How Long Can a Car Sit Without Being Driven?

Planning on storing your car or not driving for a while? Check out our essential guide on how to keep your car maintained and why you should prep your car for a period of inactivity. #CarBuying #SellingaCar #storingacar

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:34 How long can a car sit?
04:07 Tips for storing a car safely
06:41 What to do if your car doesn’t start after storage

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[billsmith]

If the car has sat several months or years, pull the fuse or relay for the fuel pump . Get oil pressure up while cranking before attempting to start . If outside, cover the tires from the sun . This is routine on RV's .

[dr.anhthai]

Thanks for the info; but, what happens to all the cars park in the packing lot at the dealership. Isn't the sale person starts theirs cars every month?

[josequintero]

Excellent video bro! Just what I needed for my 93 Honda accord sitting for 3 months.

[kevinhaley]

5 months ago this deserves atleast 1 comment good tips!

[GH-oijf]

Sounds gloomy, but I park my pickup for a few months at a time in a storage locker in a temperate climate without problems so far, except for needing a jump a couple of times. I’ve solved that problem with two things you didn’t mention. I replaced the battery with a High Reserve Capacity model, and I enable transport mode when I’m going to leave it for awhile. The latter is not in the owner’s manual, but it wasn’t hard to find out how to do it. That turns off most of the things that drain the battery.

[klacustoms]

A good tip is to start the car by turning it over for only a second and then turn it off again. Wait a few minutes, then start the car up and then let it idle. This gets the oil circulated and lubricated throughout the engine when you turn it on and off for a second. Helps prevent metal to metal contact and adds a layer of oil lubricant between metal to metal parts inside the engine. If you immediately just start the car up that hasn't been driven for a while and let it idle, you risk damaging the motor because the oil may have not fully circulated throughout the engine since its been a while and may shorten the life of the motor due to lack of oil lubrication throughout the engine upon cold startup.

[greytimberwolf]

i found a dream car, and it has been sitting for years. inspection sticker say 2018. This is where I know if it is better to just walk away or just fit what i can do then let the local mechanic do his thing. new hoses, all fluids, the brakes.

[frankieatworld]

Thank you for video. I have a Jeep Renegade Night Eagle 2018. At 2021 I went to USA for 5 weeks. After return at airport The Netherlands Europe, The Jeep unlocked by its keyless entry, but would not start right away, was very slow turning. I openened the hood, more pray to the car gods, stepped in again, turned LIGHT switch to 0 and pushed the start button again with left food on break and adding right food with gas. And it started, pffff. Now I know 5 weeks is a long time for cars that do stuff during absent.

[arinercessian]

I went to start up our riding mower that sat for like 6-8 months. I turned the key it shot black smoked and died I did it again and it shot black smoke but it did start. The fuel smelled foul. However, it went!

[soundboydesign]

Right on time...gas goes up...cars gonna start sitting...keep turning that wrench everyone...one love

[DoubtingThomas]

Drive the vehicle once a week at a minimum, get it up to operating temp. 30 minutes is usually good enough, (battery needs to recover from starting the vehicle too) an hour is even better, doesn't even have to be at high speed.

I use a solar panel that's suited to the size of the car battery I have (auto parts stores have many options), connect it directly to the positive battery terminal and then a good ground (usually strut tower bolts/nuts). It's left on permanently, unless I drive the vehicle. Works like a charm.

I'd say engine oil only needs replaced every year or 10k miles, as long as the vehicle is being driven from time to time. Definitely 6 months at a time if the vehicle is mostly just sitting, but that would be bad news to me.

[EJR]

Hey man! I have a 2009 Audi A4 that has been sitting and not been started since April 2023. Apart from the battery, what should I expect to discover (potential oil leaks from dried seals?) I had a motor overhaul in April 2021 most parts including the cylinder head were replaced so the seals only have a couple thousand miles on them. Therefore what should I inspect and do before I attempt to crank it up? Also how can I go about priming the motor, bearings and what not?
I left it with a full tank of gas, added some Stabil Fuel Stabilizer in April 2023.

[pfwlhtx]

I’m considering buying a new 2022 travel vehicle. It has been with the dealership the whole time in Northern Washington state. Concerned about tire quality (flat spots) and fluids. Is this a good purchase or should I ask for fluids and tires to be replaced?

[jp]

is backing the new car out of the garage and letting it idle for 15 minutes hurt it or be ok? i am using a battery charger to.

[NicholasJonesCPA]

I have a 22 ford ranger. I’m going to be overseas about 3-6 weeks at a time. What should I do?

[donisi]

Great info. I am going to store my 94' Bronco for 10 to 15 years.Any extra advice? Thanks a bunch

[williamfang]

i want to know whether my car gets lonely. can you make a video about that?

[liuwang]

driven at least every two weeks, otherwise driven once a week is best

[Markbabb]

My car sits for 5 weeks while I’m on the road driving trucks she been doing good for years now

[mehmbfd]

Came here because the engine gives a whining sound when idle after startup, car been sitting for at least 4 years, occasionally being started up and running, anyone know a possible cause for the whine?