check For Signs of Leaks

Check the floor under the car to see if there are any signs of something leaking. Usually you can tell the issue by the color of the leak. Of course it is always best to have a professional inspect and diagnose it though.

• Black or light brown usually indicates an engine oil leak
• Red or brown usually indicates a transmission leak
• Clear, red or brown usually indicates a power steering leak
• Transparent yellow or brown usually indicates a brake system leak

Driving your car while it’s leaking fluid can cause serious (and expensive) damage. It’s important to avoid driving if there are any signs of a leak.

Check the Brake Fluid

In order to check the brake fluid level, you need to identify the brake master cylinder reservoir. This is usually mounted at the rear of the engine, in line with the position of the brake pedal. If you can’t find it, check your owners manual. Remove the cap of the reservoir and note if the fluid looks healthy or dirty. If your brake fluid is low, it could indicate a problem with your brakes that will need repair asap. Dirty brake fluid can indicate water contamination has occurred and the vehicle’s brake system will need to be flushed.

Inspect the Battery

Jump starting your vehicle could solve the problem, but after doing a jump start, let your vehicle run 5-10 minutes to recharge the battery. Then you can switch it off and attempt to restart it. If your car won’t restart, there could be a problem with the battery or your vehicle’s electrical system that could leave you stranded if it’s not remedied. Make sure to remove the battery cables and check the battery terminals to see if they are clean and clear of debris and corrosion before jump starting your vehicle.

Ideally, the battery should have a full charge before the vehicle goes into storage, and disconnected from the engine to prevent discharging. The charge should be checked every three months and the battery recharged if it drops under around 12.4 volts.

Check the Gas

Gas starts to break down within a month. It will start to form a gummy residue that ends up getting released into the fuel system. Old fuel can even cause the engine to misfire and stall. Once gas starts to break down, you’ll probably notice a distant sour smell that smells like varnish. Old gas tends to be darker than fresh gas.

It is recommended that you drain the tank and fill it with fresh oil if it has been sitting for three months or longer. If it has been sitting for a month or two, it’s recommended to top up the fuel tank with fresh gas to dilute the old gas before it passes through your vehicle’s fuel system.

Also, if you won’t be driving your car much, and it’s likely to sit idle for 30 days or more, a fuel stabilizer should be added to the gas. This will prevent degradation for up to 12 months and is the easiest way to avoid damage to your car’s fuel system.

Inspect the Tires

You should always check your tires to make sure they’re in good condition. Air pressure should be checked and adjusted to the manufacturer’s recommended psi. This can be found on a sticker that is usually located on the driver’s door jamb. If you can’t find it, you can always look in the owner’s manual.

While you’re inspecting, you may see that your tires look normal, but when you get behind the wheel to take your car for its first spin in months, instead of the familiar smooth ride, you may feel a vibration through the steering wheel and hear an unfamiliar noise. This is caused by a flat spot in the tire, which is a problem for any car that sits idle for extended periods of time. This can occur when a stationary tire has to bear the load of a vehicle for an extended period. As the weight of the vehicle presses down, the bottom of the tire spreads out on the ground. When time goes on, the rubber gets stiffer, leaving flat spots on the tire. Once you drive the car and the tires get warm and regain flexibility, the flat spots will disappear. This usually takes around 15 minutes. In extreme winter temperatures, these flat spots can become permanent if a vehicle hasn’t moved for several months.

Check For Rodents

When it gets cooler out, rats and mice usually look for warm shelter. That could mean in your car. If they’re in your car, their sharp teeth can cause a lot of damage.

Signs that your car may have a mouse problem include:

• Droppings and an associated bad smell
• Unfamiliar noises when you switch on the fan or heater, indicating the presence of a nest
• Food scraps in unusual places
• Check engine light on your dash, indicating wiring damage
• Bite marks on hoses and wires

It can be a very time-consuming job to get the mice out. You’ll have to get rid of the nest as well as clean and disinfect the area around the nest, and more than likely repair any damage they caused. There are many methods to prevent mice from moving back in such as spraying peppermint oil or putting out moth balls. Forget the ultrasonic sound repellents though, because they won’t do anything besides put a hole in your wallet.

Follow these tips so you can preserve the life of your vehicle while it’s not being used.