The saying ‘They don’t build them like they used to’ is true in many walks of life and when it comes to cars it’s perhaps for the best.
Older cars are more susceptible to rust and failures. If you don’t stay on top of potential deterioration, the results can be depressing and cripple your bank balance, with breakdown a very real possibility if the engine is not properly maintained.
These issues are intensified in the colder months and there’s no stopping winter’s approach – it is coming and it wants to do unspeakable things to your classic car.
But you’ve probably spent thousands of pounds on your classic and you’re not going to let something silly like plummeting temperatures and a bit of snow scupper your pride and joy.
So what can you do to keep your classic in tip-top condition during the colder months?
Store it
It’s the equivalent of hiding under your bedsheets but at least your car won’t have to endure all that rain, snow and rust-aggravating grit on the road.
However, if you have somewhere to store your classic, make sure you do it right – improper storage can do more damage than driving it through a damp British winter.
If you have a dry, airy barn, that’s the ideal place to store your classic. If not, a wood or brick garage is good too. Try to avoid pre-cast concrete units, which can sweat in super cold conditions.
All machines work best with frequent use, so you need to make sure that your classic gets a regular ticking-over. Once a month, set aside some time to take the car out for a short drive to get the engine up to running temperature and you won’t be left gutted when the first proper drive of spring comes round.
Before you put the car into hibernation, give it a good clean – inside, underneath, on top, every inch of bodywork – and then let it dry out. A thorough waxing won’t go amiss either. Vacuum the interior and clean any leather with a good quality shampoo. Wipe over any wood surfaces with a linseed oil-soaked cloth.
Pump the tyres up to 50psi too, if possible. Of course, you don’t drive them like this but it will prevent flat-spotting.
Charge the battery, stick some petroleum jelly on the terminals and attach it to a trickle charger. If you think the car will lie dormant for four months, disconnect the battery altogether.
Drive it
But what if you need your car all year round? It’s entirely possible to drive your classic through winter without it disintegrating into a pile of rust.
The key to surviving winter driving is maintenance. Check everything: the battery, the tyres, the tyre pressures, coolant, wiper blades, washer jets, washer bottle, fuel gauge.
Make sure your tyres are suitable and will cope in ice, snow and rain. If they’re looking a little tired, sling them because you could be thankful of that extra grip in icy situations.
If your battery has struggled a couple of times in the last 12 months, then now’s the time to get a new one in there too because cold engines need more effort to get going.
As for your coolant, make sure you have a 1:1 mix of water and antifreeze. Changing your wiper blades is probably cheaper and easier than you think.
Happy winter motoring.
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