YACT: My car has been sitting for months...

[stevens]

My car was due for an oil change before I left for school, so after I get it jumped/charged, I'm going to go get that done. While I'm at the mechanics is there anything I should have checked out or any other fluids I should have changed? Thanks
Steven

 

[imported_LoKe]

Did you have it up on blocks? I couldn't imagine the tires are doing too well.

 

[DougK62]

What car and how long has it been sitting? Any modern car sitting for a few months is no problem - just start it up and go.

 

[DougK62]

Originally posted by: LoKe
Did you have it up on blocks? I couldn't imagine the tires are doing too well.

You aren't going to flat spot modern tires after only a few months.

 

[stevens]

Originally posted by: DougK62
What car and how long has it been sitting? Any modern car sitting for a few months is no problem - just start it up and go.

2000 Honda Accord

Its been sitting since mid September.

 

[scorpmatt]

my truck sat for 2 years on ramps in a garage, got the clutch fixed and it fired up eventually. a few months won't kill it.

 

[amdhunter]

I let my sh!tsubishi sit for a few months and except for the battery initially requiring 2 chargers to get the car started, I haven't had a single problem with it.

 

[drum]

I've had seals dry up after sitting too long, but it takes a while. next thing you know you're putting a quart of oil in every week.

 

[Kelemvor]

Could have them throw the battery on a charger while they change the oil. It's better to change the battery that way thatn to just let the car run and have the alternator do it.

 

[NiteWulf]

Won't the gas varnish up?

 

Originally posted by: FrankyJunior
Could have them throw the battery on a charger while they change the oil. It's better to change the battery that way thatn to just let the car run and have the alternator do it.

Actually, it doesn't really matter. Charging the battery is what the car's electrical system was designed to do.

 

[PCMarine]

I had my car sit for about 3 months while I was away at school. Before I left, I changed the oil and put some fuel stabilizer in the gas tank. When I came back, all I had to do was charge the battery and pump the tires and the car worked great.

 

[EatSpam]

Originally posted by: stevens

Originally posted by: DougK62
What car and how long has it been sitting? Any modern car sitting for a few months is no problem - just start it up and go.

2000 Honda Accord

Its been sitting since mid September.

Christ, son, its a Honda. That thing could sit until 3006 and still start up better than an American car. </fanboi>

 

[Minjin]

Originally posted by: jumpr

Originally posted by: FrankyJunior
Could have them throw the battery on a charger while they change the oil. It's better to change the battery that way thatn to just let the car run and have the alternator do it.

Actually, it doesn't really matter. Charging the battery is what the car's electrical system was designed to do.

Actually, it does matter. Topping off the battery is what the car's electrical system was designed to do, not fully charge the battery. The load will often kill an alternator that isn't fresh. Can it be done? Of course. Is it the best thing for your car? Definitely not.

Mark

 

[Nutdotnet]

A few months won't hurt anything.

I have a summer-only vehicle (2001 VW Jetta) that sits on average for 6 months out of the year. I start it up once a month, I throw some Gas Stabilizer in it if it has more then 1/8 of a tank and I over inflate the tires; although, like others said, I've never had a problem with "flat spots" and this is the third year of it sitting in the winter.

When I take it out of storage I change the oil, check the belts and hoses, fill up with GOOD gas and take it out. This year I'll also swap out the spark plugs.

 

[DaTT]

Actually putting a car up on blocks can do more harm than good for extended periods of time. You will have a hell of a time trying to get flat spots on radial tires. If the car is a manual and you plan on stroing it, I have read that keeping the clutch pedal depressed is also a good idea........all you have to do is hire a midget.

 

[Crucial]

Where can I get GOOD gas? Is it more expensive that REGULAR gas?

The thought of a jetta as a "summer only" car makes me laugh.

 

[DaTT]

Originally posted by: Crucial
Where can I get GOOD gas? Is it more expensive that REGULAR gas?

The thought of a jetta as a "summer only" car makes me laugh.

LOL.....

and here comes the debate about how higher octane gas is better than regular octane.....