Starting a Car That Has Been Parked for a Year

Lmazyiar on 04/11/2021 - 13:43
Last edited 04/11/2021 - 13:45

Hi All,

I have had my car parked in storage for almost a year while I was overseas. I will be returning next week and am unsure what to expect with the car. I had thought I would only be away for a couple of months, and so had disconnected the battery before I left. However given that it has now been standing for close to 11 months, just wondering if there are any further considerations to plan for before I attempt to start it?

From some online research, I have found that potentially tires will be flat, battery will be dead, fuel will have rotted, and maybe oil will need to be changed? I had gotten the oil freshly changed before it was stored, and the battery was only a couple of months old at the time as well.

The car is a Mazda 3 with about 60k on it.

Just trying to plan in advance for what should be required when i get back - i.e rental car for a few days, take it to a mechanic to start etc? Don't want to try starting it and cause any damage that an be avoided.

Appreciate any advice anyone might have around this :)

Automotive

Comments

  • Cluster on 04/11/2021 - 13:52
    +9

    The tires may be flat spotted after standing in one position for a long time. You'll know immediately when you drive off.

    The battery will be flat. Bring a jump starter.

    The fuel should be fine. If you're worried, bring a container of 98 octane to top up the tank. A relative of mine hardly ever drives, and refuels once every six months or so with 91. No problem at all.

    I wouldn't change the oil. Engine oil ages due to wear and tear from moving parts, and oxidation from the combustion process. Unused engine oil has a shelf life measured in years.

    Idle the car for a couple of minutes before driving off.

    • ATTS on 06/11/2021 - 14:37

      Just curious, i thought most manual says even if you dont reach the KM interval there is a time interval that it needs to be changed. Ie 6 months?

      • Euphemistic on 07/11/2021 - 08:03

        They typically have a timeframe because of cars that are driven short distances frequently. Most cars are driven regularly, short drives where the engine doesn’t fully warm up are bad for oil and wear.

        It’s not really based on time, but the amount of driving. Ie lots of kms or lots of short drives.

        • ATTS on 07/11/2021 - 11:37

          oh i see,
          just wondering how much km in a trip. is considered a "short drive" and when you say wear from short drives is it wear to the engine?

          • Euphemistic on 07/11/2021 - 13:36

            @ATTS: Short drive are usually considered less than 15min. The engine needs enough time to fully heat up to get optimum protection from lubricants. While the engine is cold, the engine is thicker and not as effective.

  • Mokr on 04/11/2021 - 13:55

    use a fuel stablizer next time

    • mazyiar on 12/11/2021 - 14:24

      Good tip thanks

  • wiipantz on 04/11/2021 - 13:55
    -2

    Tyres could have flat spots and are shot most likley. Oil breaks down over time and could be cactus. Battery might be discharged and need a new one. Fuel is deff. not worth the risk. In saying all that it could fire up and be fine/ or not. It's your call if you risk getting to a mech or get a mobile one to check it for you, either way I would be getting it checked if it were me.
    More importantly you went overseas a year ago?!? That is interesting…

    • mazyiar on 12/11/2021 - 14:23

      What part of the going overseas is interesting? The going or the one year? :)

      • wiipantz on 12/11/2021 - 15:14

        The going and the timing

  • Archi on 04/11/2021 - 13:58
    +15

    first thing i would look out for is spiders…! scary little F'ers if you are not expecting them.

    • AdosHouse on 04/11/2021 - 14:19
      +4

      I had a car parked for over a year. Checked it out and there was a massive ants nest in the boot. Bloody crazy.

      • Archi on 04/11/2021 - 16:01
        +1

        just after i wrote that comment.

        the missus sent me a photo of a huntsman on the wall she found that completely took her by surprise.

        • AdosHouse on 04/11/2021 - 16:04

          I've had a few dinner plate size and bigger huntsmans in my house over the years. Don't know how I haven't burnt the place down yet trying to kill them.

      • PinzVidz on 06/11/2021 - 21:40

        Were they actual crazy ants?

