2008 Kia Sportage Car sitting for 2 years

JUSTAMOM003

MEMBER
2008 KIA SPORTAGE
6 CYL
AWD
AUTOMATIC
52,000 MILES

This car has been parked for two years only being driven twice. Once in March 2014 for 54 Miles without problem and another time test driven in December of 2014. We will be changing the battery, oil, and filter and rotating tires. Are there any other immediate issues we should be concerned about before running this vehicle? Front brakes only had about 200 miles on them before the car was parked as I went out of state for 2 years.

Thank you,
Diana

1 Reply

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,871 POSTS

I have two cars that are seldom driven and the gas in them is well over five years old. That hasn't been a problem so far, but in some areas of the country gas will go stale in as little as a month. If your engine runs poorly, run as much gas out as you can stand, then add fresh gas.

Brakes wear out from use, not from sitting. What WILL happen is rust will build up on the rotors from the humidity in the air. That will cause a grinding sound and possibly easy wheel lock-up, especially on unpaved roads. That will go away after a few brake applications.

Don't get excited if some things don't work after replacing the battery. Fuses often blow from the current surge when computers charge up when the battery is reconnected. Look for any blown fuses under the hood and inside the vehicle.