Q: Need to start car after sitting for a year

asked by on February 18, 2016

My car has been sitting for a year. It previously had some transmission issues. What do I need to do to get it ready to drive?

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

P0500 Vehicle Speed Sensor A
Hi there, thanks for writing in. The reason you are having issues finding the sensor is because the vehicle speed information for you model is sent from the Antilock Brake System module. You will need a higher end diagnostic scan...
BMW vs. Mercedes Benz
Those are both high-end, high-maintenace, over-engineered German cars. They have horrendous re-sell value, because they cost so much money to fix and they break down when they are older all of the time. That said, if I had a choice,...
All dash lights were on for two days and now there is no power, no crank, and shorts when jumping.
If you were able to start and drive the vehicle for two days with all the warning lights on before this, did you notice any other issues during this time? You are going to want to start by replacing the...
Looking for a new battery 2006 Chevy Aveo
Hello - the original battery (https://www.yourmechanic.com/question/checking-a-car-s-battery-by-ron-g) group for this vehicle is a Group 86. I would recommend battery replacement with that specification battery (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/battery-replacement) by a mobile, professional mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, who will come to your location,...
Clutch wont disengage 1993 Ford Ranger
Hello - first off, yes, the clutch disc "spring side" faces the pressure plate. Second - several problem could be causing the clutch to fail to disengage. A frozen, or failing pilot bearing can cause the same symptom as a...
Where is the starter on a 2009 Jeep Patriot
On your car, the starter is below the air cleaner box and air tube. You have to remove those, as well as other components to access the starter. Once you have accessed the connections to the starter, test for power...
I was told I needed a new transmission. I am not sure if that is the problem.
If the transmission was always shifting smoothly, but only after purchasing fuel that day you immediately experienced reduced performance, I would first suspect (and try to rule out) bad gas. Excepting frankly easy to detect significant, and non intermittent, electrical...
2012 Ford Fusion power steering warning light illuminated
Your vehicle is equipped with electronic power steering (EPS). When a problem is detected in with ESP, the power steering warning light comes on. One common problem with your vehicle is a faulty power steering control module (PSCM). The PSCM...
Parking brake is jammed and won't release on my 04 Hyundai Santa Fe
Hi Charlie. Thanks for contacting us today. There are two possibilities; that the e-brake is stuck on the rear brake itself, or the cable has broken. If you live in an area where you drive in dirt or off-road frequently,...

Related articles

How an Automatic Transmission Works
An An automatic transmission allows a vehicle engine to operate within a narrow speed range, just like a manual transmission does. As the engine achieves higher degrees of torque (torque is the rotational power of the engine), the gears in...
How Long Does a Kickdown Cable Last?
In In order for a car to run smoothly, the engine and the transmission will have to work together. With all of the different components in the engine and transmission of a car, keeping up with them all can be...
How to Replace Ignition Cables (Spark Plug Wires) in Your Car
The ignition cable, or spark plug wire, carries a signal from your vehicle’s computer to the spark plugs. This is crucial to the ignition system.