Classic Car Maintenance Tips For First Time Owners
If you just got a vintage car, you will need to ensure it’s well maintained. Taking care of a classic car is not the same as taking care of a new model. Due to the age and condition of the different components in the car, old cars need a lot more love and care to maintain their vintage appeal and avoid some of their original parts from corrosion. Even though you have a resto-mod engine from revology car shop, maintaining your car is still crucial.
If you are new to classic car ownership, keeping up with the upkeep and maintenance required to keep your classic car in tiptop shape can be a daunting experience. Not to worry though, we have put together an ultimate guide on how to maintain your classic car.
Perform regular checkups on the car
One of the first steps to ensure your classic car is running at its best is to keep an eye out for the crucial areas. To care for the vehicle properly, here are some of the main areas you should always check.
- Change your oil
One of the most important ways to protect your classic car is to monitor your vehicle’s oil levels. Lack of oil can cause damage to any car, but it is worse for older cars. Lubricating and easing high tolerance parts to eliminating micro debris and ensuring that all the filtration is in excellent condition will add life to your engine and value investment.
Most manufacturers have special oils recommended for their older models, which are crucial to help them run how the company intended them to run.
- Changing your filters
Changing the oil includes changing your filters too, and this will be worth spending a little more. Metal parts usually wear, and the microscopic particles generated can build up and cause trouble for your engine. It’s the job of your oil filter to ensure that doesn’t happen, and once the debris is captured, it doesn’t harm the engine.
It’s also essential to change your air filters. Their work is to prevent any dust or particles from getting into your classic car’s engine. They usually experience a build-up of dust and other pollutants quite quickly. While some companies recommend changing the air filters every 40,000 miles, it’s best to check and change it every 20,000 miles, especially for a classic car. You should always replace your air filter with an original one or an accredited aftermarket manufacturer.
- Spark plug change
Most old car engines are susceptible to the conditions of their spark plugs to run at optimum levels. Most manufacturers recommend changing your spark plugs every 10,000 miles to ensure the car is in top condition.
Spark plugs should always be replaced by the recommended manufacturer variety to ensure your engine doesn’t knock. If you notice your car has poor fuel burning or it misfires, then it is time to change your spark plugs.
- Coolant
Ensure that you check the level frequently to ensure the antifreeze/water mix is maintained – usually at a 50/50 ratio.
- Lighting
Legally all your lights should be operational – that’s everything from the indicators, headlights, and even the number plate bulb. Ensure you check them regularly and if there is a problem, change them.
- Check your brakes
If you have a classic car with a loud engine, the only thing that should be making noise is the engine. Ensure to check the brakes to stop them from squealing. It is essential to maintain the brakes to avoid any problems while driving.
- Battery
Batteries on modern cars need to be checked, and it’s no different from classic cars. Check the terminals for corrosion and water and acid levels.
Keep the car clean
The best way to ensure you protect your classic or vintage car is to keep it clean. You should wash your classic car once a week for superior protection. Collector cars will be more prone to damage from grime and dirt build-up making it crucial to know how to clean them properly.
Waxing and cleaning your classic car is essential. Please give it a good hand wash once in a while to keep away salt, dust, and grime that may damage the car’s exterior. After washing, you can add shine to the paint by waxing which can be done every six months. Don’t forget to clean the interior of your vehicle as well. Ensure you use the right cleaners for your interiors upholstery. If it’s leather, ensure you use a cleaner suitable for leather upholstery. It is important to check and change tires properly to ensure that you have proper contact with the road and to prevent any accidents. Before deciding which one is right for your car you can get helpful information from professional car mechanics or by searching for various articles about tires. For example, if you want to find tires that are reliable and durable you can choose from Cooper, Continental, and Bridgestone brands. If you want both durable and long-lasting tires you can select the Bridgestone brand and read specific information about it by checking Bridgestone tires reviews, tire buying guides, consumer reports which will help you to get detailed information about tires’ features and uses.
Tire rotation
Once a car tire has been fitted for most people, they leave it in place until it’s time to change again. This usually works if you have a regular car, but for a performance car like a classic Porsche, it may experience uneven tire wear due to different circumstances.
Older two-wheel drives usually experience significantly more wear on the drive wheels as power is applied. The front tires may experience more sideways stresses as they maneuver into corners, which may be exaggerated by increased speed. Even the four-wheel-drive models can still be affected by driving styles, so swapping tires back and forth every six months for even wear makes more sense.
When driving two-wheel classics on sensitive surfaces, ensure the tires keep you on the road by ensuring the tire’s sizes are appropriate for the car. Tires should also be within the law, and rotating them ensures they last longer.
Store your classic car properly.
Excess exposure of any kind, be it sunlight, rain, snow, or wind, could damage your classic car. Prolonged contact with moisture can increase the chances of rust. Wind could blow objects on your vehicle that may damage the exterior. Direct sunlight may cause excessive heat, which will cause oxidation and damage the paintwork of your classic car, making it look dull. Snow could also make your engine freeze.
Ensuring that your classic car is stored properly during extreme weather is essential; it will protect it from damage and save you a lot of money.