Starting the car after 3 years 6 months due to Covid
Discussion
I have seen a few forum posts asking what to do to your car if it’s to be left for an extended period - and due to Covid travel restrictions I have just found out !
We parked my wife’s car in indonesia in February 2019, having just had a service, thinking we would be back in a few months. Pumped the tyres to 36psi, disconnected the battery and left a couple of dehumidifier boxes in it. Parked it in the garage with a cover.
Expecting to be back in 2019, work got in the way and our March 2020 trip was cancelled for obvious reasons, we just arrived back here this week, three and a half years later.
The back tyres were at 25psi with the fronts both at 16. Pumped them up, no flat spots - good as new!
Battery was dead and even my trusty CTEK couldn’t revive it, so got a chap to deliver a new one.
Checked oil (still golden colour having only run about 200km), water etc, pressed the start button and the car started immediately - everything works - even the AC. Paintwork is immaculate even though it was covered in Gecko Poo - and two cats had set up home on top of the engine - not sure who had the bigger surprise when I opened the bonnet, myself or the cats!
It was honestly like we last used it yesterday.
Taking him in for an oil change and check over tomorrow, but seriously impressed.
Honda’s are clearly well built !
We parked my wife’s car in indonesia in February 2019, having just had a service, thinking we would be back in a few months. Pumped the tyres to 36psi, disconnected the battery and left a couple of dehumidifier boxes in it. Parked it in the garage with a cover.
Expecting to be back in 2019, work got in the way and our March 2020 trip was cancelled for obvious reasons, we just arrived back here this week, three and a half years later.
The back tyres were at 25psi with the fronts both at 16. Pumped them up, no flat spots - good as new!
Battery was dead and even my trusty CTEK couldn’t revive it, so got a chap to deliver a new one.
Checked oil (still golden colour having only run about 200km), water etc, pressed the start button and the car started immediately - everything works - even the AC. Paintwork is immaculate even though it was covered in Gecko Poo - and two cats had set up home on top of the engine - not sure who had the bigger surprise when I opened the bonnet, myself or the cats!
It was honestly like we last used it yesterday.
Taking him in for an oil change and check over tomorrow, but seriously impressed.
Honda’s are clearly well built !
South tdf said:
Modern cars are fine if left a long time, my parents have a 15 year old Berlingo Multispace at their French holiday home for local use that had not been started since 2019. Apparently started on the key without problem when they went there in April.
Nice one! I was expecting far more problems Sheepshanks said:
Seems unlikely the oil will have gone bad.
I'd be getting the brakes stripped and cleaned though, and the brake fluid at least tested, and maybe changed.
Thank you that’s a very good suggestion - had to delay the service to Wednesday so will get the brakes fluid changed as well. The engine oil looks perfect but it may have degraded in the heat. I'd be getting the brakes stripped and cleaned though, and the brake fluid at least tested, and maybe changed.
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