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SUMMARY:
- Classic car cruising season is upon us, and Ford has tips to make sure your cruiser is in tiptop shape for the summer
- Owners should do an inspection of all fluids and hoses, as well as a thorough cleaning of the car – both inside and out – before taking it out for a cruise
CONTEXT / BACKGROUND:
Summer is almost here, and for many people that means classic car cruising is about to begin. Taking your car from winter storage to the street is no easy task – things like checking the fluid and hoses, hooking up the battery and, of course, washing every inch of your beloved car are just a sampling of what the job entails. Ford has compiled a list of tips from a variety of sources to make the task a little simpler and get you closer to dream cruising in your classic car.
DETAILS:
It’s that time of year when car shows and cruise events are popping up all over and you’re itching to get your classic car out of storage and ready to shine. Here are some tips to help show you the best way to get your car ready for cruising season.
First things first: Assuming your car was stored with a full tank of gas and fuel stabilizer, you can skip this step. If not, you must drain the old gas and replace with new.
Spots give it away: Look under the car. If there was a problem, spots on the ground would be a giveaway. Color or location of the spill is helpful in finding out where the leak is coming from.
- Red fluid usually indicates the transmission is leaking
- Green-blue fluid means the radiator might be leaking
- Oil on the floor under the front seal indicates your oil seals should be checked
- Brake fluid under the master cylinder indicates a brake issue
Pop the top: Once you’ve inspected the floor, pop the hood. You’ll then want to check the wiper fluid, brake fluid, radiator fluid and oil. The oil should be down as low as it can go; the brake fluid should be high. If the brake fluid is dark brown, that’s an indication it’s dirty and needs to be changed, or the brakes need to be bled. With the hood still up, check the hoses:
- Pinch the heater hoses to ensure they don’t show cracking or hardness
- Squeeze the radiator hoses to make sure they haven’t rotted
- Check the fan belts – try twisting them left and right to check for cracking
If the antifreeze hasn’t been changed in the last 24 months, this is the time to do it. Also, as the car has been sitting for months, change the oil and filter.
Spark it: If your car has been stored for more than four months, next on the list is to remove the spark plugs. Be sure to mark the order when removing. Then spray oil into the cylinder walls, lubricating them so when you start the car, the walls won’t get scratched.
Fully charged: Place the fully charged battery back in the car. The ideal way to store a battery is outside the car, somewhere off the ground where it’s not cold.
Get it started: Now comes the fun part – put the key in and turn the engine over until the oil heats to temperature. Then put the spark plugs back in place. Once that’s completed, get back in and start it up. After checking all lights and the brake pedal, back out of the driveway and take it for a loop around the block. Listen for squeaks or rattles. You will also want to check the defroster, fan, heater and radio to make sure everything is in working condition.
Shiny clean: If you don’t see any problems, park it in the driveway and give the car a thorough cleaning – wash and vacuum the interior, remove and clean floor mats, shine the windows and wax the car.
Sit back and cruise: After putting air in the tires, you’re officially ready to head off to the first car show of the season to show off all your hard work. Enjoy!
QUOTES:
“Getting your car ready for cruising season is almost completely dependent on how you stored it over the winter. No matter, these tips will get your car out there and ready to show off.”
– John Clor, Ford Performance Group communications manager
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About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 176,000 employees and about 80 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and, until its sale, Volvo. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.ford.com.
May 19, 2010