What Causes a Long-Term Parked Car to Fail to Start?
3 Answers
It's normal for a car that has been parked for a long time to fail to start, usually because the battery is dead. You can jump-start the engine by using another car with a charged battery. Other possible reasons for failing to start: Insufficient battery power, excessive carbon buildup in the idle motor, intake tract, intake valves, and combustion chamber; or issues with the fuel injectors, such as leaks or excessive carbon deposits, causing the air-fuel mixture to be too lean during startup, leading to the engine not starting. Hazards of long-term parking: A car parked for too long not only may fail to start but can also suffer damage to the exterior paint. Long-term outdoor parking exposes the vehicle to wind, rain, sunlight, and lack of maintenance, leading to corrosion, oxidation, peeling paint, and even rust on exposed metal parts.
A few days ago, I left my car in the garage untouched for two months, and it just wouldn't start. When the mechanic came to check, he found the battery was completely dead—it's just like a phone battery, losing charge slowly even when not in use. He also mentioned the gasoline might have gone bad; fuel left in the tank for too long can become sticky and clog the fuel injectors. Additionally, the ignition coils were damp. Our garage is particularly cold and humid, causing condensation on metal parts, so the spark plugs couldn't produce any sparks. Lastly, there was a tire pressure issue—the tires were half-flat, but luckily we caught it early before they deformed. The mechanic suggested disconnecting the battery cables before long-term parking, filling up the gas tank, and adding some fuel stabilizer.
My neighbor came back from a six-month business trip and found his car wouldn't start. Actually, there are three major concerns with long-term parking. The battery must be checked first, as most starting failures are due to dead batteries. Gasoline in the tank tends to stratify and degrade after three months, leading to poor atomization during injection. Additionally, engine oil settles completely, leaving parts unlubricated at startup with significantly increased resistance. Last time, I helped him jump-start the car, and it took half an hour of driving before it ran normally. This shows proper preparation before parking is essential—like changing the oil, fully charging the battery, and choosing a dry indoor parking spot.