        • AdosHouse on 06/11/2021 - 22:31
          +1

          Not just crazy, bloody crazy. As in crazy eyes and covered in blood. Thousands of them…..staring at you when you open the boot. Fun times.

    • mazyiar on 12/11/2021 - 14:25

      I was legit concerned about this. Still a bit suspicious but so far nothing has jumped out at me. Has been so crazy since back that haven't had a chance to even check properly.

      With my luck one will jump out while I am overtaking on the M4

      • Archi on 12/11/2021 - 17:08

        spray the carpets, the wheel guards, engine bay and floor of the boot with bug spray
        leave over night with the windows and doors closed.

        see
        what you find in the morning.

  • mskeggs on 04/11/2021 - 14:20
    +11

    It will probably start and drive fine.
    A lot of stuff on the internet is what could happen.
    I would bring jumper cables/starter if you have one, but even then, a pretty new car battery should retain charge disconnected for 12 months.

    Post back here afterwards and tell us how it went.

  • saintpotter on 04/11/2021 - 14:57
    +5

    just start it

  • Presence on 04/11/2021 - 15:19
    +1

    If you read half the shit on the internet you'd be replacing all the rubbers and every fluid.

    Jump start it and go straight to a servo, fill it up with fuel and check the tyres. It's gonna be fine.

    Wouldn't hurt to check all fluids are at the right level, but nothing to panic about.

  • oscargamer on 04/11/2021 - 15:24
    +1

    Don't start it.
    Drain fuel and replace fuel.
    Then start.

  • coxjon on 04/11/2021 - 15:49
    +3

    My 1988 RX7 started after a year in storage. Just needed a jump. It did projectile vom fuel all over my friend's driveway though. Still not sure what that's about…

  • onetrickpony on 04/11/2021 - 15:51
    +7

    Could be some surface rust formed on the disc rotors. Driving slowly, apply light pressure on the brakes for 10-15 secs and see how they feel. It usually comes off with a little light braking, but occasionally they can grab and skid the first couple of times you brake, so best to check before going for a proper drive.

  • Euphemistic on 04/11/2021 - 16:15
    +1

    Does in storage mean under cover?

    I’d just jump start, top up with fresh fuel straight away, check tyre pressure and get an oil change/service as soon as practical. If the tank is already full it might be worth draining it.

    It’s a relatively new car. Won’t be much to go wrong with it.

  • [Deactivated] on 04/11/2021 - 16:15
    +2

    Get under the car and look for evidence of mouse or rat visits (ie POOP).

    If you see any, take the car to a mechanic and get it inspected for damage

  • outlander on 04/11/2021 - 16:30
    +1

    What sort of fuel do you use? If pure it might be alright. If its e10 you would be better to drain it, as the ethanol causes all sorts of problems when its left to sit for that long.

  • dirtybigbjelke on 04/11/2021 - 16:52
    +3

    Get a jump pack or have some-one with a car and jump leads with you. The fact you disconnected the battery may mean you do not need the jump but better safe than sorry. Head directly to a Servo to pump up tyres and then car wash to wash off all the dust your car will be very dusty!. You may have tyre flat spots but they should work themselves out after a while of driving

    • oscargamer on 04/11/2021 - 17:13
      +3

      Do NOT drive on the tyres without checking their pressure first. You can and will kill the sidewalls if you drive for any distance with very low pressures.

  • mazyiar on 12/11/2021 - 14:20
    +2

    Hi All - I am happy to report I finally got back to the car yesterday and was able to start it.

    The storage area fared well- there was minimal dust on the outside of the car, and the inside was just as I had left it.

    I connected the battery cable back, and the electronics came back on. I checked the fuel gauge and it was at about 1/4, so topped up with fresh fuel before starting it. Then just cranked it and it started on the first try! The tyres were a little deflated, though nothing extreme - was able to go to a servo and fill them up quite easily. Will book it in for a service/oil change as soon as possible, however it has been running completely fine.

    Thank you all for your responses - much appreciated!

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