I have a 1999 Honda Civic that lost third gear. As we had two other cars, I parked it and planned on getting the transmission fixed. Unexpected outlays of cash rendered that to the back burner. Now my daily driver (1999 Mitsubishi Galant) has died but I have the money to fix the Civic. The problem is the Civic hasn’t been moved, or even started, in four months.
When I parked it, I made sure that the gas tank was as close to empty as possible and I unhooked the battery.
So, what should I do before I crank it over and drive it to the repair shop?
Thanks in advance - DESK
Well, I’d regard both of these as mistakes, heading for a third. When storing a car, the gas tank should be full, and the battery should be on a tender. Four months isn’t that long, but there’s a possibility of rust, and that gas is probably ruined - it would be prudent to drain the gas tank and refill it before starting up. Your battery will need charging (and your radio presets are history), you might need to change your oil, coolant, etc., and make sure your brakes move freely. Check the tires, inspect for critters, and look for rust, leaks, and cracks under the hood.
I’m not a real car guy, though, so wait for them.
You could have the car towed to the repair shop and have them deal with it. But I would probably just charge up the battery and see if it starts–as 4 months isn’t that long a time.
Didn’t drive my car for five months (emergency hospital admission, so no preparation to the car):
Tank happened to be over 3/4 full. I needed to jump start the car from a friend’s car to get it moving, and when I got home, couldn’t start it again. The battery had gone to God, so a new one was installed. The petrol seemed to be fine. Once the new battery was in, the car drove just like it did before.
I’m not a car expert, but if the tank is almost empty, even if the fuel in it has gone bad, filling it up with fresh fuel should be sufficient to eliminate any issues from that. I agree that it is unfortunate you did not take it out for a few miles once a month while it was sitting there, but after only four months the battery might even still be good. I suppose the overall condition of the vehicle will depend where it has been stored - in a garage in the South it will have fared a lot better than on a driveway in Chicago (for example). Either way it could have flat spots on the tyres, but I guess you will notice if that is a problem on your way to the mechanic.
I too think it will be fine after 4 months. I’d put as much fresh gas as you can in it before starting it.
Unhooking the battery was the second best option next to leaving it hooked up. A battery tender would have been best.
Also (not sure what part of the planet you’re in), if you’re a fan of baby birds and/or wasps, note that a sitting car makes a great shelter for the nests of these creatures. As was mentioned above, you may want to be sure there’s no critters or nests in/up-under the hood, fenders, etc. Also, if it was parked under a tree, be sure to remove as many leaves/catkins/samaras as possible from under the hood and trunk lids (around the hinges and edges). Accumulation of funk in these areas can lead to quicker rust, and may actually clog the drains designed into those areas of the car. This clogging could ultimately lead to water getting to places you don’t want water.
4 months? Turn the key and go. I have a fleet of cars that I drive less frequently than that and never have problems. But I’m in a very arid place and have lots of battery tenders. Jeeps don’t even rust here! 
For only 4 months, check all the fluid levels to make sure nothing leaked out. Then check the tire pressures to make sure there’s at least enough to safely get to a gas station to fill them up.
Next try to start the car and see what happens.
I left a car parked for that long last year and ended up with a stuck brake caliper. Hard to get it replaced.
My husband’s car has not been driven for over a year, due to his medical condition. The last time I drove it, I noticed the brakes were in need of a new master cylinder (been there done that, know the symptoms) so I did not drive his car while he was in the hospital or since. We had it on a trickle charger but when he was clearly not going to be able to drive, we unhooked it. It’s been parked in our garage so no worries about critters nesting.
Now he’s much better and is thinking about driving again. I know we’ll most likely have to replace the battery, then I will drive it the three miles to Pep Boys and hand them my credit card. When I got my clutch fixed a few weeks ago, I asked the service manager about my husband’s car, and he advised an oil change and general checkup as well as the brake job. Naturally I’m waiting until husband is cleared to drive by his doctors before taking this step.
I may need new tires as well. Any other suggestions, things I should look out for? It’s an early-90’s Honda Del Sol. He loves that car!