Take your car out of winter storage

The good weather is here. It's time to take your car out of hibernation.

Preparing your car for winter storage is an important step that should not be neglected. It is recommended to carry out a few checks before bringing it back to life and hitting the road.

Here is a short guide to things to plan, check and control that will allow you to set off again for miles of pleasure.

The best starting point is to look at the ground under your car. An oil leak, radiator leak, or any other leak will be immediately noticeable after your classic car has been sitting for a long time.

Changing the oil: During the winter, oil condenses. It can also become contaminated with water and acids, which can cause premature bearing failure and/or oxidation and rust formation in your engine. Before restarting your car, it is therefore recommended to change the oil and filter.

Charging Your Battery: Even if your battery was disconnected or on a conditioner during the winter, it is always a good idea to check its state of charge and make sure it is at maximum charge.

Check/Replace all fluids: Just like engine oil, all other fluids in your car can be contaminated. So be sure to check your brake fluid, coolant, transmission fluid, differential fluid, windshield washer fluid, etc., to ensure they are at the correct levels. Winter storage can be even more demanding than daily use, which is why it's recommended to change all your fluids if the car has been sitting idle. In any case, remember to change your fluids every two years, just as a precaution.

Check/Replace filters: Check all your filters for dust, dirt etc. and change them if necessary.

Bleeding the Brakes: Check that your master cylinder reservoir is full with fresh brake fluid (taken from a bottle that you have just opened, not the half-full bottle that has been sitting on a shelf for 6 months).

During the next step (tires), you will take the opportunity to check your discs, pads, linings and ensure that everything is working properly without leaks (also check your brake hoses).

Check your tires: Put your car on jack stands and remove all four wheels. Carefully inspect your tires for any signs of cracking on the sidewalls. If you have any doubt about the condition of any of your tires, don't take any risks and have them checked by a professional.

Whether you drive a lot of miles or not, your tires will degrade over time. Bridgestone recommends a maximum lifespan of 10 years for a tire, while some even advise a maximum of 5 years.

Check your tire pressures, and a helpful tip is to inflate them with nitrogen instead of air. Your pressures will be more stable, your tires will heat up less and maintain a more constant temperature, resulting in better handling, longevity, and fuel economy.

Take this opportunity to also check your ball joints, CV joints, dust covers, silent blocks and all other rubber parts and check that you do not have any leaks in your shock absorbers.

Lights!: Ask a friend for help checking all your lights. Replace any bulbs that seem dim.

Lubricate your cylinders: The most damage can occur when starting your engine. If your car hasn't run for three months or more, your cylinders will most likely be dry. Remove your spark plugs and apply some lubricant to the cylinders. While you're at it, check your spark plug wires and spark plugs, and replace them if necessary.

Turn the engine over, but don't start it! With your battery charged and your spark plug or coil wires disconnected, turn the engine over several times. This will prime the oil and fuel pumps and lubricate your cylinders (if you followed the previous step correctly).

You're ready to start: The battery is connected, you've put the spark plugs and wires back in place. Turn the key.
Once started, let your car idle until it reaches operating temperature, without revving the engine. Once it's warmed up, turn off the engine and check for leaks. While you're at it, check your oil level again and inspect your belts.

Now for a bit of driving: Restart your car, check the brakes again and go for a 20 to 30 minute drive.

This will allow all the condensation in your engine and exhaust to escape and also to check that your temperature, pressure and other gauges are working properly.

Choose a route with minimal traffic to avoid frequent stops and starts. Remember to take your mobile phone with you, or ask a friend to follow you, just in case you break down.

Listen for any suspicious noises, make sure the brakes are working properly and that the car is driving straight.

Final Checks: Once you're back home, make a list of any problems you noticed during your test drive so you don't forget to address them. Let your car rest and then check again for any signs of leaks.

Once the car is cold, a good wash and polish and you'll be ready to fully enjoy the sunny days behind the wheel.