The new season is here! Time to wake the cars up and hit the road...
- Michelle Hunter
- Apr 16
- 5 min read
Spring into the new motoring season with our quick guide on the top areas to check on your vehicle before your first outings.
So, spring has sprung, and it's time to wake the car up after its off-season slumber. What are the main items to check once you pull back the cover?
Whilst not exhaustive, here are some useful points that may help to make reviving your car after winter that little bit easier.
Tip #1 - Check for visible changes
First things first - have a good look around to see if anything obvious is wrong, or if anything has changed since you parked up.
Has there been any visible deterioration? Corrosion, degradation of rubber components (hoses, tyres etc.) or any major fluid leaks?
It's worth considering that it might not just be you that loves your car... check for chewed wiring, pipework or trim inside the car.
Check for signs of woodworm, as if not treated quickly, they can be incredibly destructive, and can spread to nearby vehicles too!
Check for signs of damp in the storage area too, light corrosion of aluminium, tarnishing of brass and mould on leather and trim for instance.
Tip #2 - Fluids
Fuel
With modern fuels, the shelf life is very limited, so it is usually a good idea to drain fuel from the tank and run the carburettor dry before any long-term storage. To this end, when reviving your car following a period of inactivity, it is essential to ensure fresh fuel is added to the tank and close attention is paid to fuel taps, lines and the carburettor as the system refills. Checking for leaks and correct sealing of the float valve to prevent flooding will ensure a smooth start.
"once fuel degrades it can cause all manner of problems affecting the fuel lines, the filter, injectors or spark plugs." – James Mills, Hagerty
Coolant 'antifreeze'
Check the level and concentration of coolant in your system. Always make sure that you use a good coolant of the correct, recommended strength on your cooling system. Whilst coolant is essential for it's antifreeze properties, it is also vital for its corrosion prevention too. If you aren't running a coolant mix (just water), it's best to drain your system before storage and refill at the start of the season. We would always recommend using a good coolant.
Oils
Check the oil levels in the engine, transmission and axle. Top up or drain and replenish if required. Ensure that any oil drippers or oil tanks are topped up to level and operating correctly when the taps are opened up.
Grease and Lubricant
Carry out routine greasing and lubrication of the chassis, suspension and steering systems. Top up any grease cups as required and don't forget to refill your grease gun and oil can that live in the car!
Tip #3 - Battery and Electrics
Hopefully, the battery was isolated/disconnect during the storage period...? It is always best to ensure the electrical system is isolated to help prevent gradual battery drain and risk of fire. Older electrical systems can suffer with degradation of insulation in the wiring and components due to age, repeated heat cycles (such as in the engine bay) and flexing/abrasion.
It is also worth noting that rodent damage is very common in the electrical systems... so refer to tip #1!
Battery maintenance can often be overlooked. If your battery is of the non-sealed type, remove the caps and ensure that the electrolyte level is above the plates; and top up with de-ionised water if required.
Make sure your battery is fully charged, as charge can be lost over time. We recommend leaving the battery connected to an appropriate battery conditioner if left for long periods. This cycles the level of charge in the battery to help prevent sulphites building up on the plates and subsequent loss of battery performance.
Once the battery is charged and re-connected, carefully check all electrical systems on the car for correct operation. High resistances due to poor wiring connections (Lucar style bullet terminals - we're looking at you...) and poor earths are all common causes of non-functioning or poor performing electrical components.
Tip #4 - Brakes
Though your cars brakes should be looked over regularly, your pre-season checks are a great time to give them a very thorough inspection. Wear, poor adjustment, oil/grease contamination and seized linkages can all contribute to suboptimal braking performance.
Make sure you check, adjust and lubricate all linkages as required.
Check drums and linkages for corrosion, fatigue and cracks.
Check the wear of brake shoes - this may require removing the drums to get a good look. Whilst you're there, you can also check for oil or grease contamination from leaking hub seals or gearbox oil leaks in the case of a transmission brake.
If your car has hydraulic brakes (lucky you!), check the fluid level and condition. If it hasn't been changed for a while, it's a good idea to bleed some fresh fluid through.
Remember!! Brake fluid is hygroscopic, and any water in the brake system not only causes corrosion over time, but also seriously impairs brake fluid performance.
Tip #5 - Wheels and Tyres
Your tyres are the only point of contact between you and the road, and your wheels are the things that keep them in place - so their importance cannot be overstated!
Tyres degrade over time - not just wear, but physical degradation of the rubber, therefore they need careful inspection to ensure they are still safe.
Check for cracking of the side walls, between the treads, around the bead and around the valve system - if in ANY doubt, replace them!
Wheels are also often overlooked. Whether they are wooden, wire, cast or steel fabricated, check for corrosion, damage and straightness.
With wooden, wire and older wheels, carefully check all of the spokes for tightness. A gentle tap on each spoke with the handle of a screwdriver will identify a loose spoke - tight spokes will sound clear and sharp, loose spokes will sound dull and dead.
Check wheel nuts, spinners, hub bolts (or however your wheels are affixed to the hubs) for tightness.
Lastly, check and adjust tyre pressures to the recommended level.
Tip #6 - Paperwork
Don't forget to check the paperwork!
If your car requires and MOT and tax, now is the time to remind yourself of the due dates.
Even if your car doesn't legally require and annual MOT test, it is usually worth getting a specialist to cast an eye over it each year (so feel free to give us a call!). Facilities such as inspection ramps and other specialist tools can catch potential issues before they arise, all helping to make the summer season more pleasurable and stress free!
Check when your vehicle insurance is due for renewal.
Most vehicles are insured using some form of 'agreed value' policy. The agreed value changes over time, so it is always worth considering a fresh valuation to ensure your vehicle is properly covered. Do get in touch with us if you need an up to date valuation.
Enjoy your season!
We hope this article has provided some helpful tips on what to look for when getting your car ready for the fun summer season.
If you feel we can be of any assistance with preparing your car, please do get in touch.
We have a number of bespoke packages available designed to keep on top of routine maintenance, keeping you on the road when it matters most.
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