• Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech

car has been sitting for 6 months....

  • Thread starter Thread starter gotchopsticks
  • Start date Start date Mar 6, 2012
G

gotchopsticks

Member
Sep 4, 2004
315
0
16
Mar 6, 2012
#1
  • Mar 6, 2012
  • #1
hey guys, im about to return to the states after a 6 month deployment and am getting everything in line for removing my car from storage. im just curious about any steps i should take for getting her running after sitting for 6 months. i've had a friend start and run the engine a few times a month, so im thinking the battery will be charged still, and im planning an oil change of course, the Stabil in the gas is probably close to bad, so a fresh tank of 93 octane to flush the system and maybe a fuel system cleaner as well. new tires will be on order, and a full wash/wax. its a 2002 with 89,000 miles, to my knowledge the wheel bearings and diff still have the original lubricants, should probably change those with fresh fluids right? no issues with the performance, had new plugs about 20k ago and coolant flush less than a year ago. im sure theres much i am missing, so thanks in advance.
 
G

gotchopsticks

Member
Sep 4, 2004
315
0
16
Apr 1, 2012
#2
  • Apr 1, 2012
  • #2
bump
 

trinity_gt

10 Year Member
Jan 31, 2003
3,125
81
99
Canada
Apr 1, 2012
#3
  • Apr 1, 2012
  • #3
Six months is nothing. Drive it easy for the first 5 miles, then drive "normally" until the tank is nearly empty then refill with fresh 93. It would have been better if you'd just left the car to sit for 6 mos without being started. Those kinds of starts just load the crankcase and exhaust with water vapor which condenses into water. This can lead to acidic deposits in the oil and sludging not to mention "accelerated decrepitude" of the exhaust components including the O2 sensors. Change the oil after a 20 mile ride...

You shouldn't need to worry about diff or trans lubes, coolant, plugs etc.
 
F

fullrearview

Member
Oct 4, 2011
65
0
6
Apr 3, 2012
#4
  • Apr 3, 2012
  • #4
1st of all, thank you for your service! Second, Trinity_gt nailed it... Drive it a bit, then change the oil. You should be fine, just make sure it warms up well before you drive it and take it slow for the 1st few miles... If you can, hit the freeway or highway for a good 20 minute cruise, then head back and do the oil.

Good luck!
 

AZmustang98

Member
Oct 19, 2011
373
17
19
Flagstaff, Arizona
Apr 3, 2012
#5
  • Apr 3, 2012
  • #5
If you have 89K miles on the original lubes(rear diff, transmission etc) ... I would change that ASAP.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Drivetrain Rear end clunk
  • seanmahoney
  • Oct 13, 2025
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
3
Views
406
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Oct 13, 2025
nickyb
D
03 mustang Mach 1, 4.6L None Supercharge
  • DangStitches
  • May 18, 2025
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
2
Views
344
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- May 23, 2025
Noobz347
A
2001 Mustang GT, scorched metal smell and noise from trans/diff?
  • AndyE2255
  • Dec 1, 2025
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
4
Views
442
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Dec 28, 2025
gkomo
R
What's it Worth? 1997 Cobra, a ton of mods and restoration
  • riored97snake
  • Jun 18, 2026
  • What is it Worth?!?!?
Replies
2
Views
129
What is it Worth?!?!? Jun 21, 2026
riored97snake
R
B
2001 roush stage 3 - sat for 5 years
  • Brando_05
  • Aug 26, 2025
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
0
Views
249
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Aug 26, 2025
Brando_05
B
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?