Breathing life since December!!

by **arnoldblackanddecker** » Mon, 06 Jun 2011 9:25 +0000

Hey guys, just a quick one here. The 5 has been sitting collecting dust in underground car park here since decembers snow when I couldn't get the car out. Due to work commitments and switching careers etc. I haven't had the time. New battery being picked up today though. What other stuff should I be worried about...brakes being the obvious but anything else I should be aware of?

by **sidewaysreilly** » Mon, 06 Jun 2011 10:35 +0000

Brakes and a good service.

by **Ozi** » Mon, 06 Jun 2011 11:08 +0000

Did you leave it with only a small amount of petrol?
I guess it's not that long a period, but I've read that petrol does deteriorate over time, so in addition to a service maybe check on whether you should add some petrol additive that will help clean up the system a bit.

I'd think an oil/filter change, check on all fluids and replace wherever possible, especially brake fluid since it might have water condensation and thus fail more easily. Flush and replace!

by **barney** » Tue, 07 Jun 2011 1:12 +0000

others will tell you, if you have a metal fuel tank, to leave it full of petrol or the tank could start rusting and that said rust will eventually cause problems.

by **arnoldblackanddecker** » Tue, 07 Jun 2011 2:23 +0000

Thanks guys, oil change and brake fluid change is on the cards. Very little petrol in it, actually thinking of topping it up with fresh fuel before starting?

by **sidewaysreilly** » Thu, 09 Jun 2011 11:08 +0000

Change coolant and thermostat too. Cheap guarantee.

by **Geese** » Fri, 10 Jun 2011 11:22 +0000

Check petrol, Oils, Water, Damage, electrics and Rubber (tyres and pressures)

by **Mel Walters** » Fri, 10 Jun 2011 11:28 +0000

I left mine for a month and when I started it the alternator stuck and burnt out. €250.00 and an understanding husband later it's now back on the road and will never be "put away" again !!

Mel

by **arnoldblackanddecker** » Mon, 13 Jun 2011 10:47 +0000

Back up and running tonight, just took her for a quick spin. All seems good, but will do all of the above over the next week or two. Incidentally, I obviously never taxed the car since it's been off the road, but someone told me recently they'd done away with the 'off the road' tax form? I have no intention of back taxing it since last November. Surely that can't be right?

by **Paschal** » Mon, 13 Jun 2011 11:19 +0000

Get a tax renewal form from the motor tax office and in the bottom left hand corner there is a section for off the road that needs a Garda signature and brand; simple as that.

by **arnoldblackanddecker** » Tue, 14 Jun 2011 7:58 +0000

Thanks Paschal, great, I've done that before a few years ago with a previous car, but it was rumoured they'd stopped it or were about to. In other news, great to get back into it, been driving the mrs's 206 since christmas and boy what a difference.

by **landmarkjohn** » Wed, 15 Jun 2011 2:04 +0000

As Paschal says off the road period exemption is available at Garda station, I did it the other week.

by **Fergus** » Thu, 16 Jun 2011 1:02 +0000

Mel, you must have gotten that alternator 'before' you joined Mx5 Ireland - otherwise you would have paid a LOT less cash for one :shock:

My cars been off the road since last August due to my shoulder op, does this off the road tax thing allow for claiming tax BACK ? :shock:

I've 8 months of road tax paid since last August and it wasn't even outside the gate :lol:

by **Paschal** » Thu, 16 Jun 2011 2:10 +0000

My cars been off the road since last August due to my shoulder op, does this off the road tax thing allow for claiming tax BACK ? :shock:

[/quote]

Afraid not

A number of years back, my father in law taxed his car three times in the one month. Just taxed the car for 12 months when it was written off outside the house, bought a new car, taxed it for 12 months, only to have it stolen 2 weeks later; bought another new car with another 12 months tax payable

by **mx5ash** » Thu, 16 Jun 2011 7:23 +0000

Strictly speaking you can get a refund but would need to be surrendered when the vehicle comes off the road not after it (although there is one section that states I car has not been used since disc issue)
http://www.environ.ie/en/LocalGovernmen ... 194,en.pdf