Get your car ready for the Spring season with our simple, 12-step guide...
So you’re a diligent classic owner. You cherish your car, which is why you don’t drive it through the filth of winter. But when it comes to getting it out and ready for a reliable show season, is your inspection regime all it could be?
To help you get your car back on the road and running smoothly, we’ve put together this checklist of items, so you can ensure your classic will be reliable, safe and on the button for the perfect start to the classic season. There’s no time like the present to make your preparations to enjoy the summer.
TYRES
Examine your tyres minutely by removing each wheel from the car and inspecting for tread depth and minute cracks in the sidewall and tread areas. Ensure you examine the bead seat on the inner and outer faces too for deterioration. Remove the valve caps and set the pressures exactly.
BRAKES
HYDRAULICS
Brake fluid should be checked with a hygroscopicity meter, or, if the fluid is black, or hasn’t been changed in the past two years, replace it.
FRICTION
Remove wheels and look for deterioration in flexis and corrosion in metal pipes. Examine friction on pads and shoes. 1.5mm is legal minimum.
COOLING SYSTEM
Check coolant level in expansion bottles and radiator header tank. Antifreeze should be to strength — you can buy a tester for this — then adjust to suit. Examine all hoses for cracks and then check the expansion hole under the water pump. It should have no trace of residue or leakage.
OIL AND FILTER
Check engine oil level using the dipstick and adjust as necessary. Then remove the spark plugs to spin the engine on the starter without any load to get the oil pressure up quickly before you attempt to start the engine. Change the oil and filter for the new season after running the engine to temperature.
FUEL
If you’ve left the tank empty then replenish the fuel with fresh and add your favoured lead replacement additive if your car isn’t converted to run on unleaded. Leaving fuel in the car over the winter can result in a thickening, while ethanol-based fuels can result in corrosion.
WIPERS
With wiper arms removed, drip some oil onto pivot points where they protrude through the body then operate the wipers on fast to work the lubricant in. Oil the links on wiper gearboxes too, then replace the blades as a matter of course. If you’ve used a plastic wrap under the wiper in storage, remove it.
LIGHTS
With an assistant, check all the lights work in accordance with the car’s design. If lamps are dirty inside then remove them and wash/polish lenses. Replace any bulbs that have gone black inside, and also clean the inside of headlamp fairings on cars such as E-types to maximise light output.
SEAT BELTS
Check anchorages by giving a real good pull on belts at floor and B-pillar mounts, then check centre mount the same before plugging in and making sure the seat belt catches are working adequately and not releasing prematurely. If you have inertias, check for the mechanism locking too.
BATTERY
Remove the battery and give it a slow trickle charge to top it right up. Put it on a bench and remove the electrolyte covers and top up with distilled water if necessary. Connect both leads and only then switch the charger on. Don’t place the battery on a concrete floor, as this can damage the plates.
EXHAUST SYSTEM
From underneath the car, examine the exhaust pipes and silencer boxes for corrosion and deterioration, then check each of the rubber hangers (mounts) for cracks and splits — a broken mount can finish off a good exhaust system in short time. Replace any poor components.
PAPERWORK
Ensure you have your up-to-date paperwork in order. Remember, if you need to take your car to an MoT station it must be insured, and the MoT garage must have a record of its appointment for you to drive it legally to the MoT garage, and you mustn’t ‘pop in’ anywhere else on the way.
CLEANING
A real good spring clean is now in order. Wash with shampoo and leather off. Vacuum and clean the interior. Then use a gentle clay bar on the paintwork, wax polish, buff off, chrome polish and/or trim gel, to achieve your personal level of appropriate cleanliness for your cherished car.