Owning Classic Cars: Winter Preparation
From Classic Car Life
Many people who keep classic cars prefer not to use them during the winter months and this can be a very good idea as the salt on the roads combined with the wet weather and the frosts mean that classic cars are up against the elements. There are a few things you can do before you put classic cars away for storage, or even if you intend to keep using your classic cars, to keep them in good condition for when the spring comes around. Read on to find out more about protecting classic cars and classic car parts over winter.
Winter Classic Car Storage
- If you intend to store classic cars over the winter, you may want to consider changing the oil beforehand. This will ensure that there are no contaminants that are undesired. If it is old, change the oil filter as well, these are readily available from classic car parts shops. If it is dirty, you may wish to change the brake fluid on classic cars too, although this is less of an issue, especially on restoration cars.
- Disconnect the battery of any classic cars before you put them into storage, it will go flat when left for a long time anyway so it makes sense to disconnect it from classic cars.
- If possible, when storing classic cars over the winter, jack them up and leave them on blocks. Take the wheels off and let some of the air out. Store these classic car parts somewhere dry and out of the worst of the cold. If you can’t take them off, put roughly 10psi extra air into the tires.
- A car cover is one of the best classic car parts you can buy for winter, especially if you haven’t got the opportunity to keep it inside. Car covers are excellent for classic cars as they keep them away from the worst of the elements. Keep a window slightly open in any classic cars that are under car covers to keep the air moving inside.
- Although it is not possible for everyone, one of the best places to store classic cars in the winter is in a weather tight garage. This will ensure that any restoration cars or classic cars stay in perfect condition.
- Regardless of whether you intend to store classic cars over the winter or keep using them, make sure you give any classic cars a thorough clean and keep doing so when driving in winter. Salt and grime on the roads will attack classic cars so make sure you regularly clean them, especially the wheels and the underside.
- When running classic cars through winter make sure that you keep any classic car parts in good condition. Keep the window washer topped up with washer fluid; make sure the coolant system has plenty of anti-freeze in it and all the oil levels are topped up as necessary.
