Maintenance and upkeep of collector cars can be quite costly. Whether you own an antique or classic, modified, or a modern collector, the more you run them, the higher these maintenance costs will become. Learning to do some maintenance yourself, though, can save you money and keep your collector car in prime condition.
Tires
Avoid unnecessary accidents, blowouts, and potential damage to your collector car by using the right sized tires for your vehicle. Ensure that they are in a proper condition with sufficient tread depths and air pressure. Also, check for any damage on a regular basis, and remember that a rubber degrades over time, especially if exposed to direct sunlight or higher temperatures. Have your tires checked by a professional if you have any concern.
Oil
Be sure to check the oil regularly and change it as needed. Depending on the mileage on your collector car, you may consider switching to a synthetic motor oil blends designed for high-mileage cars. Synthetic motor oil blends provide greater corrosion protection, reduce wear, protect against higher temperatures and help control oil breakdown. For optimal results, have your oil changed just before putting into winter storage and again in the spring when taking it out of storage. Conventional oil should also be changed after 5000km’s of driving.
Grease
You’ll find that many older collector cars are fitted with grease nipples to allow for injection of fresh grease. Be sure to inject fresh grease regularly to reduce friction and minimize wear and tear between moving surfaces.
Coolant
Make sure your collector car has plenty of coolant to provide protection for your local weather in all seasons. Do not mix long life coolant with regular coolant!
Hoses
Hoses are critical when it comes to ensuring that various systems in the car are operating at maximum efficiency. Over time, some hoses lose their flexibility, collapse, or burst and need to be replaced. Check your hoses regularly to ensure proper flexibility and look for signs of wear. To save yourself time and money down the line, replace the ones you can on your own before they become major problems.
Batteries
Car batteries need regular attention to make sure everything is ready to go. It’s always a good idea to inspect the battery life at the beginning of each collector car season.
Fuel
Avoid burning ethanol fuel in vehicles not designed for it, ethanol fuel can break cork and rubber seals and cause damage to your fuel system. Make sure you burn fuel with the proper octane rating for your engine. Also if your collector car is parked for extended periods its recommended to add a fuel stabilizer to the tank.
These DIY maintenance tips and tricks should help keep your collector car running smoothly, for longer, and for less money.