How To Safely Return A Classic Car To The Road After Winter Storage

As the mercury slowly rises, collectors begin readying their vehicles for another season of shows, races, rallies, and cruise-ins. To ensure your classic is ready for a trouble-free spring and summer, important tasks should be accomplished before driving.

What the owner does prior to storing the car for the winter that determines the amount of work necessary in the spring. Most people just drive cars into the garage or carport one day in the winter, then one day in the spring try to get the car started. These owners will face a few more to-dos than the ones who properly prepare vehicles for storage.

Important steps in preparing a vehicle for storage include changing the oil, completely filling the gas tank and radiator, adding fuel stabilizer, and placing the car on jack-stands. The battery should be disconnected and trickle charger attached. It is also best to vacuum the interior, trunk and convertible top, as well as wash and wax the whole car prior to protecting with a breathable fabric car cover.

All owners, irrespective of how they prepared their car for storage will want to first check the air cleaner, passageways and interior for mice. These pesky creatures like to build nests in unused cars. Next check all hoses and belts. If a belt looks dry, cracked or if a hose feels like it is crumbling when squeezed, it’s time to replace it.

If oil and filter were not changed prior to storage, it is important to do so before taking the car out. Check all fluids, including transmission, brake and coolant. Coolant should be tested for efficacy at least once per year, and flushed entirely every two years. And for cars that have small coolant leaks, fix it properly rather than by using a stop-leak treatment, as these products are prone to blocking the heater cores and cooling passageways within the engine.

Cars stored without a full tank of fuel likely have condensation in the tank. Condensation removal additives can be found in any car parts store and are quick remedies. Since the quality of fuel has diminished over the years, it is possible that the fuel has already begun to break down, so adding fresh fuel immediately will help. After this first tank of fuel is used, it is also not a bad time to change the fuel filter.

Batteries are the most likely part requiring replacement. Unless a float charger has been utilized, chances are the battery will not be able to maintain a full charge. Mechanics and auto parts stores have machines that can quickly test if a battery will hold a full charge

Next perform a standard safety check, making sure that the horn, all turn signals, lights and wipers work. State law requires all to be in working order. Before panicking over a non-functional safety item, first check (and replace as necessary) its corresponding fuse. Also on cars with cheap factory wire connectors, such as those built by the British and French, it is not uncommon for corrosion to form in just months, breaking live circuits.

Forgetting to check tires can be a dangerous mistake. Even when tread is abundant, tires can dry-rot, making them time-bombs at highway speeds. Always look for cracks in the rubber. Use a reliable gauge to ensure air pressure is within the vehicle’s recommended operating range.

If a car has been stored for more than just one winter, spark plugs should be removed and a quick shot of WD 40 sprayed into the cylinders. Turn-over the engine with the plugs removed. If plugs are fouled or worn, replace them.

With everything checked, it is time to start her up.

Check gauges for appropriate oil pressure. If the oil pressure doesn’t come-up or there are loud knocks, shut off the engine immediately! A little valve chatter is expected, but it should go away as the engine warms.

Finally, wash and detail the car. Use a good cleaner or clay-bar to remove all dirt, bugs and contaminants from the paint, then apply wax. Treat leather and vinyl with appropriate conditioners to prevent cracking. A little rubber conditioner should also be applied to all weatherstrip to keep it pliable.

All that’s left to do is take a short shake-down cruise to ensure that all systems remain functional, not to mention serve as a reminder of how wonderful it is sit behind the wheel of an old car.

published 2 years ago

sbarer

229 points