Not driven in five years

MSSKINNY54

MEMBER
2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA
6 CYL
MANUAL
3,000 MILES

Car has been sitting in yard for five years nothing was wrong when I was driving the car just been not used for the past five years. I know I will have to tow it to get it back driving. So I want to know what all I would have to do or purchase to get back on the road to be driven? Please help.

1 Reply

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,752 POSTS

The only reason to have the car towed to the dealer is if multiple computers locked up from having the battery disconnected or run drained. That is a trick designed in by the engineers at VW but it does not apply to all models and years. You may find the engine starts but will not rise above idle speed.

I would stick a battery in it, then try to drive the car. If it runs properly, the age of the gas can be an issue in some parts of the country. If the level in the tank is low, dilute that old gas by filling with new gas. If the tank is full, and the engine runs okay, try to use up most of that gas before filling with new gas.

Check the sidewalls of the tires for signs of cracking or dry-rotting. I have two cars that regularly sit for two or three years without being driven. The only problem I have run into is the outer tread of the tires flying off. They do not lose air, but it is pretty miserable trying to drive like that with the car bouncing up and down.