What do I need to do - 2000 Insight with just 6,018 miles

[atlaw4u]

I just purchased a 2000 Insight with just 6,018 miles from the original owner's family and am having it transported to Texas this week. As I could not inspect it in person I had it looked at by the local Honda dealership. They said everything checked out fine other than a few open recalls which they took care of and that the back tires had just 5psi in them.

The original owner was an elderly man who had quite a car collection including a 2001 Toyota Prius - also low mileage. He obviously did not drive the Inisght much and I suspenct it has sat for an extended period at different times through the years. He kept the car enclosed in a shop like building.

I am planning on doing some maintenace as soon as it arrives but would like to know if there is any thing additional I should do.

I am planning on doing the following on day 1:

1. Oil & oil filter change;
2. Replace air filter;
3. Replace wipers; and
4. Inflate tires to 45psi or more.

I'm also considering the following in the next few weeks;

1. Replace cabin filter;
2. Change coolant;
3. Change transmission fluid;
4. Replace the 12 volt battery;
5. Condition rubber; and
6. Wax the car.

Any thing else you would consider?

[Kevin Dougherty]

Remove and replace the old gasoline.

[bryankwalton]

I'd be scare of those tires that only had 5psi in them. 5psi is almost practically zero. Check very carefully for signs of dry rot.

[retepsnikrep]

Originally Posted by bryankwalton

I'd be scare of those tires that only had 5psi in them. 5psi is almost practically zero. Check very carefully for signs of dry rot.

I agree with Bryan, I would def not inflate those tyres to 45psi straight away, use normal pressures initially and check very carefully for cracking/bulges etc over a few days. If you want to be really safe buy a new set of oem tyres for the car and bin the old ones.

When was car last driven any distance? You may get a recal very quickly as main battery might be all over the place in terms of charge, but if it's only done 6,000 miles, then even if it shows an IMA code after a few days it may recover with regular driving over a few weeks. Don't expect normal IMA performance straight away. But you might be lucky!

The rest of the things on your list are a good idea.

Peter

[IMAhybrid]

I'd be worried about the tires too. I hope it wasn't driven to the dealer like that!

[Dougie]

- Don't strip the various threads when changing the oil! (Look around in here for comments on this.)

- Why change the cabin air filter? Without use, it should be fine.

- I'd say the gas is by far the biggest issue. Might try to find a siphoning pump (don't siphon by mouth!) to suck it out.

[Fred]

Nice going!

As for what to do, get the old gas our of that car and get new tires! How long has that car been sitting - unused? As one individual suggested here, DO check them for "dry rot" and if there is any doubt, any at all - replace all four of them and the spare.

Once these issues have been taken care of, go after all of the rubber items under the hood, one after another. As with most mechanical items, these cars were made to be used (as opposed to abused) and not stored as if they were musieum pieces - which over the next fifty years these Insights will all probably be anyway.

Hope this helps ! :-)

Fred / Proud Owner of "The Silver Bullet"

[atlaw4u]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. Sounds like I better get to work.

[Scott]

Check for signs of mice. They love setting up house in cars parked for long periods of time. I had them chew up the underhood insulation and build a nest on top of the intake manifold on my seldom used 00 4runner.

[atlaw4u]

The car arrived today and the tires and rubber look to be in very good condition. I changed the oil & filter, checked the air filter, other fluids and conditioned all the rubber on the car. I siphoned out the old gas, filled it up with a full tank and added some gas treatment/injection cleaner.

I may replace the 12 volt battery later and I am planning on changing the coolant later this week before any long drives.