POST-WINTER SAFETY CHECKS

Whether your classic car is laid up for winter or occasionally used, there’s often the misleading assumption that if the car was working well when it was put away, there won’t be any problems when it comes to driving it again. This may well be the case, but it pays to at least conduct several checks that will help ensure the car remains safe when it’s back on the road. There are numerous checks that can be conducted, so we’re looking at the safety aspects of inspecting the tyres, windscreen and exterior lighting, as well as making sure the brakes are not seized and the fuel inside the fuel tank isn’t going to cause any issues with starting the engine.

TYRES

A check of the tyre pressures is the very least that should be done after little or no use over winter. Bear in mind that on cars which originally had crossply tyres fitted but are now equipped with radial tyres, the recommended tyre pressures listed inside the workshop manual or handbook may not be relevant, especially if they only apply to the older crossply tyres. If this is the case, ask a tyre or marque specialist for advice on recommended tyre pressures, or ask around within a car club to see what others have done – often getting it right is a matter of experimentation and personal preference.

Winter storage of a classic car whereby the vehicle isn’t moved can result in flat spots being formed on the section of the tyre that’s in contact with the