I have access to a 2001 DTS with 12,000 miles on it. It has been garage kept and the majority of the miles were highway. Got oil changes every spring and fall until about two and a half years ago, when it was parked. The tires still have air, the battery of course is dead although while it was being used, it was replaced with a Die Hard. What would you suggest in order to get this car running and start using it?

You didn't say if the Diehard was a sealed battery or not, it it'* not top off the electrolyte level with distilled water and see if it will take and hold a charge, If not, pop a new battery in it, check the oil level, and see if it will fire. If so, fill up the gas tank with the appropriate octane fresh gas and put anywhere from 50-100 highway miles on it, with that low of mileage you shouldn't have any suspenion issues or such, but more than likely the tires will be flat-spotted and you will have a thunk-thunk noise from them and feel it in the steering wheel. If the tires have no weather checking on them they'll probably be ok after you put 500 or so highway miles on them. After the afore-amentioned 50-100 miles highway driving, oil and filter change is in order, after that change out the Dex-Cool and check the transmission fluid dipstick, after only 12k the trans fluid should be ok for awhile, but as soon as feasble do a tranny pan drop and filter change and upgrade to Dex VI, they used the Dex III until 2006 I believe. Good Luck!

2004 Bonne SLE, 71 Chevelle SS

Thank you very much for your reply. I think there is still a warranty on the battery, so I will probably just exchange it. The tires are twelve years old so they probably need to be replaced. Other than that, I think I will follow your directions. Thanks Again.
Jim

You're so right, on tires better safe than sorry and it'* generally accepted that after tires are 10 years old they should be replaced, however being that it'* a DTS I'm guessing it has quality tires on it such as Michelins or Conti'* and if so and unless money is no object you might want to go to a tire shop you trust, pay to have one of the tires broken off the wheel and inspected for interior dry rot, if your tire professional says it looks good, you may be able to safely stretch a couple more years and several thousand more miles out of them.


2004 Bonne SLE 132K, 71 Chevelle SS 209K

The other fluids should be done as well. Fresh oil & Filter change, Brake fluid , Power steering fluid, & Coolant. Use GM'* Recommend products specs from owner'* manual.
Once warmed up check the transmission fluid level/condition as well.
When you store the vehicle a fuel stabilizer to prevent gum up should be added to the fuel tank. If you have not started the vehicle in a few years..fresh fuel is necessary!!
Once running on good new fuel, I would use Chevron'* Techron concentrate 2 bottles to high octane fuel and take it for a good highway run with the cleaner in it. That will clean injectors well and restore performance to fuel system again.
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/wcs...0_pri_larg.jpg