Are you currently in lockdown and looking to spend some time reviving your classic ready for the summer?!

We are sure you would love to get your pride and joy straight on the road, but there a few basic checks that you should make before your classic is summer-ready.

In our '9 Revs to Summer' guide we will share with you 9 key areas to ensure your classic is ready to go. In this first edition we include the first 3 jobs that need to be done!

1. CHECK YOUR TYRES

Tyres should be checked on a regular basis for tread wear and pressure. Failure to replace badly worn tyres not only exposes you and your passengers and fellow road users to accidents, you're also at risk of incurring severe fines.

Investing in more premium tyres can also have its benefits because cheaper tyres are typically made from inferior rubber compositions, compared to premium tyres. As a result cheaper tyres typically wear down faster than those from premium tyre brands. However all tyres, regardless of brand, will ultimately wear down gradually over time.

Alongside wear, tyre pressures are also vital to keep on top of. If your tyres are inflated at the correct level they'll not only wear more evenly, they'll also be both safer and more fuel efficient too.

The 20p test is a simple, quick and easy way of checking the tyre tread of your car's wheels. Take a 20p coin and insert it into the tread grooves on the tyre. If you can't see the outer band on the coin, your tyres are above the legal limit. The legal tyre tread depth for cars in the UK and Europe is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre, according to law. The tread must meet this minimum requirement across its complete circumference.

TOP TIP! If you plan to store your classic for a long period of time, placing shaped wheel chocks can help prevent against flat spots. 

2. CHECK YOUR BRAKES

A safety critical component, brakes should be checked for visual and physical wear and damage quite regularly. Both discs and drums can wear dependant on use, mileage and braking style. A set of brake pads can last from anywhere between 25,000 and 60,000 miles - possibly more.

A few factors to consider for wear on brakes include the overall weight of the vehicle and what you may be carrying, how many miles you do (is it a daily or weekend runner?), whereabouts you drive (motorway driving includes less stopping so less wear, populated areas include more stopping so more wear!) etc. If you can hear a loud screeching sound when braking it's a sign that new brake pads are needed. A grinding noise can indicate the brake pads have been worn down completely.

3. CHECK THE OIL

Older cars especially require constant oil checks for lubrication. Just because a classic car may have been sitting in a garage or driveway for a long period of time, it doesn't mean that the oil doesn't need changing. Oil breaks down regardless of whether it's being used or not. Also, water vapour is likely diluting the oil whist it sits in addition to the oil naturally breaking down. Another common mistake made is putting the wrong oil in a car. Consult an owner's manual before topping up!

In order to correctly check an oil level, it's recommended to park the vehicle on flat land. Pull out the dipstick and wipe off all the oil with a cloth or rag. When it's clean, put the dipstick back into its tube, pushing it all the way back in. Let it sit and then remove it again. You can then see what the current oil level is and judge how much you may or may not need. You can also judge the colour of the oil, and see whether a full oil change is needed. Running a motor vehicle on low oil levels can speed up engine wear, and will soon turn into a very hefty repair bill. Oil filters should not be forgotten also. Condensation and dirty oil can determine an oil filter's lifespan. 

The majority of classic cars require 20w50, a high viscosity oil that helps to prevent metal on metal contact. We supply the ever popular Castrol and Millers branded 20w50, these brands are currently highly favoured in the classic car market. We also supply a wide range of oil filters.