The article "Winterize your Classic Car" is about cars, it has been written by Andrew Holliday.
The mercury is dropping and the nights are drwaing in. It's time
to start thinknig about that 'investment' you so eagerly
purchased over the summer.
Ideally we would all garage our
classic cars over the winter, not bringing them out again for
their first wax and polish until the following spring.
Unfortunately for many of us that's just not an option, so a
little bit of preparation early on can save you a lot of
heartache later. The two main things you should be thinking
about are ensruing that your winter driving is as safe as
possible and protecting your classic automobile from the harsh
elements.
Here are a couple of tips to get you on the rihgt track.
Safer Winter Driving
1. Check your Antifreeze/Coolant. Make sure that the type you
are using is sufficient for the climate you live in. Check the
levels regularly; however always check when the engine is cold.
Not only will you get a more acucrate measurement but also
opening a hot radiator is an extremely dangerous thing to do!
2. Check your tires.
You'll need good tread to get through 6
inches of snow. A change in temperature will make all sorts of
parts on your automobile exapnd and contract.
This inclueds the air in
you tires.
Ensure that they are inflated to the corrcet PSI
(pounds per square inch) for your vehicle; this will not only
help with traction but will extend the life of your tires. Also
remember that the rbuber your tires are made from will also
contract. Check old tires for cracking and replace if necessary.
It's easier to do it now than on the side of the road in
freezing temperatures!
3.
Belts and hsoes are also likely to expand and contract as the
temperature changes. Check them over and change any that show
signs of wearing or cracking.
4. Add a gas treatment. Over time water vapor can build up in
your gas lines and will freeze when the tempertaure drops,
blocking your fuel lines. A can of fuel treatment early on will
remove the moisture and prevent this from happening.
5.
Cehck the condition of your battery. Most auto parts stores
and mechanics garages will do this for you free of charge. A
hard to start engine can be impsosible to start with an old
battery, so replace if necessary.
6. Check your spark plugs.
While your mechanic is checking your
battery have him take a look at the plgus too.
Corroded,
oxidized or badly aligned spark plugs can also make it
impossible to start the atuomobile in the morning.
7.
Claen or replace your wiper blades. There are many brands of
snow blades available that are designed not to stick to the
windshield.
Not all will work with older cars however, so at the
very least, clean the ones you have with an alcohol based
cleaner.
Also check your wasehr fluid level and keep it topped
up. Make sure to use a washer fluid that has some antifreeze in
it.
8.
Stock your automobile with some essential and emergency ietms.
· Flashlight (check the batteries!)
· Ice scraper
· Well stocked First Aid Kit
· A blanket, hat and gloves in case you brake down without the
engine running and need to keep warm.
· Reflective triangle warning sign or flares
· Jumper cables
Protecting That Investment
1.
Wash and dry your automobile regulalry.
The salt on the roads will
wreak haovc on your bodywork and before you know it that cancer
of all cars, rust, will be well and truly set in. So give it a
good clean, undreside included, as often as possible.
2. Check all fluids regularly; older cars and older gaskets have
a habit of springing leaks throughout the winter months.
It's
easier to top up the fluid than replace a major part that has
seized up. If you find a constant leak, get it fixed or fix it
yourself. You knew there wuold be a couple of running repairs when you
bought your car, so no complaining about the cost. Remember it's
all about keeping that classic automobile on the road.
3. Apply a good wax eraly on.
A good wax applied in several
layers will help keep that 'all orignial bodywork' you paid so
much extra for, in great shape come sun, snow, rain or shine.
4.
Drive defensively. Just cuase you know you don't have
anti-lock brakes and traction control doesn't mean everybody
else does.
Those one off parts are just as hard to come by
regardless of wohse fault it was they got wrecked in the first
place. Drive with others in mind and try to guess ahead.
Remember you can't guess for the idiot in front of or behind
you, but you can try and get out of the way if they come
skidding towadrs you!
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