Car hasn't ran in 2 years

[Wetworth]

My car hasn't been run in 2 years. Since I have a child on the way I plan to replace my wife's S10 with the Contour. Any suggestions what I should do before I try to start the engine?

[andreslobo]

Other than charging/ replacing the battery, checking fluid levels should be all that you need to do. If the car starts and continues to run, thank your lucky stars. Before driving it make certain that your brakes work, start out slow and if they work AND don't bind up, consider yourself very lucky.

After you have the car running to your satisfaction, you might want to change engine oil, oil filter, gas filter, and at least brake fluid (brake fluid should be changed every few years, but no one does it, however after sitting 2 years even I'd do it). Check the antifreeze to see if it will handle your locale.

[Wetworth]

Any tactics I can use in the (likely) event it won't start on it's own?

[Matt R]

Any tactics I can use in the (likely) event it won't start on it's own?

Assume you'll need a jump start, although the battery could be totally bad. I'm guessing your problems are going to lie more with settling issues... tires, suspension, brakes, etc. Another issue could be old fuel/water in the gas. It might be a good idea to add a can of dry gas and a few gallons of fresh gas to avoid any problems.

[Wetworth]

I'm taking jumper cables. I hope the battery is still good, it was replaced not long before it was parked. The tires need replaced as is, hopefully they'll hold some air long enough for me to diagnose the transmission issue that parked the car in the first place. I've been doing some reading and I believe that there's nothing mechanically wrong, just a bad sensor.

[Wetworth]

Dry gas sounds like an excellent idea. I assume the brake lines and tires will need replaced so the car is probably going on a trailer to be brought home, though, like I said, it would be nice to drive it a short distance.

[andreslobo]

If you did not disconnect the battery it is shot, the clock draws current constantly. Even if you disconnected the battery it is probably shot. If it isn't, quickly get yourself to the lottery and buy a ticket.

Adding some gas dry and a few gallons of gas is not a bad idea.

But do it cheap, take the battery cables as you will surely need them. If the cars starts and runs okay, then buy a battery.

Best of luck

[amc49]

Yep, I am constantly amazed at the number of people who think you can let a modern car sit forever without disconnecting battery cables. They can't believe that it will run down. Not only clock but keep alive memory and radio use slight amount of power at all times.

Right up there with the number of people who check alternator by disconnecting battery while running. Plain goofy.

[zorrex]

I'd drop in a bottle of octane booster as well to help the gas. Either that or put in a couple gallons of premium to give it some slight help. Might want to inspect the spark plugs. They could be corroded from sitting for so long not running.

[cetroutt]

inspect everything under the hood to make sure that there aren't any critters that have set up camp or used your wiring harness as a snack. check your airbox for nests.