Can a car start after being parked for 3 months?
2 Answers
In this situation, the car generally cannot start and requires a jump-start. Below is relevant information: 1. Battery: A car battery, also known as a storage battery, works by converting chemical energy into electrical energy. The commonly referred-to car battery is a lead-acid battery, which mainly uses lead and its oxides as electrodes and sulfuric acid solution as the electrolyte. 2. Jump-start: Jump-starting (English: jump-start; also called boost) or cross-starting is a method of connecting another vehicle's battery or an external power source to a vehicle with a depleted starting battery to start the vehicle. After the vehicle starts, its normal charging system can recharge the battery, allowing the auxiliary power source to be removed. As long as the vehicle's charging system is functioning properly, the normally operating vehicle will restore the battery's charge.
To be honest, I once had a car that sat unused for over three months, and it actually started—but it took a lot of effort. The main issue was the battery; it loses charge quickly when unused for long periods, especially if left outdoors in winter. A lead-acid battery might retain only half its charge. I also noticed the engine oil had thickened and congealed, making the engine struggle and groan during startup. When the tire pressure was low, the car wobbled a bit after starting. My advice is to fully charge or disconnect the battery before long-term parking and periodically start the engine for about ten minutes to circulate fluids. In humid conditions, the chassis might rust, so checking the electrical and fuel systems is crucial. Safety comes first—don’t force-start the car and risk damaging parts. Instead, get a jump-start or call a mechanic for help.
