Prius sitting for 5 years, help needed ASAP!

He says he inherited it, so presumably he is the legal owner. Do any states have age restrictions for owning property? Note that owning a car is legally separate from, and not connected to, being licensed to drive it on public roads.

Being a minor, he may not be able to sign contracts to buy or sell, but that doesn't preclude receiving gifts and inheritances.

Note also there are states ( PA not included) were learners permits are available at his age. I even had an actual driver's license at his age, though all the states where that was once possible have since raised their minimum ages.

 

does asap mean faster than a day?

 

Howdy neighbors. Sounds like you're both within 20 minutes of me too.

Unfortunately I'm on a work trip now, won't be back there until the end of the month.

 

if you inherited it, why are they auctioning it?

 

Do we solve anything in a day around here?

 

Sounds like it’s time to start a local meetup.

When out to see my folks in the greater Wilkes-Barre Scranton Area, I’d stop by.

 

If it was me I'd also do a complete EGR system clean while you're pulling the spark plugs out to add oil. @Mendel Leisk should have links for you in his arsenal and posted momentarily... I think he has a special keyboard shortcut programmed for this task. Maybe [ctrl]+E+G+R?


Pixel XL ?

 

I still think a lot of cargo cult going on here. Sure there could be a lot of things knackered, but why not just fire it up, see what transpires. Yeah check the oil level, tire pressures, and for sure you'll need a jumper cable.

 

But hasn’t the old cargo cult become the new sidewalk to supervise .

But give it a shot and see what happens .

 

great learning experience. consider adjusting the valves too

 

Take plugs out, squirt some atf in. Rotate engine by hand a few times. Replace battery. Change oil and oil filter. Fire up see if it runs. The reason for this is to minimize engine wear due to rings sticking or rusting. The oil is bad, it has absorbed too much bad stuff and broken down. The 12v is dead for sure- don't even risk it. the air filter was also a great suggestion.

 

Bad gas is the single most overlooked item if you turn and burn. Follow the above post, but hook up a remote can of fresh fuel for your initial start and run. If all is good, then remove as much of the old fuel as possible and flush the system before it enters the injection system. Then start with fresh. Even lawn mowers will foul with +5 year old gas...and that's with a simple easy to rebuild carburator.

 

If it was grandma's car, and has been parked for at least half its life, it is very unlikely to have anywhere near enough miles to have built up an EGR clogging problem. Skip this issue for now, just get the car running again. The EGR issue can wait several years.

 

I don't assume to know the mileage. This is a 10 year old car. In any case it's good for the OP to learn about a common issue.

Pixel XL ?

 

Also make sure to flush/replace the brake fluid as soon as you can, but certainly before you do any kind of sustained driving.

 

Yes. They ALL do, in one form or another.

Most places you can't be the legal owner of ANYTHING if you are under 18.

Some places, you can't legally register a vehicle if you don't have a valid drivers license.
Since they usually won't issue a title unless you also register it at the same time.......no registration means no ownership.