How To Get Your Classic Car Ready For Spring

The winter is finally coming to an end which means only one thing here at Restoria Classics – it’s time to get driving your classic car again! The days of wind, rain and potholes are (hopefully) done for another year, and spring offers the ideal chance for classic car lovers everywhere to enjoy their prized possession once more.

Before you jump into the driver’s seat and turn on the ignition, it’s important to consider classic car maintenance. You want your beautiful old car to be in the best shape possible for many a drive, so we have put together a guide on how to properly maintain your classic car and have it road ready for spring.

Follow our expert tips and techniques and we’re confident you’ll have another glorious season of classic car riding this year and avoid any costly repairs.

Check Your Classic Car’s Fluid Levels

As with all cars, but especially classics that may not have been driven for a while, fluid level checks are an essential part of regular maintenance. There are three main fluids to be mindful of: coolant, engine oil and brake fluid.

It’s a good idea to perform a coolant flush once a year and replace old coolant with a fresh combo of 50% distilled water and 50% antifreeze to keep things running at the right temperature.

With engine oil, checks need to be more regular – possibly every time you take your classic car out if it isn’t driven regularly. Make sure the oil is amber and free of any unwanted sediment, and fully change your engine oil every 1,000 miles. Of course, this oil maintenance is essential for all cars, not just classics.

Similarly, you should be checking your brake fluid semi-regularly. It should be a lovely soft golden colour. If it’s anything darker, it’s time to flush it out and pour in replacement brake fluid. Overall, you should look to replace the brake fluid on your classic car every year anyway, so if you’re getting it out for the spring remember to replace all these essential fluids.

Inspect Your Tyres

Are your classic car’s tyres in tip-top shape? Tired old tyres will seriously affect your driving experience and even cause safety issues. They also need to be fully pumped up to the defined PSI tyre pressure level for your car to keep them running smoothly.

When taking your classic car out for spring, you should perform a visual inspection of your tyres. The first thing to check is that they exceed the minimum legal tread depth of 1.6mm and you can do this easily by using a 20 pence piece. The outer ring of the 20p coin should fit fully into the tread – anything less and your tyres need replacing.

You should also inspect for any visible signs of wear or damage, such as slashes, bulges and even a stray nail stuck in. Hopefully during winter storage you will have moved your car a few feet every now and then to ensure no flat spots develop in the tyres. If flat spots have formed, replace the tyre.

Test Your Brakes

The best way to maintain your classic car brakes through winter storage is to utilise chocks rather than keeping the handbrake on for a long period of time. This should hopefully stop the brake seizing and mean they will be ready to go when spring comes around.

That said, you need to give your brakes a good test before going out on any drive, especially post long-term storage or restoration. You should also perform essential brake checks on the brake pads, discs and drums when using your classic car for the first time in a while. This will prevent a lot of potential brake problems which often lead to costly repairs.

Get Your Classic Car Serviced

Classic cars should be professionally serviced at least once a year, regardless of the amount of miles driven. Spring is the ideal time to get your car serviced as it ensures everything will be in the best possible condition when you come to drive your classic more and more during the warmer months.

Ideally, you should have this service performed by specialists in classic cars like Restoria Classics and you can read more about our classic car servicing which can be tailored to you and your car’s needs.

More Essential Classic Car Maintenance

As there are so many moving parts in a classic car, there are many more elements that need to be checked, serviced or replaced if you want to get the most out of your pride and joy and keep it in good condition.

Spark plugs are a key part of classic car maintenance, as they can cause issues with your car’s ignition. You should visually inspect your spark plugs for signs of damage and replace any that have become worn or melted.

The battery is another part to consider. It needs to be in good working order and this can be significantly affected by storing your classic car for long periods. To prevent your car battery draining while in storage, you can simply disconnect it from its terminals. Check for any warning signs like residue build up and corrosion in or around the battery before taking your car out.

A good way to keep your car’s engine in good working order is to replace all belts and hoses at least every five years. You’ll be able to see any leaks or other damage to belts and hoses but replacing them before it gets to this stage of engine damage is a good preventative measure.

Don’t forget suspension and steering either – these can often be troubling areas for classic cars. Inspect shock absorbers, ball joints, tie rods and brushings and replace or repair them where necessary. Plus, ensure your wheels and steering alignment is perfect before taking your classic car out for a spin.

Give It A Good Clean

Aesthetics are a huge part of the enjoyment of classic cars. The last thing you want is a bit of dirt taking away from the sheer beauty of your motor. As such, it’s essential to give your classic car a thorough clean, inside and out, before taking it out for the spring/summer season.

We would never recommend you use drive-through car washes as they scratch or otherwise damage the paintwork, so always wash your classic by hand. Even while in storage, you should wash it at least once a month to prevent grime build-up and lessen the chance of corrosion. Get right into those wheel wells and other hard-to-reach places like the undercarriage to prevent rust.

Remember to apply a high-quality wax to your car shortly after cleaning, which not only makes it look nice and shiny but gives it an extra layer of protection from the elements.

How To Store Classic Cars Properly

When the time eventually comes for you to store your classic car away for a long period of time, often due to the poor weather in the winter, it is important to follow these top tips and steps in order to keep everything in the best condition possible.

• Keep it in a dry and well-ventilated garage
• Store all soft-tops with the hood up
• Cover your classic in a breathable car cover
• Take the handbrake of and use chucks
• Disconnect the battery from its terminals and ideally hook it up to a trickle charger
• Add a stabilising product to the fuel tank to prevent debris build up
• Lift the windscreen wipers off the glass if possible
• Use a dehumidifier in the garage to prevent rust
• Roll the car occasionally so that flat spots don’t form in the tyres
• Check on your car every now and then, performing visual checks

If you follow all the advice set out in this guide, we’re sure you’ll be able to enjoy your classic car for many years to come. For more advice on classic cars, check out our blog or feel free to get in touch with our expert team who are full of knowledge.