Do you have a car that has been sitting in your garage or in front of your home for some time? Are you considering resuscitating a once thriving car that hasn’t seen action in years? Well, before you do you should know that it is not simply a matter of placing the key in the ignition and starting it again. Before starting a car that has been dormant for a long time, here are 5 important things you have to do first.
- Replace the fluids: Which fluids you drain and replace will depend on how long your car has been dormant. However, let’s start with the engine oil. A restart after an extended period of inactivity will require your car to have a complete oil change. Oil change service is vital since this is the lifeblood of any motor vehicle. Of course, it does not stop there. Next, drain any gas in the tank and carburetor float bowls. Finally, flush and replace the coolant from your car.
- Check the battery: Ideally, you removed the battery to your car before placing it in storage. If you did not then you need to replace the battery with a new one, install new cables and clean the posts.
- Pull your plugs and check the cylinders: Check the inside of your cylinders to make sure that they have not accumulated deposits, rust or anything that could damage the engine once you have it running again.
- Install a clean fuel filter: If your car has been in storage for a while it is probably time to replace its fuel filter. After all, it makes no sense to put new gas in your vehicle only to have it contaminated at some point as it runs through your system. A clean, new fuel filter will help you improve performance, fuel economy, etc.
- Inspect the carburetor – if you have one: In cars that have them, the carburetor is the beating heart of the engine. For the sake of your electrical system, make sure that you have an expert check it before you start back out on the road.
This may seem like a lot of work just to get a car running, and it is. However, if you want to breathe life into your old car then these steps are necessary at a minimum. We can help you with a synthetic oil change. We can also inspect your other fluids and your entire car to make sure that you can head back out on the road safely. 
