# Sitting for Two Years

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/sitting-for-two-years/25>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [May 15, 2007, 10:39am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/sitting-for-two-years/25 "2007-05-15T10:39:29Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![cartalklackey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea666f/32.png) [@cartalklackey](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cartalklackey)\
**Post date:** [May 15, 2007, 10:39am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/sitting-for-two-years/25/1 "2007-05-15T10:39:29Z")

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I’ll soon be acquiring a 97 altima (145k miles) that has been sitting for two years. Aside from the oil change what should I do as far as maintenance.  
  
  
  
  
  
 This post has been moved to the new Car Talk Discussion Area, by a Car Talk Lackey. The original poster is Jonbonjamie.

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**Author:** ![Caddyman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/caddyman/32/23_2.png) [@Caddyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caddyman)\
**Post date:** [May 15, 2007, 8:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/sitting-for-two-years/25/2 "2007-05-15T20:53:43Z")

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Check the tires and ALL the fluids. It will need a new battery. Todays gasoline is NOT a stable product. I would siphon some out of the tank and look at it in a small glass container. It should be almost water-clear with a SLIGHT green or pink tint. If it has a deeper color and a nasty smell (like old paint thinner) siphon it all out and replace it BEFORE you attempt to start the car.

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**Author:** ![mcparadise](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mcparadise/32/32_2.png) [@mcparadise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mcparadise)\
**Post date:** [May 16, 2007, 12:15am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/sitting-for-two-years/25/3 "2007-05-16T00:15:54Z")

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I don’t think I’d even chance using the gasoline. Replace it before you try to start the engine. I’d also suggest removing the spark plugs and squirting a small amount of oil into each cylinder, then turning the engine over a few times before reinserting the spark plugs, just to lube the rings a bit. They’ve been sitting stationary for two years and a dry start could cause quite a bit of wear before the oil circulates fully.

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**Author:** ![JayP71](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ac91a4/32.png) [@JayP71](https://community.cartalk.com/u/JayP71)\
**Post date:** [May 30, 2007, 2:20am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/sitting-for-two-years/25/4 "2007-05-30T02:20:09Z")

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Also check all belts, hoses, and engine seals. Depending on environment the rubber could be cracked. Also take a look at the CV boots to make sure they are not cracked.

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**Author:** ![andrew\_j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/91b2a8/32.png) [@andrew\_j](https://community.cartalk.com/u/andrew_j)\
**Post date:** [November 13, 2007, 3:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/sitting-for-two-years/25/5 "2007-11-13T15:03:54Z")

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Have your tires checked for age or you verify it( [http://www.carbibles.com/tyre\_bible.html](http://www.carbibles.com/tyre_bible.html) )

Dependant where you live tires have a life in years besides wear(6 years - 10 years). You or a trusty garage have them checked.

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**Author:** ![Caddyman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/caddyman/32/23_2.png) [@Caddyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caddyman)\
**Post date:** [November 13, 2007, 4:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/sitting-for-two-years/25/6 "2007-11-13T16:29:54Z")

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The original post is 8 months old…It must have been lost in the Car Talk Shuffle…