Cars left idle for a long time require care
By Doug McAllister
Recently we have had a few cars come into the shop that have sat outside unused for six months and more. It's amazing how bad it is for a car to sit outside unused for that length of time.
Sitting idle is hard on everything and it takes quite a bit of work to get the car usable, in addition to the problem that caused the vehicle to get put out to pasture in the first place.
Typically, the brakes get rusted to the point where the rotors and pads have to be replaced, and brake caliper slides must be cleaned and lubed. Sometimes it even requires new brake lines to be installed.
Minimally, the oil should get changed and possibly the belts and hoses. If the battery was not stored inside over the winter, there is a good possibility that it may have frozen.
Many people ask what to do with the summer car they store in the garage over the winter. Keeping the car inside is certainly a better option for storing your favorite summer ride but there are still some things you may want to consider.
If you park next to it with another car, be aware of the snow and slop that you drag in to the garage, which creates damp concrete underneath your prize car (not a good thing).
Change the oil before you park it away and trickle charge the battery a couple times over the winter. I would not start the car unless you are going to be able to drive it and get it up to operating temperature; it gains you nothing to start the car and then shut it off right away - and, in fact, could be harmful.
Keep the tires fully inflated during its time in storage. The fuel will lose octane over the winter so store a car with premium fuel and keep it on the low side. Then, when you pull the car out in the spring, you can top off the tank with new premium and you will be good to go. If you store it for more than 30 days, you may want to put some stabilizer in the gas. Make sure you use the stuff that is designed for use with the ethanol that is in our fuel.
If you follow these simple steps, you should be able to pull your car out and have a happy spring!
• Douglas Automotive is at 417 W. Main St., Barrington; 123 Virginia Road, Crystal Lake; and 416 Northwest Hwy., Fox River Grove. For information, visit douglasautomotive.com. Send questions to underthehood@dailyherald.com.