As winter settles in, it’s time to prepare your beloved classic car or motorcycle for storage, ensuring it stays in peak condition and avoids breakdowns come spring 2025. While Start Rescue’s award-winning Classic Car Breakdown Cover offers great support when you need it, a few simple precautions now can save you both time and hassle down the road. Here, Start Rescue shares their essential tips for keeping your classic safe, sound, and ready to hit the road again once warmer weather returns.
Guard Against Battery Drain
One of the most common causes of breakdowns during the spring reawakening is a flat battery, responsible for nearly a third (29.7%) of all breakdown call-outs. You can easily prevent this by connecting your car’s battery to a trickle charger or by simply disconnecting it before storage. These steps will help maintain battery health over the winter months, ensuring your classic is ready to start when you are.
Engine Prep: Additives and Antifreeze
Classic engines need extra care to combat the effects of winter hibernation. Adding a fuel stabilizer to the tank prevents the fuel system from deteriorating, a particularly important step for classic cars that may be more sensitive to fuel quality changes over time. Additionally, double-check your engine’s coolant levels to protect against freezing temperatures, which can damage internal components if neglected.
Tyre TLC
Tyre issues account for 6.7% of all breakdowns, so before putting your classic into storage, make sure the tyres are at the correct pressure. Low or uneven tyre pressures can lead to flat spots, which may worsen if the car is left in one position for too long. If possible, consider rotating the tyres or jacking up the vehicle to prevent excess wear on any one spot.
Lubricate Moving Parts
Lubricating your car’s moving parts is a quick and simple job that will make a world of difference come spring. Key areas to focus on include door hinges, suspension, and any exposed metal surfaces susceptible to rust. This minor maintenance step will help prevent rust and other damage, keeping your classic in top condition.
Parking Position: Neutral and Chocks
Another common issue classic owners face is the handbrake seizing over winter. Avoid this by leaving your car in neutral and using wheel chocks to prevent it from rolling. This approach relieves the handbrake and spares you the hassle of unsticking it later.
Wash, Dry, and Cover
Before tucking your car away, give it a thorough wash and dry to prevent any lingering dirt or moisture from causing damage over time. Once clean, a soft, breathable cover will protect your classic’s finish from dust and minor scratches. Investing in a high-quality car cover is well worth it to preserve your vehicle’s pristine condition through the winter.
Get Set for Spring with Start Rescue
“While Start Rescue’s Classic Car Breakdown Cover is always there just in case, a little preparation now will help you avoid unnecessary setbacks in 2025,” says Lee Puffett, Managing Director of Start Rescue. This preventative approach, endorsed by Footman James’ Head of Marketing Katie Delamain-Blunt, can help ensure a smooth start to the season when it’s time to take your classic back on the road.
Start Rescue, a leader in reliable breakdown coverage with a Trustpilot rating of 4.5 stars, has earned prestigious accolades, including the Which? Recommended Provider status for six consecutive years. With a five-star Defaqto rating and the top spot in What Car?’s Survey of Best Breakdown Cover for response time, Start Rescue has proven its dedication to excellent service, reaching 77% of call-outs within an hour and guaranteeing that no driver waits more than two hours for help.
As part of Call Assist, the UK’s fourth-largest breakdown and recovery service, Start Rescue is trusted by over two million customers to keep them safe on the road.
For more tips on winter car maintenance or to learn more about Start Rescue’s Classic Car Breakdown Cover, visit startrescue.co.uk.
