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It seems a lot of the questions regarding car storage are for prior to storage. I did not think ahead much and thus my question is for what to do after storage.

Context: Car stored in non air conditioned but enclosed self storage unit in the Northeast US for around 2.5 months. No fuel stabilizer was added but tank was full. Engine oil is not new but still has ~30% life according to the dash.

Do I have to worry about lubricating cylinders (I'm most concerned about doing long term engine damage)? Or should I just start it and let it idle before accelerating. Aside from an oil change what other important things should be done?

user1950278
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5 Answers5

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Start it and be done with it. 2.5 months sitting isn't really a big deal. You may need to charge the battery, but probably not. Just run it at idle until it warms up, check for leaks, drive it to the gas station and fill it up with fresh gas. You really shouldn't have any issues with it which weren't there before you parked it. 2.5 months is a trivial amount of time.

Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2
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I agree with @Paulster2, save his advice to idle the motor until it warms up. Instead, minimize the time the engine is running but not yet warmed up (when the most engine wear occurs) by starting the engine and driving the vehicle. Still, don't abuse the machinery with heavy throttle application or high revs until the oil has warmed.

DavidRecallsMonica
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Personally I would remove the spark plugs (assuming it is a petrol engine) and spin it over on the starter for 30 seconds or so to allow it to pick up oil and pump it around.

If it is diesel, then that is more difficult, and the same if the sparkplugs are difficult to get to, in those cases, just start it and let it idle until you hear it quiet down - all the valve train will become less noisy as the oil gets round.

The battery is fully charged I hope...

Solar Mike
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In addition to the other answers: take it easy when driving away, there will probably be flat spots on the tires. Those should go away after a few km though.

Hobbes
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Has anyone else heard about this starting procedure? Make sure the battery is fully charged, get in and depress the accelerator completly to the floor and turn the motor over for just a few seconds. Turn igniton to the off position then repeat the procedure a few more times. I seem to recall this from somewhere a long time ago. With the accelerator fully depressed the car will/should not start, but by repeatedly turning/cranking the motor this way can prevent a "dry" start by actuating the oil pump and moving the oil around before acyually starting the motor and allowing it to idle for a while. As an aside, I've also heard that operating the AC for a little while helps to keep the O-rings lubricated.Cheers, Graham.

Graham
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