car has sat for over a year and a half.

[hyperscion]

Howdy, my 2009 scion xd with 45,000 mi, sat for over a year, dead battery... I would jump start it every few weeks and let it idol for 15 to 45 min. and 3 or 4 times I would hope in and drive it around the block.
the gas was treated with neutra by schaeffer back in 2015. most of the old gas is gone. put new battery in last week put in 5 gal fresh gas with a little neutra. changing oil soon...
starts and runs fine...BUT... is there anything I should be watching for or changing fluids. I drive another vehicle, but want the little gas saver to last a long time..thanks

 

[Audios]

Might be a good time to think about changing brake fluid, coolant, and maybe doing fuel and air filters as well. Plugs couldn't hurt as well, although it is a little premature, even if they are 8 years old.

 

[Jimzz]

Fill the tank up, change the oil, check the tires/pressure, and check all the other fluids for level/leaks. Then take it for a long highway drive.

Cars are not as picky as they once were.

 

[eljefino]

Look for squirrel nests in the air filter.

You already scraped your brakes clean, but I'd make sure all four corners are shiny.

 

[Thax]

Best would be to change all serviceable fluids and filters.

 

[Alex_V]

X2 on the long highway run after making sure everything is in good repair.

 

[redhat]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
Look for squirrel nests in the air filter.

You already scraped your brakes clean, but I'd make sure all four corners are shiny.


I'll add to this... check out your under hood wiring. I saw a 2010-era Silverado sit for a weekend and had the engine harness chewed by morning.

Double check all of your lights, make sure your cabin air isn't full of debris.

 

[Kuato]

Originally Posted By: Jimzz
Fill the tank up, change the oil, check the tires/pressure, and check all the other fluids for level/leaks. Then take it for a long highway drive.

Cars are not as picky as they once were.


This.

 

[hyperscion]

the tires were new in 2015, could they be dangerous if they sat for weeks at a time only going around the block? 4 mile? they might sit for a month or longer before i would drive around the block. small town block.

 

[gilbertsta]

Without regular engine starts the oil and fuel just sit leaving pockets of dry spots around gasket areas. Just keep an eye out for fuel and oil leaks. Other than that it sounds like you are doing the right thing with your gas sipper.

 

[Nick1994]

Originally Posted By: hyperscion
the tires were new in 2015, could they be dangerous if they sat for weeks at a time only going around the block? 4 mile? they might sit for a month or longer before i would drive around the block. small town block.
They should be fine. Top off the pressures and get it out on the highway to work out any flat spots.

 

[hyperscion]

I appreciate the info guys....so far so good,, I have redline 5w-20 in the motor everything else is factory fill. will replace the other fluids as a preventive maintenance. and drain the redline oil low milage but a year and a half old...

 

[69GTX]

Stop doing the 15-45 minute idles as they accomplish nothing but considerable wear and tear. And when you do decide to take it for a spin a few times per year, make it 10-15 miles, not around the block. I know some people that will go 6 months between starts. But once running, they take it out for a nice highway run. Short runs and long idles are the worst thing you can do for a car that basically sits. And if done in cold weather, that's about the most severe service you can put your car through.

 

[Brybo86]

You drive another car and only own this one so you you can idle it everyone once in awhile?

SELL IT!

It is not a collectors car.

 

[KrisZ]

Most of the rituals around cars have little to do with prolonging their lives, some may actually do more harm than good, but as long as owners OCD is satisfied, everything is dandy.

 

[Alex_V]

Originally Posted By: Nick1994
Originally Posted By: hyperscion
the tires were new in 2015, could they be dangerous if they sat for weeks at a time only going around the block? 4 mile? they might sit for a month or longer before i would drive around the block. small town block.
They should be fine. Top off the pressures and get it out on the highway to work out any flat spots.


Yup, as long as any really heavy "woopidy woopidy" vibrations or wobbles substantially decrease or stop completely after a few dozen miles, they should be fine.

 

[69GTX]

If you want it to last and last, then drive it 4-12X per year at 15-20 miles each....that's 60-240 miles per year. Keep the fluids fresh, the rubbers lubricated, paint waxed, etc.