What to Do If the Car Won't Start After Being Parked for a Long Time?
2 Answers
The methods to start a car that has been parked for a long time and won't start are: 1. Manual Push-Start Method: Engage first gear and slowly release the clutch to use the wheel's rotation to drive the engine flywheel; 2. Jumper Cable Method: Connect the cables to both the dead vehicle and the rescue vehicle; 3. Tow-Start Method: Use a properly sized tow rope to securely connect the dead vehicle and the rescue vehicle. Car battery maintenance methods include: 1. Avoid parking the car in open parking lots for extended periods to prevent battery freezing and damage; 2. Since car engines are harder to start in winter, each attempt should not exceed 5 seconds, with a minimum interval of 15 seconds between attempts.
My old car often wouldn't start after sitting for a long time, mainly due to a dead battery. When a car isn't driven for extended periods, the battery slowly discharges, especially in winter when issues are more common. I'd first check if the interior lights turn on—if they don't, it's usually a dead battery, requiring a jump-start from a friend's car or a portable power source. Another frequent issue is degraded fuel, particularly in gasoline cars, where moisture in the fuel can corrode the ignition system. In such cases, adding fresh fuel or using a fuel stabilizer helps. If these steps don’t work, the problem might be damp spark plugs or engine carbon buildup, and it's best to call a professional mechanic. For prevention, I recommend starting the car every two weeks and driving for about 10 minutes to recharge the battery, or simply disconnecting the negative battery terminal to avoid trouble. Long-term parking shortens battery life, so proactive maintenance can extend engine longevity.
