Winter Care for Classic Cars

There’s no doubt that classic cars need that extra bit of tender loving care during the winter.

You may decide to store your classic car over the coming months, or you could choose to keep it running. Whatever your preference, you’ll want to ensure it stays in peak condition during bad weather, so here are a few tips to help you keep your car in the best possible shape this winter.

Fresh oil and grease

First, you should consider changing the oil and filter and letting the engine run in order to circulate the fresh oil. New oil will help protect against corrosion during damp weather.

For extra protection, it’s a good idea to inject new grease into fittings such as wheel bearings, suspension and steering. You could also add a drop of oil to the door hinges to stop them sticking if the car is out of use for a while.

Bleed your brakes

Over time, moisture and air in the system can impact on the effectiveness of your brakes making them spongy and less responsive. Obviously, this can be highly dangerous in icy, wet or slippery conditions.

Bleeding will remove air from the master cylinder, brake lines, callipers and wheel cylinders. You will then need to replace the old brake fluid as it will have been contaminated by dirt and moisture. Fresh fluid will improve your braking quality.

You should only need to bleed your brakes every couple of years, but keep an eye out for any indicators that your brakes are not performing as well as they should.

Disconnect or remove battery

It’s difficult to keep a battery charged over winter if the car’s not in use. You could remove the battery altogether as it will then drain at a slower rate.

Alternatively, you can use a battery maintainer to ensure it stays topped up as once it loses its charge, it can freeze. If you’re not sure of the best option for your car, give us a call, and we can advise.

Keep an eye on tyres

Tyres can deteriorate if they’re left standing for a long period of time and pressure becomes low. Pumping your tyres up beyond their normal level could help in these situations.

If your car has been stored and you’re about to get it back out on the road, make sure there are no bulges or cracks, and the tread is road legal.

Keep your car clean

If you’re storing your classic car, give it a good clean inside and out before you lock it up for the winter as dirt holds moisture. The combination of moisture and air can cause iron and steel to rust. Before shutting your vehicle away for months, it’s wise to take your car for a full valet and get it cleaned, polished and waxed.

As well as taking care of the outside, removing debris from the interior will help to prevent insect infestations and other problems.

Would you like advice on winter care for your car?

A classic car is a treasured possession, and at Foster & Heanes we ensure every aspect of its maintenance is taken care of, giving you the peace of mind of knowing your car will survive the winter months unscathed and be in pristine condition come spring.

At Foster & Heanes, we offer car servicing, maintenance and repair for all makes and models of vehicles including classic and vintage cars. Free collection and delivery can be arranged if you live near our Fleet or Dogmersfield service centres. For further information, please visit www.fosterandheanesltd.co.uk