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Luckily we live in The Pacific Northwest, where it doesn’t get too cold. But still can get down to -7°C or about 20°F at the coldest time of year. Summers aren’t terribly hot either.

Any ideas on what I’m going to need to get her up and running again? I would assume I should drain the fuel.

Before storage, I removed the battery and added a fuel stabilizer. Also topped up the gas tank to help prevent condensation from adding up. Not sure how well that will all help, but I would love some advice here.

Thanks in advance!

 

I would honestly just try and start it as is (just check all the fluids first, obviously) With the tank topped fully topped off I bet that fuel is still good enough..

I’d bet it will fire right up as long as it didn’t have issues before.

once you verify it runs ok and get it warm definitely change the oil, wouldn’t hurt to do a coolant and brake fluid flush too

 

I agree with NEGD3- try just firing it up. Since you added fuel stabilizer it should be fine. Good job preparing it before parking it. An oil change is probably a good idea. Unless it's due I personally wouldn't mess with anything else.

 

Great advice, thanks! I guess my anxiety is just a lot higher than it should be because it started up just fine and purred like a kitten. We did change the spark plugs and spray some fogging oil into the cylinders which took no more than an hour. The fogging oil really smoked up the place! At least I think it was the fogging oil.

 

Thanks! Yeah, it did start up just fine. We added some fogging oil and changed the spark plugs and she's purring like a kitten. Couldn't believe how well she runs after 11 months of sitting.

Only thing I should have done differently is put in premium, non ethanol fuel before storage. Also, we had a bit of mold, but that just wipes away from the sythetic seats. So maybe some silica gel packs next time?

 

We keep a box of baking soda in our Fit to help with moisture and odor. As you said, non-ethanol fuel is also a good idea for long term storage.

 

Might want to check the rubber/plastic parts, especially hoses and belts, but also the tires. They're probably fine, depending upon the age of the car. Also the brakes.

 

good call I’ll get a box of sodium bicarbonate. Problem is in our neighborhood we can’t store ANYTHING in our car lest someone breaks in. I’m probably exaggerating, but last time someone broke in it was a $3000 glass replacement job and $500 deductible. Insanity.

 

thanks! All is well but I really think we need to do a valve adjustment.

were at about 180k km so about 110k miles. Anything you can think of in terms of maintenance? She’s probably a bit neglected

 

Same break-in issues here in the San Francisco Bay Area. I always remove my cargo cover even at my home's underground gated parking lot.

 

If I remember correctly the valve adjustment should be completed every 30,000mi (48.280km).
I would also check your intake filter to see if anything has moved in there and cabin filter due to the mentioning of mold.
While you are checking your intake filter check the wiring and see if anything has been chewing on them.
Tire pressure, roundness (aka flat spots) and cracking in the rubber <- I know this has been motioned before.
Coolant level maybe a hose cracked and leaked some out or evaporation.
I would check the break/clutch fluid for water intrusion; because hydraulic fluid is hygroscopic.

 

Change the oil. Oil change is according to maintenance minder or ever year. So 11 months is nearly a year.