It’s a 1997 Cavalier coupe. My dad says he’s let the engine run every month or few months and has regularly recharged the battery. But the car has not left the driveway for at least a year. What should be done to get the car back into good driving condition? He insists that it’s a good car and needs…

I’d just drive it. Follow the PM outlined in the owners manual, account for time as well as mileage. If you are having brake work done, have the brake fluid changed/flushed. I would do that with any brake work anyway. Fill up the gas tank.

I’d put in some fresh gas and drive it. The old gas is probably ok if it was treated. Smell it, it should smell like gas normally smells. Probably time for an oil change soon unless it was changed just before parking it. Make sure rust didn’t build up on the brake rotors.

Yeah, just drive it. When you’re low on gas, fill up. Nothing else need be done until then. I’ve restarted cars that sat idle for two years, no prior precautions taken. And none afterwards. Your dad has done right by his methods. For subsequent servicing, check with Pop.

Start it up and drive it gently at first and give the brakes a couple of test stops on roads without any traffic before you get out on the open road. Next fill the gas tank up with fresh gas, get the oil changed, and consider changing out most of the fluids (coolant, brake, transmission, etc.) in t…

I would guess that about 80% of the time, you can just drive it. I would fill the tank to dilute the old stuff. Good Luck

Car been sitting for about a year

Maintenance/Repairs

bing October 15, 2011, 7:44pm 7

Gee, mine was sitting in the garage for a year and a half. I just took it out Friday, no problem. I keep the tank full though to reduce condensation and keep the battery charged and tires up. When I run it though, I run it through the gears to circulate trans fluid.

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Car been sitting for about a year

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