# Lexus RX300 hasn't been driven in a few years **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [August 17, 2012, 12:34am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lexus-rx300-hasnt-been-driven-in-a-few-years/74124 "2012-08-17T00:34:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![94901car](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/9/ce73a5/32.png) [@94901car](https://community.cartalk.com/u/94901car)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2012, 12:34am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lexus-rx300-hasnt-been-driven-in-a-few-years/74124/1 "2012-08-17T00:34:46Z")
My husband’s 10 year old Lexus RX300 has been parked in our garage for about 4 years. He’s recovered from a medical issue now, and wants to get his car running again. The garage never gets very hot or very cold, so the car hasn’t been exposed to extreme temperatures - probably in the 40 - 75 range. I’m assuming that we can’t just put in a battery and start the engine. Any suggestions on what steps we should take? ---
**Author:** ![raj](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c0e974/32.png) [@raj](https://community.cartalk.com/u/raj)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2012, 12:48am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lexus-rx300-hasnt-been-driven-in-a-few-years/74124/2 "2012-08-17T00:48:06Z")
The fuel is bad likely. Don’t start it. Make sure it is towed to a garage and the fuel will have to get drained out. Hopefully started. You need new tires likely beyond the obvious battery. Lastly fluids should likely be addressed also. ---
**Author:** ![Big\_Marc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9d8465/32.png) [@Big\_Marc](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Big_Marc)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2012, 12:56am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lexus-rx300-hasnt-been-driven-in-a-few-years/74124/3 "2012-08-17T00:56:08Z")
the gas should be deained and fresh fuel put in the tank ,by the way i mean drain the tank ok then i would get out the owners book and see what it has to say about storing the Lexus. make sure all the fluids our topped of. my mane worry is a dry start, has the car been started at all while its been parked? . back to the dry start thing does anybody knoe=w of a way to pre lube the engine before trying to start it ? I would have all the fluids replaced once its up and running and also change all tthe filters also. i hope everthing works out ok and b4 i forget look real good for any signs of rodants to be on the safe side. ---
**Author:** ![CCarr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ba8739/32.png) [@CCarr](https://community.cartalk.com/u/CCarr)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2012, 1:17am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lexus-rx300-hasnt-been-driven-in-a-few-years/74124/4 "2012-08-17T01:17:46Z")
I want to agree _twice_ with raj on his statement. Can I do that? ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2012, 1:33am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lexus-rx300-hasnt-been-driven-in-a-few-years/74124/5 "2012-08-17T01:33:08Z")
And you don’t need the dealer to do any of this, find a good independent shop that is willing to deal with draining the gas, you’ll likely save $$. ---
**Author:** ![94901car](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/9/ce73a5/32.png) [@94901car](https://community.cartalk.com/u/94901car)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2012, 4:37am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lexus-rx300-hasnt-been-driven-in-a-few-years/74124/6 "2012-08-17T04:37:50Z")
Thanks everyone. I use the garage for storage, so I’ve kept an eye out for rodents all these years and there aren’t any. Okay, tow, drain and replace all fluids, new tires. I hadn’t considered the dry start, that’s a very good point. I’ll check around with friends for a good mechanic. What about rubber things - hoses and spark plug wires and such. Should we have all of that replaced? ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2012, 6:08am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lexus-rx300-hasnt-been-driven-in-a-few-years/74124/7 "2012-08-17T06:08:13Z")
I wouldn’t do the hoses/wires right now. Those can wait (as long as there’s no obvious problem). ---
**Author:** ![edb1961](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/edb1961/32/122_2.png) [@edb1961](https://community.cartalk.com/u/edb1961)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2012, 6:58am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lexus-rx300-hasnt-been-driven-in-a-few-years/74124/8 "2012-08-17T06:58:29Z")
If it has the original timing belt, I would get that changed also. Ed B. ---
**Author:** ![Barkydog](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/barkydog/32/2470_2.png) [@Barkydog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Barkydog)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2012, 7:48am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lexus-rx300-hasnt-been-driven-in-a-few-years/74124/9 "2012-08-17T07:48:51Z")
If it was me being the obstinate being I am, I would do a treatment of seafoam, starting fluid if needed and keep trying till it got up and ran. Sure it is not the LOGICAL answer, but I would do it anyway. Waiting to get shot down. A new battery might be in order but I would not be afraid to jump it, once it is running, you can further assess needed parts.