What to Do When Your Car Won't Start After Being Parked for a Long Time?
2 Answers
If your car won't start after being parked for an extended period and there is fuel in the tank, the issue is likely a dead battery. Here are the solutions: 1. In an emergency, you can use a portable charger. Connect the charger to the positive and negative terminals of the battery, set the charging parameters, start charging, and then attempt to start the car. 2. If you have jumper cables, you can ask for help from a passing car. Find a functioning car to assist, connect the positive terminal of the assisting car's battery to the positive terminal of your car's battery, then connect the negative terminals of both batteries, and attempt to start your car.
I've encountered the issue of a car not starting after being parked for a long time several times. The most common reason is a dead battery, as electronic devices like the anti-theft system still drain power quietly, which can deplete the battery in as little as two weeks. First, check if any lights on the dashboard are on; if there are no lights, it's usually a battery issue. You can ask a friend to jump-start the car with jumper cables or use a portable power bank as an emergency solution. If the car is a manual transmission, push-starting can also work. Additionally, there might be an issue with the fuel system—fuel can degrade and form deposits, leading to clogged fuel lines. Try adding some fuel system cleaner. Long periods of inactivity can also cause engine oil to settle and spark plugs to get damp, preventing ignition. It's advisable to start the car at least once a week, letting it idle for about 10 minutes to warm up, or disconnect the battery's negative terminal. Don’t force it; after starting, drive to a repair shop for a thorough check. Prevention is better than a last-minute fix—develop good habits to avoid trouble.