There are vibrant communities of classic car enthusiasts in Ontario and Quebec. There are already around 30 vintage car clubs in both provinces, with lots of members owning classic cars of all shapes and sizes. So, it’s surprising that many people still have the impression that these cars need to stay in garages to make them last longer.
One of the most important factors for you to enjoy using your classic car for longer is proper maintenance. So, you must have a well-preserved engine and durable tires, among others. The good thing is, there are many tires for sale online in Canada that are suitable for vintage cars.
How To Keep Your Vintage Car A Classic If you’re going to follow the tips presented by infomercials, some products offer miracle cures and guaranteed results to common issues like paint scratches. Some promise to make your engine run like brand-new in an instant. It sounds nice, but the truth is, there’s no magic pill, bullet, or any specially-formulated products that can fulfill these tall orders.
The only way to achieve your goal of maintaining the appeal of your classic car is by having a regularly scheduled maintenance or through a ‘resto-mod’ procedure. The tips below will surely make a noticeable difference in your vintage car’s performance and appearance.
- Replace The Transmission Fluid And Differential Oil
Most vintage cars need to have these important fluids replaced, but it’s recommended that you seek the services provided by professionals if you don’t know how to do it yourself. Expert mechanics usually watch out for metal shavings in your car’s current fluid before refilling them.
If no shavings are seen, the new fluids will be poured into their respective containers. But if shavings are present, the cover is going to be removed. Everything needs to be cleaned up before refilling the fluids.
- Do Regular Change Oils
The usual classic car normally travels a distance of around 1,500 miles a year. Thus, you might have the impression that they don’t need to have their oils changed as often as a new car. But since most vintage cars sit on garages for several weeks or months, their engine oil can break down from dirt, leftover gas, and other contaminants. So, it should still be changed every six months.
- Flush Out The Cooling System
It doesn’t matter if your car is vintage or brand new. Its cooling system needs to be flushed annually. This helps prevent the appearance of corrosion and the buildup of gunk in the system that can negatively affect the airflow of your car. The coolant must be replaced by a new mixture of distilled water and coolant.
- Keep It Clean
The main selling point of vintage cars is their cool factor. Its value will surely depreciate if any unsightly flaws are present anywhere in the vehicle. You need to regularly wash your classic car to remove extremely damaging impurities like grime and salt that can cause corrosion. Also, you need to make sure to clean the underside so that all the parts there won’t corrode.
- Keep An Eye On Your Ball Joints
Ball joints are designed to connect the steering knuckle and the control arm. They should be checked based on the advice of the manufacturer or an experienced mechanic. You can also do this along with other maintenance procedures like oil or filter changes. Ball joints need to be well-greased as it’s one sure way to make your classic car last a lifetime.
- Keep Your Drivetrain Lubed Up
Much like ball joints, most of the components of the drivetrain, such as the driveshaft and u-joints, also need to be properly lubricated. Although this part is relatively easier to maintain, this simplicity might vanish when it comes to servicing them, especially if it has been neglected for a long time.
The only thing that can prevent your vintage car from having issues is by making sure to check if every part is lubricated. This can allow you to save a lot of time, effort, and money in case any part of the drivetrain needs to be repaired or replaced.
- Check Your Classic Car’s Brakes
Ensuring that your car can still run well is very important, especially if you plan on taking it on long drives. This is the part where you shouldn’t cut corners since your safety is very important. It’s also a way to maintain the car’s value. So, you need to see a mechanic at least every six months to bleed the brakes. See if the brake pads are wearing down your rotors unevenly.
- Repack Your Car’s Wheel Bearings
Even though it might be your first time to hear about them, wheel bearings are very important as they support the whole weight of your vintage car. This is the reason why you should always check, clean, and repack them by using the recommended grease at regularly scheduled maintenance appointments.
Conclusion
By following these tips, your treasured classic car might last longer, and it can even become a special gift for your children in the future. Not only will its value hold, but your car’s unique appearance will also be preserved. It will also be a lot safer to drive if you plan on using your vintage car on short road trips. So, the only ‘magic pill’ to make your car run and look better is proper maintenance.
