8 Tips for Classic Car Maintenance-1

1. Keep Your Eye on Fluids – Watch Their Levels and Condition
Do you check your oil after your classic car has been sitting for a while? Of course you do! But you'll want to do more than that. As a minimum for classic car maintenance, you should periodically "preflight" your classic by checking levels for oil, coolant (if that applies!), brake fluid, power steering fluid, (again, if you have it) transmission fluid, and differential fluid. Got a Citroen? Then you'll need to check the hydraulics as well – but remember, "blinker fluid" is just a joke we tell each other.

It's never a bad idea to leave plain white office paper under known leak spots so you can get a quick idea of what's leaked out – but remember that some fluids also evaporate, while others can migrate elsewhere in the car, away from where they are needed.

2. Keep Your Classic Car Clean and Dry
Can you harm your classic just by letting it get dirty? You'd be surprised. On the exterior, dust and dirt buildup can hide the appearance and development of rust and corrosion – or even aid the process. Under the hood and in the running gear, excessive dirt can act as an insulator, raising the temperature of critical fluids or components. It can also contaminate your fluids when you check or change them. So while you don't need to keep most cars in 100-point concours condition all the time, you shouldn't let them get dirty enough for onlookers to inquire after "the original color."

3. Properly Store with Care
The easiest way to keep your classic clean and dry? Indoor storage on a hard floor with the appropriate car cover. Why a hard floor? Because condensation tends to rise off the ground on gravel or dirt floors, increasing underbody and frame corrosion. We also gave some great storage tips so don't be afraid to use them.

4. Original Parts – Stay on Top of Your Perishables
Many older classics, particularly prewar and classic British cars, have perishable wear components. The Ford Model T, as an example, originally used "Scandinavian" cotton drum liners for the transmission. Today, many owners exchange that for Kevlar – but if you're keeping it original, then you're going to be responsible for the condition and lifespan of those perishable bands. There's a surprising amount of leather, wood, cotton, and canvas in older cars. Make sure you know where it is, what it does, and how to check its condition.