What Are Some Tips for Taking Care of A Classic Car?
For various reasons, owning a classic car can be more work than another car. It’s a one-of-a-kind that can’t be swapped in for an equivalent; it’s fragile, valuable, and often your pride and joy. So, with that joy comes much care in looking after it. Classic car owners will want to keep their cars in tip-top shape to have them looking good when they’re ready to show them off, and it takes more than not ignoring the check engine light like the rest of us. Read on for all the details on looking after your classic car.
The Internal
Classic cars will take more care and attention than newer models because technology has advanced and your car has aged. You will need to run over the basics more regularly to maintain the function of your classic car.
Check your fluids regularly, including the coolant, oil, and brake fluid. Mix equal parts water and antifreeze to detox your coolant once a year, and keep it topped up with fresh coolant that hasn’t gone milky or has floating bits.
Check your oil every two weeks before you take the car out to ensure it’s amber-colored and dirt-free. Your brake fluid should be light golden colored, flushed out, and replaced once a year.
While you’re checking things, take a look at your tires. Check the pressure once a month before and after every drive and look at them to ensure the proper tread depth and any signs of cuts, slashes, bulges, or other damage. Tires can develop flat spots if they haven’t been used in a while, but you can avoid this by putting your car in neutral and rolling it back and forth occasionally.
Keep a set of reliable tie-down straps in your trunk for when you’re ready for your next car show.
The Aesthetics
Once you pull your car out of its hiding spot for the summer months, you might need to give it a makeover. To have it looking its best, a clean is obvious, but then she’ll need polished and waxed so that you have protected the paintwork from the rigors of the environment. Keep her clean by hosing her underside whenever you’ve had a drive because the salt from the road can corrode some metal surfaces.
The External
Storing a classic car is as much a part of having it as driving it is. Classic cars need to hibernate for the winter to avoid extreme temperatures and the elements, so keeping them in the garage is best. But garages leak and are expensive to repair, so keep them covered to avoid ruining that wax job you did on them.
If the outside is your only option, you can do a few things to protect your classic car. You can invest in a cover that will be customized to fit your vehicle perfectly and protect your tires by lifting your car off the ground.
Use a Reputable Auto Transport Company to Ship Your Classic Car
When it comes to the transport of your classic vehicle, use a reputable auto transport company with years of experience. The car shipping experts at Number 1 Auto Transport have years of experience shipping classic vehicles. Number 1 will most likely recommend using enclosed auto transport and will be there to guide you every step of the way from pick-up to drop-off. Call or fill out a form today for your free classic car shipping estimate.
