What is the reason why a car won't start after not being driven for too long?
2 Answers
If a car hasn't been driven for too long and won't start, it's usually because the car's battery is dead. Simply jump-starting the car can solve the problem. When jump-starting, connect the positive terminal to the positive terminal and the negative terminal to the negative terminal. Once the engine starts, the alternator begins to operate and can charge the battery. The battery is an important component of a car, as there are many electrical devices in the vehicle. When the engine is not running, the battery supplies power to these electrical devices. The car battery is an indispensable part of the vehicle and can be divided into traditional lead-acid batteries and maintenance-free batteries. The structure of a car lead-acid battery mainly consists of positive (negative) plates, separators, electrolyte, case, connecting straps, and terminals.
I've been in auto repair for over a decade, and when it comes to cars that won't start after sitting idle for long periods, 99% of the time it's due to a dead battery. Batteries naturally self-discharge – leave one unused for over a month and it'll be completely drained. This is especially true with modern vehicles packed with electronics like anti-theft systems and central locking that constantly draw power. Other culprits include dried-up, sludgy oil causing engine stiffness, evaporated and degraded gasoline contaminated with impurities that interfere with ignition, and winter's low temperatures making everything worse. My advice? First try jump-starting the car using jumper cables connected to another vehicle. If that fails, check whether the starter motor is faulty, if wiring has corroded, or if the gasoline has turned dark and smelly. To prevent issues, run the engine for about ten minutes every two weeks to recharge the battery – it's the best insurance for your car's heart. Remember, cars aren't decorations; they need regular exercise, or you'll be footing some hefty repair bills.
