What are the precautions when starting a car that has been parked for a year?
2 Answers
Precautions when starting a car that has been parked for a year include checking whether the battery has power, the oil level of the lubricant, the gasoline level, the tire pressure, checking for branches and debris under the hood, the severity of engine sludge, the coolant level, and the windshield washer fluid level. Preparation for long-term parking: Try to keep the remaining fuel at more than half; choose a flat ground for parking, and straighten the steering wheel; turn off all electrical appliances that can be used, unplug electrical appliances connected to the cigarette lighter and AC socket; remove flammable, explosive, and perishable items, and tightly close the doors, windows, sunroof, hood, and trunk lid; Precautions: If the battery has experienced excessive discharge, the hood can be popped up, but if the mechanical door lock of the door cannot function normally, to prevent the electronic central door lock and mechanical door lock from failing simultaneously, the electric door lock may not operate when the battery is low.
I've helped friends deal with cars that have been sitting idle for a long time. The most common issue when starting them is a dead battery—it needs to be charged with a charger or checked for corroded terminals. Next, check if the engine oil has oxidized or degraded; take a moment to inspect the dipstick and smell it. If there’s an unusual odor, replace it with fresh oil. The tire pressure might have dropped completely—before inflating, check for cracks or bulges to avoid driving hazards. When starting the engine, don’t rush to ignite it. I usually let the starter crank for a few seconds to lubricate the system and prevent dry friction damage. Also, clean the interior to deter rodents from chewing wires or leaving odors. After starting, let the engine warm up for a few minutes while stationary, then test the brakes and steering for responsiveness. A car left unused for a year can have many issues—the more thorough the inspection, the safer it is.
