Just as there’s an essential checklist when putting your vehicle into long term car storage for winter, so there’s an art to reintroducing your pride and joy onto the road. Read on for Windrush’s expert advice on spring car maintenance checks to have your car ready for spring.
Here’s a checklist on preparing your car for spring
Wait for the salt to disappear
It’s all too easy to get excited about spring as soon as there’s a peek of blue sky, but we recommend sitting tight for another month or so to be sure. As difficult as this may be when you’re simply itching to get out in your car, for the long-term preservation of your beloved car, you need to make sure the salt on the road has completely disappeared. Salt can cause all sorts of problems as it silently attacks the underneath of your vehicle. To get the full picture of how damaging salt can be, take a look at our blog ‘Road Salt & Cars’.
To be safe, it’s best to stay parked in covered car storage until the temperature no longer dips below freezing at night. And then hope that the April showers start early – a few big downpours will wash the salt away for good.
Book a service and MOT
Why wait until the sun is out to book your car in for its service or MOT? Get ahead of the game and book yours in before everyone else – that way, when spring comes in all its glory, you can focus on enjoying it in your motor. Even collectible cars that don’t do many miles will need a regular service and inspection – if you are in any doubt, just ask us and we can take care of the inspection processes for you.
Do the paperwork
For many owners, out of sight means out of mind, and it’s easy to overlook your vehicle’s documentation. Before you blow off the cobwebs, be sure to check that your tax and insurance have been taken care of. Alternatively, simply enlist Windrush’s luxury car storage team and let us fill in the forms so you don’t have to. Checks to be made:
- Vehicle tax is current and paid
- Insurance coverage is active
- MOT certificate is valid
- Breakdown cover is in place
- Service schedule is up to date
Check the tyres
Because of their typically low mileage, it’s unusual for tyres to wear out on a collectible car – more likely the tyres could be out of date. A quick check of the date stamps will tell you all you need to know.
As we’ve said before, when putting a car into storage, it’s wise to increase the tyre pressure by as much as 50%. Naturally, you’ll want to correct this before taking to the roads, returning the levels to the manufacturer-recommended PSI. Here’s a checklist:
- Return tyre pressure to manufacturer-specified PSI levels
- Inspect each tyre thoroughly for cracks, bulges or unusual wear patterns
- Check tread depth to ensure legal compliance (minimum 1.6mm across the central three-quarters)
- Examine valve stems for cracks or damage
- Consider wheel alignment if the vehicle has been stationary for months
Check all fluid levels
Don’t even start the engine until you’ve checked all fluid levels. Of course, you’ll want to make sure your awakening car has sufficient oil – but depending on what you’re driving, also establish the status of your antifreeze, power steering fluid, brake fluid, transmission fluid (in an automatic) and windscreen washer fluid. The full checklist is:
- Engine oil: Check level and examine color (should be amber to light brown, not dark or gritty)
- Brake fluid: Ensure proper level and replace if over two years old
- Power steering fluid: Verify level and inspect for discoloration
- Coolant/antifreeze: Check level and condition
- Transmission fluid (for automatics): Inspect level and color
- Windscreen washer fluid: Top up with high-quality solution
Check battery health
At Windrush, we keep a close eye on each client’s battery during long term car storage, using professional battery conditioners to keep the heart of your vehicle healthy. If you’re returning to your car after a long spell off the road, be sure to check the status of your own battery, giving it a slow charge if necessary and clean the terminals to remove any corrosion.
Check dashboard controls
You don’t want to be travelling at 60mph when you discover that some of your vital dashboard controls aren’t working. Turn the key for the first time in a safe environment like your driveway and run through the core functionalities like horn, headlights and indicators. Treat the process almost as if the car was going for an MOT. This fine-tuning comes as standard as part of Windrush’s long term UK car storage service.
- Watch for warning lights that remain illuminated after the initial system check
- Pay particular attention to the engine management light
- Ensure all gauges function correctly
- Update the clock to current time
- Reset trip computers if necessary
Refresh the fuel
Petrol degrades when a vehicle lies idle, so if yours is a little hesitant to start, it might be because the fuel has gone off. When you bring the vehicle back to the land of the living, top it up with fresh fuel (ideally E5) to avoid the frustrating lack of power associated with cars that have spent a long period off the road. The full checklist is:
- Add fresh, high-quality fuel (E5 where available) to dilute any degraded fuel
- Consider a fuel system cleaner to remove any deposits that may have formed
- Listen for any unusual fuel pump noises during initial start-up
- Be prepared for slightly rough running initially, which should smooth out after a few miles
Wash the car
While Windrush’s premium car covers and climate-controlled environment minimize dust accumulation, home-stored vehicles often require thorough cleaning:
- Wash with pH-neutral shampoo using the two-bucket method
- Inspect paintwork for any new imperfections
- Apply a quality wax or sealant for spring protection
- Clean wheel arches thoroughly to remove any accumulated debris
- Consider protective treatments for trim and tyres
Plan a road trip
It’s never too early to start planning a road trip. We’ve got lots of great driving destination ideas, from day trips to longer driving tours, both in the UK and further afield. If you’d like help planning a road trip, or booking places to stay and dine, just get in touch with us – we can even arrange to have your car transported safely to meet you at your destination.
Long term UK car storage that goes the extra mile
The checklist above will give you a good steer on preparing your car for spring – but the easiest option is always to choose Windrush’s long term UK car storage. We’re famous for our induction programme (which includes everything from a professional wash to luxurious covered car storage) and renowned for the ongoing maintenance schedule that keeps your vehicle on point throughout its stay – you can read more about the benefits of indoor car storage versus outdoor car storage in our blog.
But did you know that Windrush can also take care of every last detail when you’re ready to stretch your car’s legs? Whenever the fancy takes you, just let the team know and we’ll attend to everything your vehicle needs before departure – right down to setting the time on the dashboard clock. It’s all part of the service.
Contact the Windrush team to ask about our covered car storage in London and the Cotswolds. We’re ready to help you on info@windrushcarstorage.co.uk.
